PENTAGON, Va. — The 41st annual Army Ten-Miler began before sunrise Sunday under low clouds and a stiff nor’easter wind that pushed across the Pentagon’s north lot.
Despite an active government shutdown that has limited some on-base services, the nation’s largest 10-mile race moved forward with fewer non-essential vendor stations than in previous years.
Elite runners start the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Even so, spirits were high as roughly 28,000 participants, including active-duty service members, veterans, wounded warriors, ROTC teams and military families packed Richmond Highway to warm up and stretch. A howitzer blast at 8 a.m. sent the first wave of runners onto the 10-mile course through Arlington and across the Potomac River.
The cooler weather was a welcome change compared to the heat often associated with past Army Ten-Milers, and crowds gathered near the final turn back toward the Pentagon where cadets and volunteers lined the finish chute with medals and bottles of water.
Men’s winner Sam Chelanga celebrates following the annual Army Ten-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners compete in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners compete in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Sam Chelanga and Michelle Vaccaro won the men’s and women’s divisions of the annual Army Ten-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Sam Chelanga finishes in first place in the male division of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners prepare before the start of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Women’s first place winner Michelle Vaccaro crosses the finish line during the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners compete in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
First place winner Sam Chelanga, right, greets supporters during the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners compete in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Women’s second place winner Elizabeth Sullivan, left, celebrates with first place winner Michelle Vaccaro during the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
A participant in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo gives a thumbs up before the event starts on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners prepare before the start of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
A Color Guard displays the colors before the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo commences on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll speaks during the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners compete in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
A ceremonial howitzer is fired at the beginning of each race of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Elkanah Kibet finishes in second place in the male division followed by third place Peter Borger during the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners prepare before the start of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
A solider prepares flags before the start of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners compete in the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Runners prepare before the start of the Army’s annual Army Ten-Mile Race and Expo on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Sam Chelanga, 40, claimed the men’s title in 48:43.01, averaging a 4:52 mile. The former Army World Class Athlete Program runner, who also won the 2020 and 2024 events, maintained a steady lead ahead of Elkanah Kibet and Peter Borger in the final stretch.
In the women’s division, Michelle Vaccaro, a PhD candidate at MIT’s Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, took first with a time of 56:44.33 and a 5:40 pace, followed by Elizabeth Sullivan and Marybgeth Chelanga.
All race proceeds benefit the Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation program, which funds fitness, childcare, housing and community support initiatives for service members and their families, a mission that carried weight this year as many civilian employees who support those programs faced furloughs under the ongoing shutdown.
