PELHAM — James Ebert knew his closest pursuers weren’t far behind, which pushed him harder to the finish line at the 14th Hotter Than Hell 18-mile trail run.
Ebert’s fleet feet and final surge paid off with the win. He finished in 2:54:31 on the challenging, rain-soaked course at Oak Mountain State Park. The event, on July 20, is part of the Southeastern Trail Series put on by Southeastern Trail Runs.
Drew Jackson of Vestavia was right behind Ebert, finishing in 2:55:06. Larkin Watters of Bessemer was third in 2:55:50.
“It was a good race, with a tight field to the finish,” Ebert said. (He’s in the middle, in the red shirt, in the photo above.)
Ebert won the inaugural Southern States 200 this spring, and also claimed the Dizzy Fifties 50K here on Monte Sano last autumn. He was second in the 2024 Lake Martin 50-miler and also in the Across Florida 200 last autumn.
Lindi Chapman of Cleveland, Tenn., won the women’s title in 3:09:11. Sadie Wielfaert, also of Cleveland, was second (9th overall) in 3:23:33.
Christy Scott of Owens Cross Roads claimed the Women’s Grand Masters honors. She finished 28th in 4:01:11
The Hotter Than Hell 18-miler offered a bit of everything: heat, humidity, rain, some slick trail conditions, and a nice dose of elevation at the state park. Runners climb to the top of Double Oak Mountain and then descend into Peavine Gorge.
Other TVO area athletes in the Top 35 included:
— Josh Cornett of Madison, fourth in 2:56:11
— Logan Cooner of Jasper, Tenn., 8th in 3:21
— Jonathan Culwell of Signal Mountain, Tenn., 16th in 3:39
— Tony Aluia of New Market, 31st in 4:04
— Donnie Smith of Huntsville, 34th in 4:05
Chad Woods of Huntsville was third in the 18-mile Clydesdale division, finishing in 4:56:55.
See all of the Hotter Than Hell results here for each category.
MAIN PHOTO: James Ebert of Huntsville (middle), with runner-up Drew Jackson of Vestavia (right) and Larkin Watters of Bessemer (left). (Photo by Marathon Runs via Ebert)
