If you're a serious long-distance runner and active-duty servicemember at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, chances are you're chomping at the bit for the 2018 Freedom Run. If you're not a strong runner, it's still worth waking up early on a Saturday morning to watch the race, during which participants will compete for coveted spots on the JBLM Ten-Miler race team.  

"What it really comes down to is that we need the five fastest females and five fastest males," said Bruce Antonowicz, the sports, fitness and aquatics director for Family & Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) and Community Recreation Division (CRD) at JBLM. 

"Show up and participate in the Ten-Miler yourself, or just come out and cheer on other athletes who're running the race. It helps people stay healthy and active. It keeps them striving, challenging themselves, and reaching for more."

The JBLM Ten-Miler race team is the installation's official race team, and it's made up of 10 of the fastest male and female servicemembers in the region. The team travels to Washington, D.C., each year to represent JBLM in the annual Army Ten-Miler race. This national and highly competitive race draws over 35,000 participants and 900 teams each year, including military and civilian athletes. It's the second largest 10-mile race in the U.S. 

"The JBLM team is potentially racing against former Olympian athletes in the national race," said Antonowicz. "We've always sent a team ... It shows the strength of our installation by having active-duty servicemembers represent JBLM there."

To qualify for the JBLM Ten-Miler team and subsequently compete in the national race, runners must compete in one of two qualifying races at JBLM. The first is held during the Commander's Cup Ten-Miler race every April, and the second is held during the JBLM Freedom Run in July. This year's Freedom Run will take place Saturday, July 21. Competing runners who finish either of the races are narrowed down to a small, joint-service team of five males and five females. This year, the finalized team lineup will be announced July 23. 

"The biggest challenge we face is that sometimes, we miss out on individuals because of their training load or deployment status," said Antonowicz, who serves as the main point of contact and coordinator for the team. 

For those who do make the installation team, travel to Washington, D.C., is a three-night, all-expenses-paid trip. 

"The biggest thing for us, as coordinators, is making sure the team doesn't have to worry about anything except the run. We try to keep the travel aspects simple for them," said Antonowicz. 

Last year, JBLM's female, active-duty team placed second in their division at the national competition in Washington, D.C. "To be able to say that we have the best team of runners from any given installation, that's definitely a morale booster," said Antonowicz. "The commanding general here (at JBLM) is a big supporter of the Ten-Miler team, and the community here really supports the team, too."

In addition to working at JBLM for the last 27 years, Antonowicz is also a runner himself. He recently completed the Cascadia Super Series' Super Marathon in Snoqualmie Pass and North Bend, Washington, last June. 

"My advice to competitors is don't go out and run 10 miles the day before a qualifier ... athletes should have been planning for at least several weeks beforehand. Be smart in your training and set yourself up for success. 

JBLM Freedom Run (including Ten-Miler qualifier), 7 a.m. to close, Saturday, July 21, MWR Fest Tent, 2271 Liggett Ave., JBLM, $15-$40, facebook.com/jblmraces