Individuals and Teams, Ready to Run

Runners participate in the North Carolina National Guard 2010 Minuteman Road Race

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As the command was given, participants cross the starting line at the Claude T. Bowers Military Center in Raleigh, N.C., during the 2010 Minuteman Road Race, August 8.

RALEIGH, NC (08/10/2010)(readMedia)-- Early Sunday morning, eager faces crowded the registration table for the 2010 Minuteman Road Race hosted by the North Carolina National Guard. Sole runners or teams were able to choose between a 5K walk, 5K run or a 10K run, all starting at the Claude T. Bowers Military Center in Raleigh, N.C.

Wearing matching burgundy track uniforms with their unit name, 113th Sustainment Brigade, written on the front, brothers Army Pfc. Nate Autry, Pvt. Andrew Autry and Spc. Joshua Autry were excited about participating in the 10K run together. The three brothers said they are training together for the Army Ten-Miler that is slated for October 2010.

"This race is excellent training for the Army Ten-Miler and a great workout," said Nate Autry. He did not hesitate about adding, "Of course, we also came to win."

Sgt. 1st Class Deana Abernathy, with Detachment 17, 449th Theater Aviation Brigade, was optimistic about running the 10K for self improvement. After suffering from a recent illness that set her back from training for the Army Ten-Miler, Abernathy set her goal to complete the race.

Army 2nd Lts. Philip Rodgers, James Watters and Greg Laskowski, all chaplain candidates with Joint Force Headquarters, North Carolina, were going to run as a team in the 10K race. Rodgers said, "I decided to run to support the chaplaincy at JFHQ NC and also to prepare for the Marine Corps Marathon that I will be participating in October."

While some participants had specific goals for running in the race, others just wanted to be part of the event. Two friends, Master Sgt. Angie Montcalm, Joint Force Headquarters, North Carolina, and Sgt. 1st Class Merritt Latham, Bravo Company, 252nd Combat Arms Battalion, were able to talk each other into participating in the 5K run.

A lot of time and planning goes into putting an event such as this together. Succinct coordination between volunteers, runners, mapping the course and timing the race made the event run smoothly.

Army Capt. Robert May, director of the race, hoped "the participants come away from this experience with a sense of accomplishment and for those participating in teams – unit cohesion."

The Minuteman Road Race is an annual event that has been held for over 15 years. The purpose of this race is to enhance unit readiness and to identify and reward outstanding individual and team physical performance while offering an opportunity for socialization of Guardsmen, retirees, family and friends.

For queries, contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phones at (919) 664-6242. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil.

Story by Spc. Lindley Bess and photos by Army Sgt. Zachary Otto, both of the 382nd Public Affairs Detachment, North Carolina National Guard.