‘It’s about finishing’ - ROTC Cadet Collin Benoit shines in annual Army 10-Miler marathon

12/03/2024

By Brett Buckner 

It was the longest race 19-year-old Collin Benoit had ever run. It was also one of the largest races in the world. On October 13, Benoit, a cadet in the Jax State ROTC, was among the estimated 28,000 runners participating in the 40th annual Army Ten-Miler (ATM) at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The ATM starts and finishes at the Pentagon with a course that travels through Washington and is the third-largest 10-mile road race in the world. Cadet Benoit finished in the top 0.01 percent at number #407, completing the race in 1 hour and 7 minutes.   

Benoit started running in sixth grade in his hometown of Lacassine, La. He and his family moved to Jacksonville in 2020, and after high school, he continued running for fun by signing up for 5ks around Alabama. He spent a few months training before the ATM, mostly doing speed work and slower long runs to build up endurance. "Before doing the ARMY Ten-Miler, I had never competitively raced that long of a distance," said Benoit, a sophomore nursing major. "I've only ever raced 5ks competitively. I needed to work heavily on my pacing when it came to planning my time goals for the race." This year's race had such a huge turnout that Benoit later learned he'd competed with Alabama runners he ran with in high school cross country and track. But it's not really who he's running against. "Long-distance running is a competition with other runners, but ultimately, it's been a competition within myself for many years now."  

The same could be said for Benoit's decision to join the ROTC. "I joined ROTC because I wanted to be a part of something greater than myself," he said. "It gave me the direction that I needed. Benoit also appreciated having an outlet other than classes. In high school, that was sports. At Jax State, ROTC has pushed him to maintain good health and strive to improve his overall physical fitness. Benoit's efforts have gotten the attention of Joseph Culver, Jax State ROTC Recruiting Operations Officer and Military Science Instructor. "Benoit is a phenomenal scholar, athlete and leader within our program," he said. 

Several of Benoit's family members have served in the military, including an uncle in Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the Louisiana National Guard Infantry, a cousin in the Navy and his younger brother in the Alabama National Guard, so being part of the Jax State ROTC provided direction. "I have gained a newfound purpose," he said, "and found a team that pushes each other to get better and accomplish their own goals." He's proud of what he accomplished in the ATM and hopes others will also be motivated. "Grab a running partner, get out, but ultimately do it for yourself," he said. "It's not about being the fastest, but about finishing."