By SKIP VAUGHN
Rocket editor
skip.vaughn@htimes.com
WASHINGTON - After all the congratulations for finishing first for the third straight year, the news got even better for members of Redstone's Army Ten-Miler team.
The runners learned they had won two first-place awards for the first time in Redstone Arsenal's history of competing in the 25th annual event.
Redstone finished first in the government agency division for the third year in a row at the 10-mile race held Oct. 4 near the Pentagon. Redstone also had an entry in the all-comers division. Preliminary results announced at the awards ceremony had Redstone Two finishing second among the all-comers. However, the official results on the Army Ten-Miler website subsequently had Redstone Two finishing first in that division as well.
So, Redstone Arsenal swept both the government agency and all-comers divisions for the first time. The Army Ten-Miler office was notified of its earlier discrepancy and promised to settle the matter by Oct. 15.
"I think that was just human error (on the preliminary results)," Redstone coach Harry Hobbs said.
Redstone One finished first in the government agency division with a total time of three hours, 51 minutes and 51 seconds for its top four runners. Aberdeen Test Center was second with 3:54:36 and HRC (Human Resources Command) Patriots Red placed third with 4:16:31.
Redstone Two won the all-comers division with 4:15:11 followed by McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst/Myer with 4:21:06 and Third Army Road Racers with 4:22:56.
"It was good chemistry and good training," Hobbs said. "They treated us like champions and we ran like champions. We had great support from the Garrison, MWR, AMCOM and AUSA. We dedicated the run to one of our runners (Greg Reynolds) whose child was stricken with an illness."
The Redstone/Huntsville and Fort Rucker chapters of the Association of the U.S. Army combined to provide a "Hooah" support tent for their respective runners, complete with food and a warmup area.
"We had a five-year vision that we would get our own Hooah tent and we would be a number one team," Hobbs said. "We had four tents, food, a warmup area for the runners and we had Astroturf on the floors of the tent. How could we not perform'"
Redstone One was again paced by David Riddle, an aerospace engineer with the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center. The former Auburn University runner finished in 51:31, good for 16th place out of 21,289 finishers.
"I'm proud of everybody on the team," Riddle said. "Their runs this year bring home two first-place trophies, something Redstone's never done before.
"My time wasn't quite as fast as last year (50:51) and my place wasn't as good but the race attracted some very good runners this year. The depth of the competition was much higher. I'm still happy with my race, all things considered. I'm pleased with how I ran. I'm glad we brought home two first places. I think everyone worked very hard this year to get us where we are. I'm proud to be on the team. And thanks to AUSA and everybody who supported us."
Tim Vinson, 45, an assistant product manager at the Program Executive Office for Aviation, finished in 58:54, a personal best by almost three minutes.
"It was a great team effort," Vinson said. "Everyone ran well. And I attribute our performance to hard work, good team chemistry and very nice weather."
Other members of Redstone One included Brad Schroeder (57:04), Jason Reneau (1:04:23), Capt. Laura Matejik (1:14:53), Hobbs (1:24:09) and Col. Bob Pastorelli (1:27:41). Reynolds was unable to make the trip.
Redstone Two included Maj. Brian Hackenberg (59:23), Jason Gilliam (1:04:32), Nathan Graham (1:05:38), Randy McFarland (1:05:39), Brett Wilks (1:07:07), Liz Biondi (1:19:56), Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Cooper (1:28:30), and assistant coach Skip Vaughn (2:02:26) in his comeback from major knee surgery.
Alene Reta, 27, of New York, N.Y., and top female finisher Samia Akbar, 27, of Herndon, Va., both set course records of 46:59 and 55:25, respectively.
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