Soldier-athletes win the 35th annual Army Ten-Miler

By Brittany Nelson, IMCOM October 15, 2019 

WASHINGTON -- After a 10 mile run trailing around national monuments in Washington, D.C., Spc. Lawi Lalang, from Fort Carson, a member of the 2019 All-Army Ten Miler team, crossed the finish line with a time of 48:38, making him the men's champion of the 2019 Army Ten Miler. Spc. Elvin Kibet, also a member of the 2019 All-Army Ten Miler team, earned first in the women division with a time of 54:05.

"It was so great out there, I have no words to describe how I am feeling," said Kibet, a Soldier-athlete in the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program "I had Soldiers cheering me on, it was like no race I have ever done before."

An All-Army Ten-Miler team Soldier-athlete has won the Army Ten-Miler every year since 2015.

Lalang, a horizontal construction engineer, kept a mile pace of 4:51 during his first ever Army-Ten Miler.

"Spc. Benard Keter and I started with a pretty fast pace," said Lalang. "At mile seven I pushed it a little bit more and that's when I knew I had it. I won this race for the Army."

Keter, also a WCAP Solider-athlete, won second place overall for the men with a time of 49:04. Lalang has an extensive running background including being an eight time NCAA Division 1 National Champion at the University of Arizona.

Kibet ran at the University of Arizona where she broke the school's women's 5,000 meter record. She kept a mile pace of 5:24 and knew she was going to win after mile four.

"When we started it was a big crowd and I wasn't sure if there were females in front of me but when I got to mile four someone said 'first female' and I thought 'Oh that's me!," said Kibet. "The rest of the way I kept hearing first female and I was confident that I was going to win."

The 2019 All-Army Ten-Miler team was made up of six Soldier-athletes from around the world and coached by retired Col. Liam Collins. Three of the Soldier-athletes are members of WCAP.

Kibet also won first place in the female military division. Maj. Kelly Calway, a member of the All-Army Ten Miler team, won second place for the female military division. 

Over 35,000 people participated in the 2019 Army-Ten Miler with more than half of the runners affiliated with the Military.

"The best part was running with my fellow Soldiers," said Lalang. "Seeing the Soldiers cheer you on is the greatest feeling. I have wanted to win the Army Ten-Miler since basic training and now my dream has come true."

Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy and Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Joseph Martin were present at the finish line of the race to congratulate Lalang and Kibet. Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston and Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville were on stage during the ceremony to hand the winners their awards. 

"Being congratulated by the senior Army leadership was great," said Lalang. "I had just finished the race so I didn't realize who had given me a coin then I looked down at it and thought 'Oh my gosh that's the Secretary of the Army!' It was indescribable." 

Up next for Lalang is the seventh CISM Military World Games where he will compete in the 1,500 meter race. Both Lalang and Kibet are also gearing up for the Olympics trials for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

"The preparation for the Games has already started," said Lalang. "Doing a race like this ten miler is a great tempo run. Now I will focus on staying consistent and believing in myself."

The Army Ten-Miler was established to support Army fitness goals, promote the Army and building esprit de corps. All race proceeds benefit Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation program, which includes All-Army Sports. 

The 2019 All-Army Ten Miler team members include: Spc. Michael Biwott from Fort Hood, Maj. Kelly Calway from Fort Jackson, Sgt. Peter Koskey from USAG Humphreys, and WCAP Soldiers Spc. Bernard Keter, Spc. Elvin Kibet, Spc. Lawi LaLang, all from Fort Carson. Retired Col. Liam Collins coached the team.