Soldier on track for Army 10-Miler

KADENA AB, Japan -- From a distance you can see him coming in, alone and ahead of his company at the end of its four-mile run. Spc. Lorenzo Bennett, 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Brigade, enjoys leaving any one who challenges him behind. 

"He is an outstanding runner and if we push him, he can compete at a higher level," said Capt. Rahmin Norwood, his former commander. 

Specialist Bennett has placed first in his brigade and has qualified in many events from past duty stations. Because of his achievements, Captain Norwood selected him to 
potentially become part of the Army World Class Athlete program. 

"As a collegiate runner, you can see the raw talent," said Captain Norwood. "With some coaching and more specific training and technique work, he has the ability to be an excellent runner and compete at the All Army level for long distance running." 

Specialist Bennett has recently qualified to join an elite team from Camp Zama, Japan.
He will be running at a minimum 70-miles a week. This will consist of long runs in the morning, track workout in the afternoon and a five to ten mile run in the evening. 

This group will be participating in the prestigious Army Ten-Miler.
The event draws 26,000 participants from all over the world in Washington D.C., Oct. 7.
This is only the beginning of Specialist Bennett's dreams of becoming a professional athlete. 

"It's not going to be easy and I know I have a lot of work to do," he said. 

"To be competitive at a world class level his training will be 100-120 miles a week," said Captain Norwood. "It takes two years of consistent training to join the Olympics." 

In the few years he has been in the Army, Specialist Bennett has applied some fundamentals to help his progression. He does the usual PT with his unit and trains on his own running 40 plus miles a week. 

"To be successful in running, you have to practice your breathing, your form and most of
all your pace," he said. 

He has viewed the stats on the web and according to his time he should place around 300 to 400th place. 

"I'm determined to come within the top 100," said Specialist Bennett. "I want my time to be below 60-minutes." 

Specialist Bennett has done his homework to see what he's up against at this international event. The fastest record time is under 48-minutes but that does not discourage him at all. 

"It doesn't make me nervous, it makes me more excited," says Specialist Bennett. 

Specialist Bennett knows the weather in Washington, D.C., in the fall differs from the tropical weather here. The first thing he plans to do when he arrives is run the route. 

"I want to get the feel of the climate a few days before I run the race," he said. 

While staying at the hotel, the night before the competition, Specialist Bennett looks forward to spending time with his mother and enjoy the pre-race dinner buffett.