Uniformed Services University Student Earns Spot on Team USA After Strong Finish at Armed Forces Cross Country Championships
Navy Ensign Elizabeth Sullivan’s individual bronze medal and team gold medal were her ticket to the International Military Sports Council Military World Winter Games in Switzerland.
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Navy Ensign Elizabeth Sullivan races to second place in the women’s division of the 2025 Armed Forces Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Championship at Windcrest Golf Club in Windcrest, Texas, on Jan. 25, 2025. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom) |
February 4, 2025 by Sharon Holland
Navy Ensign Elizabeth Sullivan, a student at the Uniformed Services University’s (USU) F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, continues to stand out in the military running community. Competing in the Armed Forces Cross Country Championships at the Windcrest Country Club in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 25, Sullivan secured a bronze medal with a time of 28:59.3—an impressive feat in a field that includes elite military athletes and professional runners. Her performance not only contributed to the Navy team's first-place finish but also earned her a spot on Team USA for the upcoming International Military Sports Council (CISM) Military World Winter Games in Lucerne, Switzerland.
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| Ensign Elizabeth Sullivan, left, from Portsmouth, R.I., and Lt. Madison Overby, right, from Austin, Minn., finish second and third for the Navy in the 2025 Armed Forces Women’s Cross Country Championship at Windcrest Golf Club in Windcrest, Texas, on Jan. 25, 2025. The top five female finishers will earn a spot in the International Military Sports Council (CISM) World Winter Games in Lucerne, Switzerland on March 21. (Department of Defense photo by MC1 Colby A. Mothershead) |
USU, she was a standout runner at the U.S. Naval Academy, where she competed in NCAA cross country and track and field. Transitioning to medical school, she found a way to balance rigorous academics with her passion for running, earning a place on the highly selective All-Navy Women’s Cross Country team. Each year, only six female athletes—drawn from across the Navy and Coast Guard—are chosen for this elite squad.
Sullivan competed in the 8K event against 23 other female runners at this year’s Armed Forces Cross Country Championships. Building on her strong performance from last year—where she earned a silver medal in Mechanicsville, Virginia—Sullivan once again demonstrated her endurance and competitive spirit.
This year’s race was particularly challenging, with tough competition across all branches. “The top runner for the Army ran an incredibly strong race, which was really inspiring,” Sullivan said. “My Navy teammates worked so hard over the final kilometer, and seeing how strong they were closing toward the finish really motivated me and helped me push hard to the end.”
Her preparation for the race was equally demanding. While starting her family medicine rotation at Eglin Air Force Base, she spent weeks training around the base after long days at the hospital. “One of my best friends from school was in Florida with me, and we often ran together to keep each other motivated,” she said. “Other times, I would call my family while running—it was my brain break and a way to relax after a busy day.”
Sullivan also considers terrain and elevation as part of her training. “Florida is very flat, but I’ll be heading to Washington for my next rotation. I’m excited to try running at higher elevations and on new terrains while I’m there,” she said.
Beyond the race itself, the support of her family and classmates made the event even more special. “My family has been at every race since the beginning to cheer me on and celebrate, no matter the outcome,” Sullivan said. “Seeing my classmates there was also amazing. Going through something as challenging as medical school together has made us so close, and I feel so blessed to be part of a class that truly supports each other in every aspect of life.”
Her boyfriend, 2nd Lt. Brad Snively, a fellow USU student currently on rotation in San Antonio, was able to watch the competition unfold. “It was really lucky that her race happened to be here at the same time as my rotation,” Snively said. “The course was open, so we could see most of the race and support her at multiple points. When she crossed the finish line, it was a very cool moment—she put in so much time and effort training, and I knew how much this meant to her.”
Snively had no doubts about her performance. “I was confident she’d do a great job based on her past races, so seeing her get a podium finish and help the Navy team win gold wasn’t a big surprise,” he said. “But it was still an amazing moment to witness because I knew how hard she had worked for it.”
Now, Sullivan is preparing for the next challenge—competing at the CISM Military World Championships in Switzerland from March 23-30 as part of the Armed Forces Team USA. CISM, the second-largest international sporting event after the Olympics, brings together military athletes from around the world to compete at the highest level.
Despite the demands of medical school, Sullivan remains committed to both her studies and her sport. “I love the challenge,” she said. “Running keeps me grounded, and I’m excited to see how far I can go.”
