Final thoughts, notes and tidbits from the the 44th Cotton Row Run 10K held on Memorial Day in downtown Huntsville:
Runners in the 10K found cloudy skies and humid conditions for the 7 a.m. start, but that was far better than what blew through the area just a few hours earlier.
Tornado sirens screamed about 3:15 a.m. in Madison County as the first lines of severe weather began arriving from the northwest. Fortunately, other than some downed limbs and probably shingles blown off, the area avoided damage. However, the lightning, wind and rain was severe for about an hour as the small, powerful front moved through north Alabama.
It was a bit reminiscent of the Cotton Row Run from six or seven years ago when a quick, powerful storm blew up about two or three hours before the starting time. A giant tree was toppled atop Mountain Wood, the halfway point for the 10K. At the time, the start-finish line was on Clinton Street by the North Hall of the Von Braun Center. Runners were delayed by about 45 minutes while city utilities officials cut and removed the tree, and checked power lines.
Hail to the Elders!
The speedy times for the top finishers of the 10K and 5K races are fun to see, but don’t overlook the older age groups for some head-turning times.
Yes, the 4:45-per-mile pace by winner David Bett is mind-boggling. Imagine doing that going up Mountain Wood, never breaking stride or slowing (too much). The top runners who do this truly are cool to watch.
For our money, though, we’ll take those in the super senior grandmaster flash categories for awesome achievement. They’re they ones still at it, not sitting in rockin’ chairs complaining about every ailment real or imagined. They’re not bitching about the world burning and blaming everyone else for this or that. They damned sure don’t have the “I can’t do that!” mentality so many others have and espouse.
Heroes and Legends, in our book. Who are they? Here are some examples and their 5K or 10K times:
— Jean McCrady, Brownsboro, age 90, 46:42 in the 5K
— Dolores Everett, Huntsville, 83, 1:06 in the 5K
— Donna Cancel, Huntsville, 76, 33:03 in the 5K
— Bill Bowman, Birmingham, 80, 34:26 in the 5K
— Pam Wilmore, Huntsville, 70, 1:12 in the 10K
— Jackie Phillips, Columbus, Ga., 80, 1:36 in the 10K
— Ray Fanning, Huntsville, 84, 1:03 in the 10K
— Bruce McIntire, Huntsville, 76, 1:02 in the 10K
— Barry Ege, Hanceville, 71, 45:24 in the 10K
Love to see the age group categories and all the folks finishing, no matter the clock time!
‘Ran All’ Strong Again
The six men who have run every Cotton Row Run 10K completed it again Monday morning, each with solid times.
— Charles Van Valkenburg, 67, Key West, Fla., 56:16
— Don Hillis, 67, New Market, 1:02:41
— Jon D. Turner, 76, Ardmore, 1:11:23
— Kevin Jose, 63, Huntsville, 1:15:26
— Bill Allbritton, 69, Scottsboro, 1:19:51
— Bill McDowell, 70, Huntsville, 1:31:39
Very cool!
By the Numbers
Some final numbers from the races:
— 10K official finishers: 1, 434
— 10K time range: 29:29 to 1:51:06
— 10K Age Group winners time range: 29:29 to 1:36:07
— 5K official finishers: 1,257
— 5K time range: 16:46 to 1:08:12
— 5K Age Group winners time range: 16:46 to 46:42
Ainsley’s Angels 5K
The Ainsley’s Angels 5K race had eight finishers, with Anthony Hutton of Toney crossing first in 20:24. Shannon Green of Toney was next in 27:33, and MJ Olivia of Huntsville was third in 37:31.
Check out all of the finisher times here.
Ainsley’s Angels is an international organization that aims to ensure everyone can experience endurance events. It also strives to promote awareness of special needs through inclusive, positive actions.
Thanks, Sponsors!
Putting on an event like the Cotton Row Run isn’t easy. It may look easy and somewhat seamless, but behind the scenes there are hair-on-fire moments and a lot of planning.
In a nutshell, consider all this: choosing the date of an event, permits with city officials, fees, establishing a course, deciding if the course should be certified (more time involved), securing volunteers, security, aid stations (which need volunteers), securing sponsors (which help), and much more. One “much more” item involves notifying the residents and businesses along the route. Another is insurance, in case something happens. If an event is at a place ilke John Hunt Park, a rental fee may be involved along with checking to see if other events conflict.
Sponsors contribute greatly to an event, either financially, with products or with other assistance. Major events get a boost and the sponsors get recognition. Putting your name in front of more than 3,000 people is a nice pop. While the Huntsville Track Club could put on a big race without sponsors, having them definitely helps.
The presenting sponsor of the Cotton Row Run is Bill Penney Toyota, which hosts the pre-event packet pickup . It’s been on board for seven years. This year it gave away several thousand dollars via drawing to runners in attendance. If you weren’t there, tough cookies. Those who were got a nice little bump in the wallet. The vehicles at the starting line also were gorgeous, especially the blue pickup. Yowza!
Other sponsors this year included the City of Huntsville, Fleet Feet, The Orthopaedic Center, TOC Sports Medicine, Eclipse Apartment Residences, United Rentals, Marco’s Pizza, Panera Bread, Costco, Vein Center of Madison Hospital, Avadian Credit Union, Focus Physiotherapy, Armstrong, Squeeze Massage and Coca-Cola.
If you got a post-run stretch, enjoyed a slice of pizza and Coke, slammed a few bottles of chilled water or otherwise enjoyed the music and hangout area, give a little woot-woot for the sponsors.
MAIN PHOTO: Scott Butler of Madison (front) and Ryan Sottolano of Huntsville steam toward the finish line at the 44th Cotton Row Run 10K on Monday. (Photo by Perla L. Núñez)
