A new course, two shattered state age records and gorgeous weather highlighted the UAH 8K road race Sunday afternoon at the University of Alabama-Huntsville campus.
Josh Whitehead of Madison repeated as champ, posting a 26:35.4 finish to erase the state age record for 46-year-olds. The previous mark was 27:10, set by Don Wright of Mobile on March 2, 1991. Whitehead now holds the 5-mile records for ages 43-46.
Kathy Harper of Athens obliterated the record for 74-year-olds with her speedy time of 46:10.1. Harper smashed the mark of 47:49 set by Marian Loftin of Montgomery in 2021. Harper also holds the 5-mile record for 72-year-olds, set two years ago.
Whitehead won by about 80 seconds, with Erick Kigen, 36, of Huntsville crossing in 27:55. Daniel Sillivant, 38, of Huntsville, was third in 27:59, nipping at Kigen’s heels at the finish.
The women’s title was determined by a spirited finish, with the top three crossing within seconds of each other.
Kaylee Sharp, 22, of Huntsville, won the women’s title in 36:16. She was 22nd overall. Sahana Parker, 23, of Huntsville, battled her to the finish, crossing next in 36:16. Bryana Wilson, 36, of Toney, was third (24th) in 36:30.
David Bains, 32, of Huntsville, won the Male Masters title, in 32:16. He was seventh overall. Vivian Zou, 54, of Huntsville, won the Female Masters in 39 minutes. She was 34th overall.
Race director Tommy Morris supervised the retooling of the course, which routes through the UAH campus. The certified course is flatter, with only 116 feet elevation gain in the middle. The course gives runners a longer stretch paralleling Sparkman Drive past the Duck Pond. Certification allows for age or other records, as well.
Official finishers were down about 50 from last year. Competing events in the area likely pulled away some runners. Weather conditions were excellent, with sun and temps in the 50s.
The race was facilitated by the Huntsville Track Club, which will host its annual Rocket Run 10-Miler on March 15 in Mooresville. This race also is flat, fast and certified, and is a super chance to set a state age record.
See the final UAH 8K overall results here, and the age group results here. See photos of the UAH 8K by Sayuri Beltran here.
MAIN PHOTO: Josh Whitehead of Madison speeds along the UAH 8K course Sunday afternoon en route to his win and state age group record. Photo by Sayuri Beltran.
