On Sunday, Oct. 21, members of the West Chester University Army ROTC Company traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2012 Army Ten Miler. Using funds generously donated by Brigadier General Richard Merion, team members Ben Sugarman, Dave Bollenbach, Drew Stump and Jonathan Guelzo joined over 30,000 other runners in the Nation’s capitol to run the second largest ten-mile race in the country.
The night before race day, the runners visited the local museums, finding motivation for their upcoming challenge at the Museum of American History, and taking in the sights of our notable buildings of government. Following this, they fortified themselves with some excellent local food before getting the rest they would need for the next day.
The day of the race was perfectly clear, and in spite of an initial chill that greeted the throngs of runners as they gathered on the start line next to the Pentagon, the anticipation of the run and a thrilling demonstration by the Black Knights of West Point kept all ready for the starting gun.
Due to the size of the crowds, the starting times were staggered, but sensors in the runner’s bibs ensured an accurate start and finish time for all runners. Once the run started, it wound its way through the grounds of the Pentagon, across the Potomac, past several monuments, and then through the heart of the city before looping back the way it had come.
At each mile marker, Army bands were playing marches or live singers were belting out songs. The DC National Guard staffed water tables every three miles, and cheering crowds provided motivation at every corner; ringing cowbells and displaying signs of encouragement. Most notable were the large numbers of amputees, war veterans who were either running the route on special prosthetics, or walking with heavy rucksacks.
Their presence was a constant motivation to all runners. The West Chester Cadets stayed together for the entirety of the run, representing the University with Nike running shirts sporting avv ram’s head on the chest.
They crossed the finish line an hour and 20 minutes after the start of the race, having consistently maintained an eight-minute mile. Despite this solid finish, they were amused and humbled to see the running time of the race winner, who completed all ten miles in just 47 minutes.
While they all agree it is not likely that they will best this time in the future, they will all participate in the Ten Miler next year, and encourage any who are interested to do so as well. After all, if an amputee can run ten miles on one leg, anyone with two is certainly able to as well.
Jonathan Guelzo is a fourth-year student majoring in professional studies with minors in history and political science. He can be reached at JG753753@wcupa.edu.