Kyle Butler is passionate about running and his country. The former Holy Trinity and Florida Atlantic standout will have the opportunity to do both when he competes in the prestigious Army Ten Miler in the nation's capital this weekend. This will be Butler's second time in the event which draws nearly 30,000 competitors from bases nationwide.

"Almost every Army base throughout the world sends a team. The race also has veterans and civilians. There are different team divisions, but the main one is the military division. They run for the Commander's Cup which is a very big trophy."

The teams consist of the top four times added up. Each post holds their own qualifier in April and May to see who will represent them in October. The army posts send their top four to eight runners per gender and score the four fastest on race day. Butler is the number one runner out of El Paso, Texas based Fort Bliss, a post that won it all in 2008 before he joined the military.

"Last year I was 95th  out of more than 23,000 military and civilian persona with a time of 57:40. I ran for Fort Huachuca, Arizona. This year it will be me around 55 minutes, two guys around 57-58, and then our fourth guy will be around 59. my goal is to break 55 minutes and be top  50."

For many members of the military this race is about bragging rights. Fort Bliss finished eighth last year in their quest for the Commander's Cup.  Their coach has a tattoo to remind of him the last time they won the title in 2008. Butler says this year's race will be extra special because he will get to enjoy it with his father.

"My family and close friends are making the trip there so that means a lot to me. My dad will actually be competing for the Fort Bliss open mixed team. He wasn't able to watch me run it last year due to Holy Trinity's cross country schedule, bit this year they have an off weekend so he is able to make it. It will be amazing to share this with him."

The  tem mile course takes runners through the nation's capital starting and ending at the Pentagon. Since the race began in 1985 over 247,000 military men and women have participated in the event. Butler first ran the course last year and says throughout the race there were times he was more focused on scenery.

"Last time was my first time ever in Washington D.C. so being able to run by all of our nation's history was just very motivating. I was racing guys and sightseeing at the same time. I remember running by the Capital Building at mile seven and just looking around in awe as the guys next to me were watching the course ahead."

At a time when the issue of war and fighting for your country are often scrutinized pride, patriotism, and a sense of community are on display at these type of events.  Butler says it helps to boost morale and is touching to see a group of guys all running together and fighting together for the same cause.

"It definitely does. You have the "wounded warriors" out there that start ten minutes before everyone else.  We were running  5:30 pace, barely able to breathe, and we were all cheering on these amputees that lost limbs while protecting our country at war. When you are running past them during your race it puts things in perspective. You are racing the people next to you and as much as you want to beat the guys from other bases , at the end of the day we are all  brothers and sisters and we are all sacrificing our lives for our country."


For more info on the Army Ten-Miler check out armytenmiler.com.