SD National Guard runners place in Army Ten-Miler

South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs
Story by 2nd Lt. Chad Carlson

Date: 10.21.2012
Posted: 10.25.2012 18:30
News ID: 96781
SD National Guard runners place in Army Ten-Miler

WASHINGTON - The South Dakota Army National Guard had a strong showing at the 28th annual Army Ten-Miler in Washington, Sunday, Oct. 21. The 10-mile road race is the third largest in the world and is the Army’s premier running event.

Among the more than 30,000 runners at this year’s event, the SDARNG had nine runners represented on two teams. Both teams ran the fastest cumulative time by their respective teams since the SDARNG started sending teams to the race.

2nd Lt. Rebecca Linder (1:10:34), Spc. Elli Mushitz (1:17:17), Staff Sgt. Chasity Oswald (1:19:32) and Spc. Bernie Grove (1:25:30) ran on the Coyotes of SD Female Team and finished in second place in the National Guard Women’s Division.

“They came in second only to the All-National Guard Women’s Team, a team made up of the best runners within the National Guard annually,” said Sgt. Maj. Todd Grabow, SDNG Marathon Team coordinator. “Lt. Linder also ran the fastest time to date for a S.D. National Guard female.”

Capt. Joshua Paull (1:08:27), Sgt. Louis Durandt (1:10:07), Sgt. Dan Murtha (1:11:07), Capt. Johann Stokes (1:11:14) and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Steadman (1:17:06) made up the Coyotes of SD Men’s Team, which finished in fourth place in the National Guard Men’s Division.

“This was my first time running this race and I loved every minute of it,” said Mushitz. “It has motivated me to train for a marathon in 2013. I am grateful for this opportunity and appreciate that the South Dakota National Guard is supportive of an active lifestyle.”

Produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the Army Ten-Miler proceeds support Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation, a comprehensive network of support and leisure services designed to enhance the lives of Soldiers and their families.

“It was once again a great honor to represent South Dakota at the Army Ten-Miler,” Paull said. “The most inspirational thing I can imagine was running by a soldier at mile five who has a prosthetic leg. It was truly an amazing and overwhelming experience.”

The race starts and finishes at the Pentagon, passing by national landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the Capitol Building.

“The whole experience is overwhelming,” said Oswald. “You get to run in our nation’s capital by monuments dedicated to some of history’s greatest citizens. A great reminder of why I love to wear this uniform and what it stands for. Not to mention running alongside wounded soldiers; veterans that have given so much for this country or the family members running in honor of their fallen soldiers. It’s more than a race and I am thankful to have been a part of.”

The mission of the Army Ten-Miler is for the Military District of Washington to safely conduct the Army’s annual ten-mile race to promote the Army, build esprit de corps, support fitness goals, and enhance community relations.