Soldiers commemorate Army Ten-Miler at Kalsu

Photo By Sgt. Eddie Reyes | FOB KALSU, Iraq – Cpl. Michael Molinaro, public affairs noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, receives a digital music player from Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd BCT, after winning his age-group category during a 10-mile race Oct. 8 here to commemorate the Army Ten-Miler held in Washington the same day.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.13.2006

Story by Sgt. Eddie Reyes 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by Spc. Edgar Reyes
2nd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

FOB KALSU, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers participated in a 10-mile race here Oct. 8 to coincide with the 22nd annual Army Ten-Miler in Washington.

Enthusiasm was abundant as more than 150 Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participated in the run.

Competition raced in three categories: individual, two-man teams and five-man teams. The individual runners were placed into separate age groups. Members of the two-man teams ran five miles each, while the members of the five-man teams ran two miles each.

The race consisted of running the inner perimeter of the base twice, which totaled a little more than 10 miles. Water points were established every 2.5 miles and a safety vehicle drove behind the runners to provide medical treatment if needed.

After the participants sang the 4th Inf. Div. song and listened to opening remarks by Col. John Tully, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Elijah King Jr., both of 2nd BCT, the individual runners tied their shoes tight, got in a final stretch and waited for the infamous words "get ready ... get set ... go!" The teams followed several minutes later. Many Soldiers sprinted their way from the starting line to the first mile marker in an attempt to gain the dominant position.

Sgt. Ruben Alvidrez, tanker, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd BCT, maintained the lead the entire race and claimed first overall with a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes.

"I felt good running today," said Alvidrez. "I was able to maintain my pace the whole time without slowing down."

The next two Soldiers to complete the race were Capt. Michael Winters, physical therapist, Company C, 204th Support Battalion, and Cpl. Michael Molinaro, public affairs noncommissioned officer-in-charge, HHC, 2nd BCT, with times of 1 hour, 13 minutes, 7 seconds and 1 hour, 13 minutes, 26 seconds respectively.

Soldiers lined the final stretch and showed their support for the runners and enjoyed the music provided by Sgt. Alberto Olivera, Forward Operating Base Kalsu's disc jockey. After the runners finished, an awards ceremony was held and winners were presented a variety of prizes, ranging from camcorders, cameras, digital music players, stereos and DVD players

"I want to thank all of you for participating in this race and putting all of your effort into this brigade to make a difference here in Iraq," said Tully. "Events like these are meant to boost the morale of Soldiers for all the hard work they have done."

• Date Taken: 10.13.2006
• Date Posted: 10.13.2006 13:40
• Story ID: 8017
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ