Back in April 2025, James Ebert was truckin’ along on the Pinhoti Trail attempting to set the fastest known time for the south-north route. After roughly 18 months of wins and podium finishes in endurance events, this would be a solid way to head into summer.
Ebert’s knee had other plans. Less than a day into the FKT attempt, persistent pain shut down the attempt. Instead of taking a few weeks off and hard-heading it back, Ebert did a full reset. It wasn’t easy. The winner of two Southern States 200-milers and other long events was on the sideline. Months of rest, rehab, cross-training, biking, buildup running and smart activity was in the plans.
The rehab paid off Feb. 7, as Ebert won the Black Toe Run 24-hour endurance crown with 101.73 miles in 23 hours, 3 minutes. The event was held in Watertown, Tenn. Ebert’s time is a course record. The previous 24-hour record was 85 miles, held by three runners. The trail event has a smidge of elevation; his final total was 19,793 feet.
The Black Toe Run is a 12-, 24- and 48-hour endurance event for individuals, relay and ruck teams. The course is a +/- 5-mile trail loop with approximately 1,000 feet of elevation gain per lap. Athletes attempt to complete as many loops as possible during their time.
Ebert’s win highlights the latest WKND Wrap featuring TVO-area athletes and their accomplishments.
Railway Marathon, 50K
Jake Baker of Huntsville and Linda Royce of Meridianville nabbed podium spots in the Railway 50K on Feb. 7 in Fultondale.
Baker, 27, was second overall in 4:29:13, while Royce, 42, was third overall and won the women’s title. She finished in 4:39:57.
Bailey Tarvin of Boaz finished fifth in the Railway Marathon, crossing in 3:12:20. Gary Paradis of Chattanooga was ninth, in 3:26:09. Kimberly Hall of Fort Payne was 31st (4:11:47), Natalie Austin of Athens slipped into the Top 50 at 49th, in 4:51:55.
Alex Tucker of Madison was 16th in the half-marathon in 1:27:42. C.J. Mann of Madison was 10th in the 10K, in 47:17,
See all of the results here (toggle the menu to switch events).
Mardi Gras 5K
Nathaniel Pierce claimed top honors in the 10th annual Mardi Gras 5K on Saturday in downtown Huntsville.
Pierce zipped to a comfortable 17:35 win, with Kelsey Hodges right behind in 17:54. Andrew Walker (18:06) and William Shaver (18:11) battled for third.
The spirited field of 79 took off from Taco Mama and headed up Lowery to Williams. It made a big loop around part of Old Huntsville, back through downtown, past the VBC and back to the finish at Taco Mama. King Cake snacks didn’t last long.
The Mardi Gras 5K benefits the Blount Hospitality House, a home away from home for families who have medical concerns at Huntsville Hospital.
See all of the results here.
Adam’s Heart Run
PELHAM — Samantha Whitehead of Madison won the women’s title at the Adam’s Heart Run 10-miler on Jan. 28 at Oak Mountain State Park.
Whitehead finished 13th overall, in 1:13:16. Runners battled wind chill temps near zero, snow and winds of 15-35 mph gusts.
Josh Whitehead of Madison was second overall and set an Alabama 10-mile age record for 47-year-olds. He crossed the line in 56:22.
The previous record of 56:31 was set in 2006 by George DeWitt of Madison during the annual Huntsville Track Club 10-mile race. That event currently is scheduled for March 21 in Mooresville.
See all of the Adam’s Heart Run results here.
Sparkman Percussion 5K
Colton Zimmerman sped to a comfortable win Saturday in the Sparkman Percussion 5K in Harvest.
Zimmerman, 15, of Harvest, finished in 16:34. Tyler Harris, 27, of Athens, was second in 18:54.
Ayla Hintz, 15, of Harvest, won the women’s division and was fifth overall. She finished in 23 minutes.
See all of the results here.
