Hopefully you know by now that I am running the Army Ten Miler this Sunday. This will be my fourth time running this race. While the course is harder than it looks, the energy and camraderie from 30,000 runners is hard to beat.
I was supposed to run the race in 2001, but it was canceled in the wake of 9/11:
2001 – 17th Annual Army Ten-Miler (Oct. 14, 2001)
The September 11th terrorist attack on America continues to impact all our lives. On October 8th, Army Leadership cancelled the 17th annual race. Seven days later America invaded Afghanistan.
After 9/11, new security measures were put in place across the D.C. area, and the Army Ten Miler was no exception. For the 2002 race, they even banned runners from carrying water! They’ve dropped that restriction, but there are still a lot of Army Ten Miler rules:
- Audio and Video device ban – You are not allowed to carry audio and video devices on the ATM course. Safety is the number one priority for the race. This ban will be strictly enforced.
- Security Policy – I understand that the Army reserves the right to implement security policies that it deems necessary to ensure the safety and security of all runners/spectators at the race. In the event of any security policy change, there will be no refunds.
- Pentagon Photo Policy – Please be advised that for security reasons, photographing of the Pentagon is prohibited.
- Pentagon Animal Policy – Animals, except for guide dogs for persons with disabilities, are not allowed on the Pentagon Reservation.
- Items prohibited from the course – Video and audio devices (CD or DVD players, mobile phones, MP3 players, cameras, etc), weapons, combustible material (lighters and matches), clothing with vulgar writing, aerosol sprays (pepper or mace), strollers, baby-joggers, roller blades, skateboards, bicycles, animals, bags and backpacks.
- Items allowed on the course – Flags, heart rate monitors, water bottles, GPS watches, pace monitors (not used in conjuction with a listening device), medical kits and gel packs. Water belts, hydration packs and fanny packs will be subject to search.
- Items prohibited from the finish area – Coolers, glass containers, weapons, bikes, skateboards, and any other items deemed to be a security threat.
- Items allowed in the finish area – Small purses/bags and backpacks, camera bags, baby bags, and strollers are allowed but subject to search.
The odd thing about the “no photos” rule is that the race is run on unrestricted public property. Even the Pentagon parking lots are accessible as shortcuts on my commute. After the start, the course runs over Memorial Bridge, down various D.C. streets, up to the Capitol, down to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, and then over the Fourteenth Street Bridge. These are all places where I can run, walk, drive–and take pictures–on any other day.
As a D.C. native, I am used to security measures, but I can’t help being annoyed when the “rules” don’t make any sense.
Do you think these Army Ten Miler rules are excessive?
Would you run a long race with a “no water bottle” rule?
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I've never run a race WITH a water bottle, but I am a no-frills runner who started racing in the 80's.
That's a lot of rules, although they are quite understandable. Are there lots of water stations? So, you can't carry a phone?
I was looking at your course map the other day and it looks like such a great race. I wish I was a runner when I lived in DC, the sights are awesome.
Good luck!
Some of those rules seem excessive and frankly ridiculous. People who want to do harm will do it regardless of the rules. So, are there no pictures allowed by the public at the finish line? Are the only pictures you would get the ones from pro photography at the event?
I have never done a race with a water bottle, either – I presume all long races have water stations, so that's enough for me!
Does sound a little excessive, especially the photos given that at any other time you could take pictures there…odd!
Good luck this weekend!!
I am running this race, too! It'll be my first race with double-digit mileage so I'm pretty nervous about starting out too fast.
Aside from that, I was really put off by all the rules. I hate the "no camera" and "no iPod" ones in particular. I usually don't listen to music while racing, but I like to have it in case I feel I need an extra push. Are they really, really strict about it? As in, if they see you on the course with an iPod would they make you quit running?
"This ban will be strictly enforced". Most race directors I know get pretty pissed off when someone deliberately tries to break their rules, and I think that would be even more true here! They'd either yank you or just the iPod, but why risk it?
Aren't there crowds that will give you a bigger push with their cheering?
There are some parts of the course with supporters, but the last 2 miles there is nobody until the finish (no spectators on the freeway and bridge).
What was bad last year was not having a phone to tell my husband where I was — this year we are just going to meet at Starbucks.
Sent from my iPhone
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Since you asked, the camera and audio rules seem to make some sense. You don’t want anyone seeing your PIN.