JBLM Army 10-miler team try-outs: May 14, June 4 & June 25; 9AM @Sheridan Fitness Center. Competitors run two laps around Gray Army Airfield (8.6 miles) during each timed trial. Selections based on speed, potential, & ability to work as a team - aspiring racers encouraged to attend all 3 tryouts, if possible.    

A mere 1,600 runners participated in the Army Ten-Miler when it first kicked off nearly 26 years ago in Washington D.C. That number has since multiplied to 30,000, making it one of the largest races in the country, an experience coveted by a growing number of runners on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

JBLM Intramural Sports Coordinator, Kathy Salcedo, is working closely with local veteran runners to build teams that will train and compete in the 27th Annual Army Ten-Miler Oct. 9.

Tryouts for the team will be held May 14, June 4 and June 25 at 9 a.m. All three timed trials will begin at Sheridan Fitness Center and take runners on two laps around Gray Army Airfield, making it about an 8.6 mile course, Salcedo said.

The base will send active-duty men's, women's and master's teams to the race. Each team will have eight runners, but only six per team will travel and compete in D.C.

Teams have two alternate runners in case of last-minute injuries or other incidents that might prevent a team member from competing.

Salcedo hopes that runners of all ages and abilities will try out this year, noting that the fastest is not a shoe-in for the teams. Aside from having a desire to run, it is imperative that prospective competitors have command support to have permission to train during normal PT hours. They also need to be able to work with others as a team.

"We want to gel together a very good, competitive team," Salcedo said.

Salcedo plans to finalize the Ten-Miler teams by the end of June so that runners have three full months to train for the big day. And although runners are only required to attend one of the three scheduled time trials, Salcedo encourages prospective competitors to attend all three if possible. Doing so not only shows they are very serious about wanting to join the team, but might also increase their chances of being selected.

"If somebody's got any kind of natural talent whatsoever for running, with just a few weeks of training, they could probably really do some improvement," she said. "They may not be the fastest one, but if they're showing improvement and they've got that potential, they may very well make the team."

If you go

What: JBLM Army Ten-Miler Team trials

When: May 14, June 4 and June 25 at 9 a.m.

Where: Sheridan Fitness Center

Information: Kathy Salcedo, 967-4768