{"id":298017,"date":"2024-10-10T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-10T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=298017"},"modified":"2024-10-11T09:34:31","modified_gmt":"2024-10-11T09:34:31","slug":"eight-time-us-army-ten-miler-competitor-teams-up-with-rookie-for-big-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=298017","title":{"rendered":"Eight-time US Army Ten-Miler competitor teams up with rookie for big race"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, pose for a photo in Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 3, 2024. Together they will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, pose for a photo in Vicenza, Italy, Sept. 24, 2024. Together they will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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Back to\u00a0U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

VICENZA, Italy \u2013 Under a moonlit sky, two lone soldiers run side-by-side, their breath rising in misty clouds through the crisp morning air. For most, two miles worth of 400-meter sprints would conclude the running portion of their workout. However, this duo trains with ten more miles in their future.<\/p>\n

The 40th annual U.S. Army Ten-Miler<\/a> will take place on Oct. 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C., featuring teams and individuals from across the Army. This year, Capt. Jessica Knoll and 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo will represent Italy on the U.S. Army Europe and Africa<\/a> team at the historic race.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery time I go to D.C., I call it my \u2018Army family reunion\u2019 because I see at least 10 people I either ran with or know from other installations,\u201d Knoll said. \u201cMy family goes every year to support me, especially when I\u2019ve been stationed outside the U.S.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Knoll, this year marks her eighth Army Ten-Miler, the fourth she has traveled to while based overseas.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, trains at the Caserma Del Din track in Vicenza, Italy, Sept. 24, 2024. Together with U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, she will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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Knoll runs this year\u2019s race as the commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade<\/a>. The previous two years, she represented U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)<\/a>. In 2015, she flew to D.C. all the way from South Korea as a member of the Eighth Army<\/a> racing team.<\/p>\n

\u201dThe Ten-Miler has been the one piece of continuity I\u2019ve held onto throughout my Army career,\u201d she said. \u201cWherever I\u2019m stationed, I always call the Morale, Welfare and Recreation<\/a> office asking about tryouts and local running events.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whereas Knoll is a veteran to the event, her teammate will be running in his first-ever Army Ten-Miler.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, pose for a photo in Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 3, 2024. Together they will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, pose for a photo in Vicenza, Italy, Sept. 24, 2024. Together they will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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Fiorillo is a platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment<\/a>, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade<\/a>, and views the Ten-Miler as more than just a competition. He sees the race as a stepping-stone toward broader aspirations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to run the Ten-Miler because I see it as an opportunity to expand my potential and bring me to the next level,\u201d he said. \u201cRacing against the Army’s best, including the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP)<\/a>, has always been my dream. I want to reach my full human potential and see my limits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fiorillo says the race is also a test of leadership. He sees it as an opportunity to lead by example, demonstrating how to tackle challenges.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a leader, I need to take challenges head-on to inspire my subordinates, compete with my peers, and show my supervisors that I can overcome adversity to accomplish the mission,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Both Knoll and Fiorillo tally over 40 miles each week, with a mix of shorter speed runs and at least one longer distance run of over 12 miles. They also mix in strength training, as well as high intensity interval training, stretching, proper nutrition and recovery.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, train at the Caserma Del Din track in Vicenza, Italy, Sept. 24, 2024. Together they will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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\n U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, train at the Caserma Del Din track in Vicenza, Italy, Sept. 24, 2024. Together they will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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On race day, they will approach the starting line with different emotions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are generally two feelings I have on race day: excitement, knowing that I\u2019m as prepared as I can be, or nervousness,\u201d said Fiorillo. \u201cI\u2019ve had races where I felt amazing at the start, but it turned out to be my worst race. On the flip side, I\u2019ve had races where I felt terrible but ended up running a personal best.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, trains at the Caserma Del Din track in Vicenza, Italy, Sept. 24, 2024. Together with U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, he will represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) in Washington, D.C., Oct. 13, 2024. Over 459,685 runners have run the ATM since 1985, generating over $8 million in support of U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs since its inception. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Joe Legros)
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Knoll looks forward to the race-day surroundings; but for now, her focus is squarely on the finish line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen people talk about taking in all the sights and sounds, I can never relate,\u201d said Knoll. \u201cBut one thing is for sure, whether I\u2019m representing the 173rd Airborne, SETAF-AF or U.S. Army Europe and Africa, I\u2019m very grateful to be there and it\u2019s an honor to run the Ten-Miler.\u201d<\/p>\n

As race day approaches, both Knoll and Fiorillo are focused on giving their best. Their dedication to the Army Ten-Miler represents not just a personal achievement, but also the spirit of Army excellence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will show up ready to give it my all and see where the cards fall,\u201d said Fiorillo. \u201cThe unknown is the reason for the excitement because it\u2019s always possible something special can happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

About SETAF-AF<\/strong><\/p>\n

SETAF-AF provides\u00a0U.S. Africa Command<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0U.S. Army Europe and Africa<\/a>\u00a0a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.<\/p>\n

Follow SETAF-AF on:<\/strong>\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube<\/a>,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0DVIDS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 U.S. Army Capt. Jessica Knoll, commander of Charlie Company, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David “Alex” Fiorillo, platoon leader with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, pose for a photo in Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 3, 2024. Together […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":298019,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-298017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=298017"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":298028,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298017\/revisions\/298028"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/298019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=298017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=298017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=298017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}