“The Panther Pride,” the pep band of Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, performed as the official high school band for this year’s Army 10-Miler in early October.
This is the 33rd year for the Army Ten-Miler, one of the largest Ten-mile races in the country. The race is a qualifier for Olympic trials so it attracts Olympic hopefuls from all over the world.
This year’s race drew 35,000 runners to the nation’s capital and reached tens of thousands of Americans stationed abroad with simulcast video-feeds and concurrent races.
Paul VI had 60 musicians performing at the seven-mile point to the passing runners.
Bystanders reported that the band could be heard as far as three blocks away with rousing renditions of ”The Hey Song,” “Rocky” and “Summon the Heroes.”
This event has been a tradition for Paul VI’s pep band for the past 10 years.
“Every year we go downtown hoping that our playing will help inspire the athletes, and instead we all return commenting on how inspired we are,” said Paul VI Band Director Jan Siegfried.
