Photo: Martha Merz, 42, formerly from Arlington and now living in Mystic, Connecticut, won the female masters division for the third straight year in 2004, finishing ninth overall in 1:00:51.

Registration for the 2005 Army Ten Miler has closed in a record 101 days. Registration opened on April 1 for the Army's annual 10-mile race and officially closed on Sunday, July 10.

Jim Vandak, Director, commented, "The race has a Tradition of Excellence and we continue to close earlier and earlier every year. Our 2005 Army Ten Miler registration closed 30 days ahead of last year's mark and 2004 was a record year!"

It was announced in April that the race will allow runners to transfer their entry to another person. There will be a $15 transfer fee and the deadline for entry transfers is August 15th.

Individuals who didn't make the registration deadline may consider volunteering. Volunteers are still needed for Friday, Sep 30 and Saturday Oct 1 at the HQ race hotel. More information can be found on the Army Ten Miler website.

This year's field is made up of roughly 35% military and 65% civilian and is almost equally split between men and women. While the majority of runners are residents of the United States, many different countries are represented including, Italy, South Korea, Argentina, Iraq, Germany and Canada.

Starting at 8:00 am on Sunday, October 2, the race starts and finishes at the Pentagon and passes by national treasures--the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the U.S. Capitol Building--as it makes its way through our nation's capital.

In addition to race day activities, the weekend also features an expo, runners' clinics, and the annual GEICO Pasta Dinner on Saturday, October 1. Dinner tickets may be purchased online for $25. Runners and spectators can enjoy the post-race festivities: live music, a Youth Activity Zone, and a HOOAH Tent Zone where Army Teams from around the world show their spirit.

This year promises another exceptional ten-mile race steeped in the United States Army's Tradition of Excellence. For additional race information go to www.armytenmiler.com. Produced by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the Army Ten-Miler is the largest 10-mile race in America.

See Jim Hage's story on the 2004 Army Ten Miler.