Photo below: Capt. Dan Browne, here pursued by Chris Graff, will go for Olympic gold in Athens this month. Photo courtesy of Victah Sailer.

"The difference I believe is that some people want things to happen and other people have to have things happen. It's mindset difference. The mind is a powerful weapon. To use it effectively is the difference," stated Capt. Dan Browne of the Oregon National Guard, two-time winner and event record holder in 1997 (47:44) of the Army Ten-Miler. Browne is a 1997 graduate of West Point and former member of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP).

It was October 12, 1997, when the Army 2ndLt. from the 244th Corps Master Battalion at Fort Lee, Va., made his 10-mile debut at the Army Ten-Miler. At eight and half miles Browne opened up a 50-meter gap over the defending champion 1stLt Michael Bernstein who had set the event record in 1996 (47:59). Browne established a new record of 47:44. The following year he took first place with 48:52. Chris Graff of the Reebok Enclave foiled the third year attempt and Browne placed second in 49:05.

"I wanted to win it and bring prestige to the event. I also wanted to make a splash so I could get into the WCAP team. I think after I won it the first time, people in the military especially in the running circles started looking at it with more interest," stated Browne.

"Going to West Point is definitely NOT the easiest place to go to school so there was absolutely some things that I had to sacrifice in going there but I knew that overall it would be worth it," he added.

The WCAP years were the catalyst; "WCAP was a great developmental phase for me. I truly appreciate the military for getting me to the point where I was prepared mentally and physically to make the US Olympic Team. It's the main reason why I'm still in the Oregon National Guard, because I want to have the military attached to my name when I'm in Athens," Browne commented.

Browne has left his mark at the Army Ten-Miler and he realized another goal in February 2004, placing third in the U.S. Marathon Trials (2:12:02) to secure his first Olympic berth.

In April 2004 he set his PR for 10,000 meters at the Cardinal Invitational at Palo Alto, Calif., with a 27:42.19. The time qualified him for the Olympic Trails at 10,000 meters. At the Trails he captured another Olympic berth with a third place finish with a 28:07.47.

He has made the decision to attempt the 10,000 meters and the marathon in Athens. He will be the first American to attempt a double since Frank Shorter in 1972 in Munich where he finished fifth in the 10,000 meters and first in the marathon.

On November 7, 2004, Browne will be making his appearance at the ING New York City Marathon.

The Personal Records

5000m		  13:28.24	1998	Mt. Sac, CA	
10,000m		  27:42.19	2004	Palo Alto, CA
Half-Marathon   1:03:55	        2001	Parkersburg, WV
Marathon	2:11:35	        2002	Twin Cities, MN

The USATF Championship Titles

1998
	USA Indoor 3000m Champion	      7:50.49
	USA Outdoor 10,000m Champion	     29:46.06
	USA Outdoor 10,000m Champion	     29:08
	USA 5K Road Champion		     13:05    (Short course 3 Mi)
2000
	USA 15K Champion	             44:26
2001
	USA Half-Marathon Champion         1:03:55
	USA 20K Champion                   1:00:10
2002
	USA 20K Champion		     59:21
	USA Men's Marathon Champion        2:11:35    (Debut)
2003
	USA 25K Champion	           1:16:13
	Pan American Games 10,000m	     29:06.23 (Bronze medal)
2004
	US Olympic Marathon Team Trials	   2:12:02    (3rd)
	USA 10 Mile Champion		     46:32    (Championship Record)
	USA 25K Champion		   1:16:21

Capt. Browne will make things happen and the mind will be powerful as it takes control over the body and the two will work in Athens. There will be another left.

Dan Browne improved his 5,000 meter personal best to 13:16.02 with his eighth-place finish at the KBC Night of Athletics in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium. His previous best was 13:28.24, set in 1998. --From USATF News & Notes, August 1, 2004