The 22nd Annual Army Ten-Miler, America's largest 10-mile race, attracts 24,000 runners from all over the world to participate in a jam-packed weekend of activities. Race weekend is not just for the runners - there is something for everyone! The weekend kicks off this Friday with a two-day race Expo presented by Spring! by Dannon, press conference, clinics, and the GEICO Pasta Dinner at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.

The race starts at 8:00 AM Sunday, October 8 at the Pentagon. Other race day activities include the Health Net Federal Services Youth Runs; the 94.7 Post Race Party featuring bands, entertainment and giveaways; the HOOAH Tent Zone - where Army Teams from around the world show their spirit, celebrate the race in over 50 decorated tents; and the Health Net Federal Services Youth Activity Zone complete with displays, inflatables, the GEICO Gecko, DC Divas, magician, the Great Zucchini and much more!

Participants in the 2006 Army Ten-Miler hail from all around the world. Below is just a sampling of the many talents you will see at this year's race:

Missing (Parts) in Action - MPIA will support four teams which are made up of military amputees and their physical therapists - who all have very inspiring stories. Some of the highlighted athletes are: Maj. David Rozelle, who lost his foot in Iraq but became the first amputee in recent military history to resume a dangerous command in the field; Specialist Derek McGinnis, an above-the-knee amputee who has shared his love of surfing with fellow military amputees; and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Casey Tibbs, who lost his right leg below the knee but left the Athens Paralympic Games with the silver medal in the pentathlon and the gold in the 4x100 meter relay.

Alisa Harvey, Manassas, VA - Three-Time Army Ten-Miler Winner in 1998, 1999, 2003 - Harvey holds three American masters track and field records in the mile run, indoor mile run, and indoor 800 meter run. She is a constant victor on the Washington, DC racing scene, winning races ranging in distance from one mile to the marathon. Her personal records include: 4:08:33 (1500M), 4:29:65 (1 Mile). Recent wins include: USA Masters Record Female 40-44 (4:46:29) Mile Run, PA (4/06); USA Masters Record Female 40-44 (2:07:23) Indoor 800 Meter Run, NY (2/06); USA Masters Record Female 40-44 (4:50:95) Indoor Mile Run, VA (2/06).

Darrell General, Hyattsville, MD - Three-Time Army Ten-Miler Winner in 1987, 1988, 1991 - General holds the distinction as the youngest Olympic marathon trials qualifier at age 22. This year he will try to qualify for the Olympic trials a record 6th time! He has competed in 11 consecutive USA Marathon Championships from 1992 to 2002. His top finish was 3rd in 1994. Consequently, he has qualified for 5-consecutive US Olympic Marathon Trials in 1990, 1994, 1996, 2000, and 2004. He is also a two-time winner of the Marine Corps marathon in 1995 and 1997 and was the top American at the 1990 Boston Mmarathon.

Special Operations Surviving Spouse - The Special Operations Surviving Spouses team is sponsored by the United Warrior Survivor Foundation, an organization for surviving spouses of Special Operations personnel from the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps killed in the line of duty since 9/11/2001. The members of the Special Operations Surviving Spouses team are: Carolyn Evans, John Evans, Emily Munoz, Ann Ochsner, Leslie Ponder, Suzanne Stack, Jackie Syverson, and Tricia Tarlavsky Kirk.

Gold Star Wives - Gold Star Wives of America, Inc. is a non-profit organization with 10,000 members and 60 chapters. All members have spouses who died while on active duty or from a service-related disability. Gold Star Wives work actively to maintain and increase the benefits available to military widows/ers. This year, Gold Star Wives is supporting two teams with a total of sixteen runners.

Foot Solutions Elite Team - The Foot Solutions Elite Team is a competitive men's racing team who hopes to capture the men's team division title. Two of the team's star performers are Tamrat Ayalew and Belay Teka-Kassa of Ethiopia. Ayalew is a member of the Ethiopian National Team and the winner of the 2006 Potomac Half-Marathon. Teka-Kassa was forced to drop out of school and support his family by farming when his father died in 1995. However, even with his efforts, his earnings fell short of the poverty line. To help his family, he earned a position on the Ethiopian Military National Sports Team as a professional runner. Recently, Teka-Kassa finished first in the Army HOOAH Race.

Fort Bragg Women's Teams - 2004 Commander's Cup Female Champions and ATM Record Holders - Established in 1996, the Fort Bragg Women's Team was victorious in the Army Ten-Miler Commander's Cup competition in 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004. In 2004, they set the race record for the active duty women's division. There are two returning runners from the 2005 team - CPT Betsy Hove and SPC Danielle Shaner. Major Cynthia Hazel, who served as the coach in 2000 and 2004 and will again this year, states that this year's teams look as good as the record setting team in 2004.

Jackie Concaugh Gruendel - 2-Time Army Ten-Miler Runner-Up in 1997, 2003 - Concaugh Gruendel is a firefighter, paramedic, and physician assistant and a member of the Pacers/Brooks team. With personal records of 16:30:68 in the 5K and 1:00:03 for ten- miles, Concaugh Gruendel is one of the area's most competitive runners. Her titles include the 2005 and 2006 George Washington Parkway Classic 5Ks, 2005 Cassidy & Pinkard Race for Hope Brain Tumor Society 5K, and 2005 Tim Harmon 5K.

For complete race weekend information, visit www.armytenmiler.com.