The annual Cotton Row Runs have been held since 1980, one of the longest running events in the Southeast and a Memorial Day staple for the Rocket City.
Six runners have competed in every event. All are 61 years old or older, making this unique group fantastically cool and a big part of the holiday tradition. They get acknowledged and the crowd cheers, but once the race begins they meld into the field and do their thing.
Here are the super six who have run every Cotton Row since it began:
Bill Allbritton, 67, Scottsboro
Don Hillis, 65, New Market
Kevin Jose, 61, Huntsville
Bill McDowell, 68, Huntsville
Jon D. Turner, 71, Ardmore, Tenn.
Charles Van Valkenburgh, 65, Huntsville
Carl Smith, the longtime official scorer for the Huntsville Track Club, created a special category for the group. The “Ran All” division lists the six runners, which makes it easier to find in the standings. And, it’s special, as it should be.
These are their times for the 2023 Cotton Row Run 10K. Pretty amazing!
Race Director Retiring
Cotton Row race director Donna Palumbo is retiring after Monday’s events. The races require year-round planning to make everything flow smoothly.
Having helped plan several conferences, I know that nothing ever goes 100-percent smoothly. Something always happens, often behind the scenes, that in the moment seems like a hair-on-fire situation. But calm, cool and collected leaders get the job done and few are any wiser about a generator that spazzed out, not enough pizza for dinner or volunteers who didn’t show up.
“This is my final year directing Cotton Row,” Palumbo told TVO. “It has been such a great experience. It has been an honor and privilege to do it.”
By the Numbers
Cotton Row’s 10K and 5K have traditionally been well-attended, thanks to the smooth operation and certified courses, and the addition of the 1-mile Fun Run has gotten more folks involved. The latter includes kids and those who want to enjoy a good time but not pound the asphalt for three or six miles. And there are some who will do all three events to get a smooth 10-mile morning before enjoying the holiday.
This year, race director Donna Palumbo said as of Wednesday the 10K has 1,508 runners registered. The 5K has 1,265 and the Fun Run has 190.
That’s about 30 shy of 3,000 runners. Palumbo said 19 states are represented so far, and typically another 300 or so runners register on Sunday, the last day to do so.
“We are ahead of last year,” she said. “Race participation dropped drastically during COVID and is starting to rise again.”
Late Registration, Pickup
Late registration will be available Sunday from 1-5 p.m. at Bill Penney Toyota on University Drive during the race expo.
There is no race-day registration. Online registration already is closed, and Sunday is the last chance to sign up.
Race day packet pickup will be available at specific times prior to each event. Check the times here. Get there early to avoid the rush.
Take a look at the Cotton Row race routes here for parking possibilities. It’s easier to part on the periphery, walk a little bit, and not be inside the race routes.
Cotton Row Records
Do you have what it takes to set a Cotton Row 10K record and win one of the cash awards? If so, look at the times of the existing 10K records in the four award categories:
- Open Male: Linus Kiplagat, 2018, 28:39
- Open Female: Catherine Syokau Mwan, 2019, 32.51
- Master Male: Andrew Masai, 2000, 29:38
- Master Female: Ramilia Burangulova, 2003, 33:34
Along with the times, look at the years these records were set. The youngest are four and five years old. The oldest are 23 and 20 years old, in the Masters categories. It stands to reason the Open categories might have younger records, with some top collegians in the field in the last few years.
My gut feeling is this year, the Master Male record falls. Just a hunch.
Cotton Row Sponsors
Along with the volunteers who offer tremendous aid, some visible and more behind the scenes, the sponsors who help put on the races deserve a shoutout.
Bill Penney Toyota is the presenting sponsor, with Fleet Feet as 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.
All will be on-site at the events Monday with food, beverages, goodies and assistance if you need a stretch or advice.
