Eighth Army 10-Miler Team Headed to D.C.

By SFC Jimmy Norris, Eighth Army Public AffairsOctober 1, 2015

Eighth Army 10-Miler Team Headed to D.C.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

YONSGAN GARRISON, South Korea -- Some of Eighth Army's fastest runners will soon have the opportunity to test their speed and endurance during the Army 10-Miler, Oct. 11 in Washington D.C.

Touted by the event's Web site as the Army's premier running event, the Army 10-miler is the third largest 10-mile race in the world and attracts thousands of participants annually.

This year's Eighth Army team, consisting of five men and three women, was selected after a June 6 qualifying race at Camp Casey, Korea. More than 100 Soldiers competed for the chance to represent 8th Army in Washington D.C.

According to team manager Lavon Washburn, this year's team may place a little better than last year's seventh place finishers.

"If you look at it on paper this team is a little faster than last year," he said. "I'm looking forward to placing in the top five this year."

Returning team member Capt. Robert Anderson, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 719th Military Intelligence Battalion, voiced a similar opinion, saying at least three of the runners on this year's team are capable of running the race in less than 60 minutes.

"We have little bit stronger runners this year," said Anderson, a three-time qualifier for the Eighth Army team. "And one of the advantages of coming from Korea is the Camp Casey course is hilly. The D.C. course is flat, so we're generally going to run about a minute faster."

According to the Army Ten Miler home page, http://www.armytenmiler.com/, "the mission of the Army Ten-Miler is to promote the Army, build esprit de corps, support fitness goals and enhance community relations."

Produced by the U.S. Army District of Washington, the race has occurred annually since 1985. Over the last 20 years 344,312 runners have participated. More than 800 teams are registered to run this year.

This year's Eighth Army team members are Capt. Robert Anderson, Maj. Joseph Borg, Sgt. Pahng Seong Ho, Maj. Joshua Eggar, Maj. Curtis Bowe, 2nd Lt. Jessica Knoll, 2nd Lt. Michelle Hortsman and 1st Lt. Hannah Scott.