With the tiny cannon boom that evoked freedom’s repulse of dirty British aggressors 245 years ago, more than 740 runners took off Thursday morning with smiles and cheers in the Freedom 5K.
The quiet streets of downtown Huntsville were replete with shades of red, white and blue after the 7 a.m. start near the Huntsville Museum of Art. Runners from ages 5 to 75 scooted past the city’s history: Big Spring and John Hunt’s settlement, gorgeous old houses, the first Masonic Temple, the boyhood homesite of Dr. Joseph Lowery, Veterans Memorial Park, the Moore-Rhett House and other sites.
With hot dogs and cold sodas awaiting, Bryce McCleary, 17, of Meridanville, took top honors with his speedy time of 15:36. He was fourth last year in the inaugural event.
Rose Betts, 17, of Somerville, grabbed top honors in the women’s division in 18:10. She was 11th overall.
Josh Whitehead, 45, of Madison, was second in 16:25 and Luke Allen, 17, of Madison, was third in 17:03. Whitehead won the Masters Men’s honors.
Alana Rose Scarano, 30, of Huntsville, was second in the women’s division in 18:28. Autumn Betts, 18, of Somerville, was third (19th) in 19:15. Megan Allan, 40, of Huntsville, took Women’s Masters honors with her 21:43.
Heath Varnette, 22, of Auburn, won the Independence Mile in 4:35. Nina Sillivant, 30, of Huntsville, won the women’s mile in 5:54. She was 10th overall.
See all of the Freedom 5K results here and the 1-mile results here.
The races were put on by Running Lane.
MAIN PHOTO: Runners are poised for the start of the second annual Freedom 5K on July 4 in downtown Huntsville. (Photo by Perla Núñez)
