Carson Miller and Julia Donovan grabbed top honors Saturday morning in the chilly Run the Cove Half Marathon in Hampton Cove.
The half and 10K kicked off at 7 a.m. on the Big Cove Creek Greenway across from Hampton Cove Middle School. The sun was peeking through the trees along the greenway but temps were in the 40s at launch. No problem. The group pitter-pattered along the greenway to the Flint River Greenway at Hays Nature Preserve, and then up Old 431 past the Hampton Cove ballfields.
At that point, after the protection of the wooded greenway, Mother Nature’s icy wind blasts were unwelcome. But the runners had options. The 10K finish was about two miles away, past the golf course range and behind the middle school. The half marathoners could turn under the highway and head on for 8.5 more miles of fun, or drop to the 10K and call it a day.
Almost 190 hearty warmed-up souls weren’t deterred by the wind and headed on through Hampton Cove. They scampered out to Ripple Lane, back up a few rolling hills, through the neighborhood and onto Big Cove Greenway seeking the finish line. The route is gorgeous, with stunning views on Ripple and a smidge of challenge with the rollers.
Miller, 37, of Madison, led the way, cruising to a 1:17:39 win by more than six minutes over Erick Kigen (1:23:41). Sam Thompson was third (1:25). Miller carried a 5:56 pace comfortably, akin to his fine outing in winning the Recover from the Holiday 50K last December.
Donovan, 41, of Huntsville, crossed in eighth place to claim the women’s division win, finishing in 1:34:30. That’s the second-best time for the race, behind Malia Gill’s 1:33:49 last year in the inaugural event.
Elena Johnson was second (9th) in 1:36:10, with Miranda Sisk third (11th) in 1:40:18.
Cove 10K
Justin Jones and Sylvia Rylee led a speedy 10K crew to the line, with the Top 10 sporting a 7:30 or faster pace along the flat route.
The course is perfect for PRs, with negligble elevation other than the two runnable bridges crossing the Flint River.
Jones covered the course with a 5:51 pace, finishing in 36:24 to win by more than three minutes. Gene DeSanti was second (39:43). Rylee was right behind, finishing third overall and winning top women’s honors. She crossed in 41:38.
Wesley Clemons was third in the men’s division (4th overall) in 43:37. Bryanna Wilson was second in the women’s division (8th overall) in 45:15, and Kimberley Mercier was third (11th) in 47:11.
See all results for the Half here and 10K here, and all photos from We Run Race Photos here for start, course and finish line.
Runners enjoyed an expo at the finish line Saturday, including hot and tasty grilled cheese sandwiches.
