FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Nine Soldiers from Fort Eustis put the rubber to the road at the 28th Army Ten-Miler race at Washington, D.C., Oct. 21, securing third place honors in the Active Duty Military mixed division of 79 teams.
Colonel Thomas Wetherington, 733rd Mission Support Group commander, hosted the team at the group's weekly staff meeting to congratulate them on "a job well done."
"You are a group of great Soldiers that took the initiative to come together and form a very formidable and dedicated team to represent Fort Eustis. It's very impressive," said Wetherington, as he recognized the team. "It's only appropriate for us to come forward and recognize this accomplishment, because it's a big deal.
"You have represented the Army to the highest degree," the colonel added, pressing commander's coins into the team members' palms as he shook their hands.
Second Lt. Bryce Livingston, the 73rd Transportation Company's executive officer, served as a training coach for the team leading up to the event. Beginning in August, he rallied the Soldiers three days a week for runs to prepare them for success in October.
"There wasn't much to build off of, so we started from scratch and sought out interested runners for tryouts," said Livingston, citing his experience with the Army Track and Cross Country Team at his alma mater, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. "Our early morning training plans worked, as everyone finished in the top three in their age group at the Mulberry Island Half-Marathon. We blew it out of the water."
Despite their intense training regimen, the team finished third in the wide field of runners. However, Livingston said they were "right where they planned to be." He trained the team to aim for a time of 4 hours, 2 minutes, 10 seconds - the first place time from last year's race.
The team posted a near-identical time, finishing the 10-mile race in 4:03:54, not even two minutes off 2011's best time.
"Last year, we would've won, but this year, the first and second place teams had some pretty good runners and distanced themselves from us," Livingston said. "But we ran exactly where we were supposed to run, and I'm proud of that. I don't think Fort Eustis has ever placed that high in the race."
Encouraged by the teams' synergy and success, the lieutenant plans on taking a team back in 2013, with their eyes squarely on the prize.
"Next year, I want to get the ball rolling and develop more support, recruit great teams and win it all," Livingston said. "We couldn't have done it without support from the commands, and we hope to get that same support next year."
First Lt. Jocelyn Lewis, assigned to the 558th Trans. Co., said "everyone is really proud of their accomplishments," citing the team's dedication and training as key to their success. She encourages anyone interested in running to "just do it."
"Just start running," Lewis said. "You have to start small and build up. It's all about your training program and dedication."
Team Members and Results
Maj. Kathryn Pegues, Army Capabilities Integration Center: 1:10:57
1st Lt. Jocelyn Lewis*, 558th Trans. Co., 7th Sustainment Brigade: 1:24:31
1st Lt. Michelle Miller, HHC, 7th Sus. Bde.: 1:10:15
2nd Lt. Bryce Livingston, 73rd Trans. Co, 10th Battalion: 0:52:20
2nd Lt. Blaine O'Reilly, 149th Trans. Co, 10th Bn.: 0:54:11
Sgt. 1st Class Danny Weatherly, A Co., 1-210th Aviation Regiment (Team NCOIC)
Staff Sgt. Kyle Daun, 221st Military Police Detachment: 1:07:09
Pfc. Benjamin Acevedo, 558th Trans. Co, 7th Sus. Bde.: 1:12:14
Pfc. Justin Murphy, 558th Trans. Co., 7th Sus. Bde.: 1:07:54