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JUST IN: Army Ten-Miler is still happening despite government shutdown

The annual Army Ten-Miler race is still taking place this weekend despite the government shutdown.

The race with over 28,000 registered participants will take place as scheduled at 8 a.m. on Sunday — beginning and ending, as usual, at the Pentagon, the U.S. Army announced in a press release today.

Concerns about a potential cancelation spread earlier this week, as the race route runs through federal lands. On Monday, race director Matt Zimmerman said in a statement that “unforeseen circumstances” had the potential to shut down Army Ten-Miler for the second time in its 40-year history.

Runners must pick up their packets during the race’s expo, happening from 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday at The St. James’ basketball court in Springfield.

The race encourages spectators to stand at the following locations.

  • Key Bridge
  • Independence Avenue SW, between 14th and 7th Streets
  • Army Navy Drive and Eads Street
  • Finish line at the Pentagon North Lot, off of Pentagon Access Road

More race day information, including a complete list of road closures from the Arlington County Police Department, is below.

Road Closures

5-9 a.m.

  • Army Navy Drive, from S. Hayes Street to S. Fern Street
  • S. Fern Street, between 12th Street S. and Army Navy Drive
  • Exit 8A, on southbound I-395

5-10 a.m.

  • Eastbound Wilson Boulevard, from N. Kent Street to Route 110 (Southbound traffic from Arlington Ridge Road and N. Kent Street will be permitted to travel westbound on Wilson Boulevard)
  • Westbound I-66, from Washington D.C. to Exit 73 (Closed by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Virginia State Police)

5 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • Army Navy Drive, from S. Fern Street to 12th Street S. (Traffic from northbound S. Fern Street will be permitted to travel west on Army Navy Drive after approximately 9:00 a.m.)
  • S. Eads Street, between 12th Street S. and Army Navy Drive (Traffic coming from residences or hotels in the area will be permitted to travel southbound on S. Eads Street via 11th Street S.)
  • S. Eads Street, from Army Navy Drive into the Pentagon reservation/northbound I-395 HOV lanes
  • Exit 10A, on northbound I-395 (Access to the George Washington Memorial Parkway will remain open)
  • Exit 10A, on southbound I-395
  • Exit 9, on southbound I-395
  • Exit 8B, on southbound I-395
  • Northbound I-395 HOV exit to Pentagon City/S. Eads Street
  • Northbound I-395 HOV from Crystal City to the 14th Street Bridge
  • Southbound I-395 HOV exit to S. Eads Street / Pentagon South Parking

5 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • Route 110 in both directions, between Rosslyn and Crystal City
  • Exit 75, on eastbound I-66

7:45 a.m.-10 a.m.

  • N. Lynn Street, from the top of the ramp at westbound I-66 (Exit 73) to the Key Bridge (Northbound N. Lynn Street traffic will be diverted westbound on Langston Boulevard)
  • Fort Myer Drive, from the Key Bridge to Langston Boulevard

7:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  • 12th Street S., between S. Eads Street and Long Bridge Drive (Residents will be permitted to access the garages on 12th Street S.)
  • Long Bridge Drive, between 12th Street S. and Boundary Channel Drive
  • Exit 8C, on southbound I-395

In addition, there will be no access to, or egress from, the Pentagon North Parking lot and Boundary Channel Drive on Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Parking for Pentagon employees and Pentagon Memorial patrons will only be available in the Pentagon South Parking lot, which is accessible via Columbia Pike and S. Joyce Street.

Arriving on Race Day

Runners and support personnel are encouraged to utilize multimodal and ridesharing services, as parking in the area is limited. A designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone has been established on both sides of S. Hayes Street, between Army Navy Drive and 12th Street S. Spectators are encouraged to use Metro and other public transportation options. The Pentagon and Pentagon City Metro stations (Blue and Yellow lines) are located within walking distance to the start and finish lines and will open at 7:00 a.m. on race day.

The public should expect to see an increased police presence in the area, and motorists are urged to follow law enforcement direction, be mindful of closures, and remain alert for increased pedestrian traffic. Motorists should be on the lookout for temporary “No Parking” signs. Illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed or towed. If your vehicle is towed, please use the online portal to find out the status of your vehicle and where it is located. The online portal is updated in real time. If you cannot locate your vehicle or need additional support using the online portal, call the County non-emergency number at 703-558-2222.

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

The safety and security of runners and spectators remains a top priority for law enforcement. The public is encouraged to be vigilant and attentive, particularly in areas with large crowds of people. Suspicious behavior, items, vehicles and unattended packages should be reported immediately to police for investigation. Spectators and runners may report information directly to police personnel stationed throughout the race route or by calling 9-1-1 in an emergency.

Stay Informed

Register for Arlington Alert to receive emergency alerts and other important information from Arlington County Government. In the event of a weather-related emergency or unforeseen circumstance, follow police direction.

About the Author

  • Dan Egitto is an editor and reporter at ARLnow. Originally from Central Florida, he graduated from Duke University and previously reported at the Palatka Daily News in Florida and the Vallejo Times-Herald in California. Dan joined ARLnow in January 2024.