Alexandria, VA Resident Julie Socher Tops Worldwide Votes in Annual Design Contest for 25th Anniversary Race
WASHINGTON, DC - We have a winner! After competitive online voting worldwide, the Army Ten-Miler (ATM) announced today that Alexandria, Virginia resident Julie Socher is the grand prize winner of the annual ATM T-shirt Design Contest.
Ms. Socher will receive a $1000 cash prize and her award-winning design will be featured on more than 30,000 official race and volunteer t-shirts for the Army's 25th anniversary race.
Second place winner is Bizunesh Mulu of Jersey City, NJ who will receive a $500 cash prize. Third place winner is Paul Woodbury from Camarillo, CA who will receive a $250 cash prize.
The ATM is America's second largest 10-mile running event and an annual Army tradition held at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. This year the Army will celebrate the 25th running of its annual 10-mile race on October 4, 2009 in Washington, DC (www.armytenmiler.com).
Desiring to make the viewer know immediately where the race takes place, Socher's winning design outlines the shape of the U.S. Pentagon with an illustration of the U.S. Capitol centered in the middle of a waving red, white & blue United States flag. Dangling silver dog tags with an embossed Army star overlay the design and announce the 25th Anniversary celebration. The American bald eagle boldly sits on top with a group of striving runners underneath.
"First, I am thrilled to even be considered in the top five designs and to win first place is an absolute honor" says Socher. "I entered the contest not only for my love of art and design but in support of our men and women serving in our great Army. I think we all have a sense of pride for our military as well as a need to remember the events of 9/11."
Socher, 27, is a graphic design professional and works for a Washington-area digital imaging consulting company. She also received third place for her design in the 2006 ATM T-shirt Design Contest.
Open to all U.S. residents age 18 and older, the ATM received more than 100 entries for this year's T-shirt Design Contest from artisans, designers and amateur artists nationwide by a June 1 deadline.
The ATM required that designs must be original artwork and reflect the unique tradition and experience of the Army Ten-Miler, to include the 25th anniversary theme and embrace the spirit of running.
A Blue-Ribbon Committee judged all submissions and selected five top designs and posted the frontrunners on the ATM website for online voting. From June 10 - 19, this year's 30,000 registered runners were able to vote for their favorite design.
The ATM received more than 4,000 online ballots and Ms. Socher topped the design challenge by winning the most votes with a 40 percent landslide margin victory.
"Julie Socher's winning t-shirt design truly captures the spirit and theme of this year's Army Ten-Miler 25th anniversary race," says Jim Vandak, race director. "We're delighted to include her creative artwork on this year's special anniversary T-shirt and know it will inspire and motivate everyone associated with this year's race."
# # #
About the Army Ten-Miler
The Army Ten-Miler is an annual Army tradition. The 25th Anniversary of the Army's Race is scheduled for Sunday, October 4 in Washington, D.C. This unique road race has both its start and finish lines at the Pentagon. Race weekend activities include a two-day race expo, fitness clinics, youth runs, post race party and HOOAH tents from Army installations around the world.
The ATM is produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW), with proceeds benefiting Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation, a comprehensive network of support and leisure services designed to enhance the lives of Soldiers and their families. The mission of the Army Ten-Miler is to promote the Army, build esprit de corps, support fitness goals, and enhance community relations. For more information about this prestigious race, visit www.armytenmiler.com.
Social Sharing