For more than six miles Saturday morning, 1,430 runners enjoyed unseasonably cool temperatures at the 43rd Cotton Row Run 10K.
Shadrack Keter and David Bett brought the heat, though, all the way to the finish line on Church Street at Big Spring Park.
Keter, 22, of Chapel Hill, N.C., won the Cotton Row 10K title in 29:01. Bett, 30, of Mulot, Kenya, was just a few steps back and finished in 29:05 Dominic Korir, 30, of Los Angeles was third in 29:59.
Keter and Bett have been in this kind of finish before. Keter also was in a similar battle in the 2022 Cotton Row 10K. This year it was his time to shine.
The finish between Keter and Bett was reminiscent of last year’s clash between Keter and Gilbert Boit. Keter was runner-up to Boit by less than a second. The 2022 times were slower than this year’s postings by about six seconds. Keter and Bett maintained a 4:40 pace throughout, and Keter no doubt banked on knowledge from last year going into the final stretch.
Keter won the Apple Blossom 10K on May 7 in Winchester, Va., and Governor’s Cup half-marathon in Columbia, S.C., in mid-April. Bett, meanwhile, is no stranger to the podium. He won the Monterey Bay half-marathon last November in California, with Keter finishing third.
Lydiah Mathathi, 37, of Columbia, S.C., won the women’s title in 33:55. She was ninth overall. Mathathi was pushed by runner-up Joyline Chemutai, 29, of Pacific Palisades, Calif., who crossed in 34:01. Ester Gitahi, 24, of Tuscaloosa, was right behind Chemutai and crossed in 34:06. They were the only three women in the Top 31 finishers; six women finished in the Top 50 overall.
The field of 1,428 took off a bit after 9 a.m. under cool temps and sunshine. The 10K is one of the longest in the Southeast and most beloved events in the area.
See all the results of the Cotton Row 10K here.
Cotton Row Run 5K
Hunter Nails, 24, of Brownsboro, easily won the Cotton Row 5K in 16:18.
Ethan Brinkley, 16, of Huntsville, was second in 16:43. John Glidewell, 66, of Athens, was third in 17:46. Glidewell won the David McKannan Memorial 5K two weeks ago at Ditto Landing at the wire.
Samantha Crawford, 33, of Cullman, won the women’s 5K title in 21:36. She was 51st overall. Caitlin McCloud, 14, of Huntsville, was second (69th) in 22:26, and Ginny Matareese, 33, of Madison, was third (72nd) in 32:27.
The field of 1,254 was sent off under cloudy skies, gusty wind and unseasonably cool temperatures. The sun popped out momentarily but the clouds weren’t enough to dampen spirits.
See all the results of the Cotton Row 5K here.
Ainsley’s Angels 5K
Anthony Hutton, 10, of Toney, won the Ainsley’s Angels 5K in a quick time of 20 minutes.
Greg Thompson, 58, of Madison, was second in 27:14. Abigail Griffin, 8, was third and also won the women’s title, in 27:51.
Ainsley’s Angels aims to build awareness about the importance of inclusion through action. It has approximately 70 chapters in 30 states, including here in Alabama.
See all the results of the Ainsley’s Angels Cotton Row 5K category here.
Bill Penney Toyota is the presenting sponsor; it gave away $5,000 before the 10K and 5K events to runners who were on site and tickled with the financial boost. Fleet Feet is the Platinum sponsor. The Orthopaedic Center and TOC Sports Medicine are Gold sponsors. Silver sponsors are Just Love Coffee, Avadian Credit Union, Coca-Cola, Marco’s Pizza, Panera Bread and Focus Physiotherapy.
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