Semper Fi Fund to Field 36 Athletes at 34th Annual Army Ten-Miler Race
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (PRWEB) October 03, 2018 -- With the 34th annual Army Ten-Miler Race in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the Semper Fi Fund is looking forward to seeing three dozen Semper Fi Fund athletes take to the course.
“The Army Ten-Miler is the second-largest 10-mile race in the nation,” said Karen Guenther, President, CEO and Founder of the Semper Fi Fund. “For all of us at the Fund, it’s one of the most inspirational events on our annual calendar – participation in the event is capped at 35,000, and every single one of those 35,000 participants has a unique story about why they’ll be on the course that day.”
On October 7, Army Reservist Chelsea Ray will participate in her first Army Ten-Miler for Team Semper Fi. She’s been preparing since early June 2018 with interval training consisting of 3-mile, 6-mile and 9-mile runs. Her participation carries with it a very deep and specific meaning.
“I’m a spouse and caregiver to a combat-injured veteran who was shot four times in Afghanistan; my husband completed the race last year on a handcycle,” said Chelsea. “Due to injuring his shoulders during the L.A. Marathon, I chose to run in his place. My husband is paralyzed and is unable to run. Witnessing how he endures through constant pain with a contagious ‘never quit’ attitude, I felt as if it is my duty to represent him in the Army 10-Miler.”
“I want to run for the injured who are unable to run and the caregivers who sacrificed so much to care for their injured veterans,” she added.
Chris Browning, a Semper Fi Fund athlete and Marine who will be running in his first Army Ten-Miler, said that “knowing the race is in D.C., with lots of people standing around the course, it motivates me to get out there and represent Team Semper Fi and join my fellow team members.”
“Team Semper Fi has allowed me to meet people with the same hobbies and I feel I have that sense of belonging,” Browning added. “Many members have left the military and need that connection or hobby to socialize and connect with like-minded people. Team Semper Fi has done this for me.”
In addition to fielding 36 competitors, Semper Fi Fund will be represented at the event by staff members and volunteers dispensing information about the Fund at a hospitality tent near the area of the Pentagon grounds where the Ten-Miler begins and finishes.
About the Semper Fi Fund
The Semper Fi Fund provides urgently needed resources and lifetime support for post-9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Case Managers from the Fund work one-on-one with service members and veterans to understand and support their individual needs right now and throughout their lifetimes. The Fund keeps its overhead extremely low in order to have the greatest impact on the lives of service members and veterans and has been awarded the highest ratings from watchdog groups: A+ from CharityWatch (one of only two veteran nonprofits to receive this rating last year), eight consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator (an achievement attained by only 3% of rated charities) and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar. Learn more at semperfifund.org.
About the Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo
The Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo is conducted in Washington, DC by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW). Attracting over 35,000 runners and 900 teams from around the world, the Army Ten-Miler (ATM) exemplifies the Spirit of Sport and the Spirit of a Nation. Participants include military, civilians, wheelchair athletes and wounded warrior athletes. ATM’s mission is to support Army outreach, build morale, and promote physical fitness. Now in its 34th year, over 420,478 runners have run ATM since its inception in 1985. All race proceeds benefit Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.
Brian McPherson, Semper Fi Fund, http://www.semperfifund.org, 740.819.9781, [email protected]
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