Missouri National Guardsmen to run Army Ten Miler in memory of Master Sgt. Mark Turner

By Rachel Knight
Ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

SEDALIA, Mo. - Six Missouri National Guard Soldiers will be running this weekend in the Army Ten Miler this Sunday in memory of Master Sgt. Mark Turner, who died in November 2009 while doing something he loved ... running.

"Mark was probably the fittest person I have ever met," said 1st Lt. Brandon Heimericks, of Lone Jack. "He was the rock of the team. He was the most calm, level-headed person. You always knew he was going to pull through for the team. He was the least confrontational person of the team."

Turner had an enlarged heart and went into cardiac arrhythmia while running for physical training on Nov. 20, 2009.

Turner and a group of Missouri National Guardsmen competed each year in the event for four years beginning in 2006. In the four years of running, Turner finished in the top 150 runners for three of those years.

"I've done a lot of training with him and some adventure racing with him," said Staff Sgt. Michelle Elliott, who has ran three Ten Milers with him.

The Army Ten Miler proceeds support Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation, a comprehensive network of support and leisure services designed to enhance the lives of Soldiers and their Families. The race starts and finishes at the Pentagon, passing by D.C. landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the Capitol Building.

"The Army Ten Miler was Mark's favorite race," said Regina Turner, Mark's wife. "He remained committed to shortening his race time for benefit of the team. He had a tremendous respect for each team member and they shared a common goal. In addition, after each race, he always looked forward to visiting his parents, Ray and Sue Turner, in Chesterton, Md."

Elliott said the race has a lot of Wounded Warriors that participate. She remembers one year a man played the flute the entire race.

Carrying on tradition, the team will carry the name of "Missouri Militia" in the National Guard Mixed category.

In 2006 and 2007, the team won the National Guard mixed category by more than four minutes in each instance. In 2008, the team placed second.

In 2009, Elliott was unable to participate in the Ten Miler so Turner and four others participated in the National Guard men's category where they came up third.

"Mark would be humbled to know the race was being ran in his honor and proud that the Missouri Militia tradition continues," Regina said.

Of the four races, Maj. Michael Seek, of Lebanon; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mitchell Simpson, Jefferson City; Master Sgt. John Kannon, of Camdenton; and Staff Sgt. Michelle Elliott, of LaMonte, have competed in three of those races with Turner.

"Mark was an amazing runner," said Elliott. "He was more than that. He was an amazing friend. And he was always way out front and waiting for us at the end."

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Roger Fillmer and Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Turner, of St. Charles, have also ran two Ten Milers with Turner.

The 2010 memorial team is made of Soldiers who have participated in one or more races in the past with Turner, whether it is the Army Ten Miler in Washington D.C, the Bataan Memorial Death March in New Mexico, or the Louis and Clark Adventure Race in Arkansas.

Seek, Simpson, Jamie Turner, and Elliott will once again take on the challenge of running 10-miles through D.C., but this year for the expressed purpose of remembering their friend and fellow Soldier.

"We wanted to get the original runners together," said Elliott.

Heimericks and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jose Valenzuela, of Marshall, will join the team and run their first ever Army Ten Miler. But they are no stranger to the motivation that Turner would instill in them during a race.

"He never raised his voice or anything," said Heimericks, who participated in the Louis and Clark Adventure Race with Turner. "He led by example and was very patient. He motivated you because he was in such good shape that you couldn't let him down. It was so unassuming. He just motivated you without trying. He wasn't a natural leader verbally, but he was always the best at everything. You wanted to be like that ... steady and strong."

At the race this year, there will be 30,000 runners competing in different categories. Though Turner will not be at this race, he will be there in spirit.

"I know he will be looking down on us, telling us to run faster," said Elliott.

"I am flooded with emotions regarding these incredible Soldiers running this race in Mark's honor," said Regina. "I'm thankful that my husband's memory remains and grateful to be associated with such compassionate Soldiers. I wish them a safe journey and a great race."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.