WASHINGTON 鈥� It鈥檚 an annual tradition for 35,000 people in the capital region 鈥� and while weather conditions weren鈥檛 ideal, it wasn’t bad either as the Army Ten-Miler ran from the Pentagon, through D.C., and back again Sunday morning.
Runners came from every state and even other countries to run.
At exactly 8 a.m., as a few rain drops fell, the starter鈥檚 pistol fired, the cannon thundered, and the first of several waves of runners took off north along Route 110.
The first woman has crossed the finish line at the Army 10 Miler
鈥� John Domen (@JDDsays)
Inside those throngs of people were runners of all caliber, from the serious competitors to those who just wanted to enjoy a trip around the nation鈥檚 monuments.
This year鈥檚 winner was Haran Lagat, who finished the race in well under an hour.
Less than hour later we have a winner! Hear from the winner of the Army 10 Miler today
鈥� John Domen (@JDDsays)
He made clear he was in it to win it, using the word 鈥渟erious鈥� several times. After jumping out to an early lead, he says he slowed things down a bit during the fourth mile before running away with things.
鈥淎t the fifth mile I just took off,鈥� said Lagat, who said the humidity wasn鈥檛 so bad but was admittedly bothered by the sprinkling of rain that occasionally fell. 鈥淭he ground was a little bit wet and slippery, and our clothes were so wet 鈥� that affected me more than the humidity.鈥�
The winning female runner was Susan Tanui, who also finished the race in under an hour.
The winner of the Wounded Warrior division was a Maryland man named Scot Seiss of Rocky Ridge, in Frederick County.
Scot Seiss of Rocky Ridge, MD wins the wounded warrior division. Second time for him. Hear more from him today
鈥� John Domen (@JDDsays)
鈥淚 enjoy competing,鈥� Seiss said. 鈥淭his is the only time I get to see a lot of these guys,鈥� he added, pointing to a group of other competitors in their racing hand cycles.
鈥淓very race is kind of a mini-reunion and we all enjoy the competition.鈥�
Major Kelly Calway, a teacher at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and also a marathon coach there, lamented the high humidity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like a thousand percent today,鈥� she joked but she relished being a part of the race once again.
鈥淭he monuments are so inspiring,鈥� Calway said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 beautiful. I look forward to coming here every year. I鈥檓 moving down here next year. This is going to be my home turf next year! It鈥檚 absolutely stunning.鈥�
