Army 10-Miler women’s division winner Jenny Simpson poses for a photo with men’s division winner Luke Peterson after Sunday’s race at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
ARLINGTON, Va. — George Washington University law student Luke Peterson doesn't have any collegiate cross country eligibility left, so his plan for 2022 was to "simulate a fall season" by running in a series of races.
So far, his plan is working pretty well. Sunday morning, Peterson led from start to finish in the 38th Army 10-Miler, keeping a steady pace right around the five-minute mark for a winning time of 49 minutes, 58.24 seconds.
"It’s my first 10-Miler," Peterson said. "My coach thought it was a good idea, and I think he’s right."
In the women's race, Jenny Simpson of Boulder, Colo., stepping up in distance and recovering from injuries that have sidelined her for a year, was the winner in a time of 54:15.43.
Peterson admitted that "I wasn't expecting" to win. "I really just wanted to break 50 (minutes) and just compete really well, and it just happened that I was out there in front and tried to hold everyone off."
George Washington University Law School student Luke Peterson crosses the finish line as the winner of the Army 10-Miler Sunday at the Pentagon. Peterson, who led all the way, was timed in 49:58.24, about 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Makorobondo Salukombo. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Jenny Simpson of Boulder, Colo., stepping up in distance and recovering from injuries that have sidelined her for a year, was the winner of the women’s race in a time of 54:15.43. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Peterson enjoyed a comfortable lead throughout the run through the streets of Washington, D.C., with a time of 24:53 at the halfway point, and although other runners occasionally seemed to be closing the gap he ended with a 15-second advantage over runner-up Makorobondo Salukombo (50:13.73).
"I was really hoping to break 50," Peterson said, "so the last 100 (yards) I really had to go for it."
The other runners hoping to outkick him weren't helped by the fact that Peterson ran a 4:10 mile while he was a student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Simpson, 36, gained fame on the track at a shorter distance, the 1,500 meters. She is the 2011 world champion, and she earned a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. She also has two world championships silver medals, in 2013 and 2017.
“I could tell late in the race that my legs still need some of that hardening up, some long effort,” she said. “Today was just part of that.”
Second place went to Sophia King in 56:08.49.
Simpson called the 10-Miler "a tune-up for the beginning of next year. I've never run a half, and I wanted to do this before I try to run a half marathon."
Army runners pose for a photo after the Army 10-Miler Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Runners approach the finish line of the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The Army’s Golden Knights parachute team performs before the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Wheelchair competitors start the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The color guard during the playing of the national anthem before the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Runners and spectators watch as the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team performs before the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Wheelchair and Wounded Warrior competitors start the Army 10-Miler pn Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Runners in the Army 10-Miler break from the starting line Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (JJoe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Runners in the Army 10-Miler break from the starting line Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Eventual winner Luke Peterson already has a big lead as he passes Wounded Warrior participants early in the Army 10 Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Eventual winner Luke Peterson is all alone with about 2 miles to go in the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Makorobondo Salukombo salutes as he crosses the finish line as runner-up in the men’s division of the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Young specators greet runners near the finish line of the Army 10-Miler on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, at the Pentagon. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
