MOORESVILLE — John Glidewell turned off of Alabama 20 onto North Street, cruising alone in the final few tenths of the Rocket Run 10-Miler. His final jaunt would be on Market and Lauderdale streets, quiet in the Saturday morning sun beaming onto the village founded in 1819.
He rounded the corner onto Lauderdale for his final approach, past the post office established in 1840, Alabama’s oldest still in service. The 48 boxes for mail are from the original nearby tavern. Glidewell didn’t have time for musings about history. He never broke pace to the finish until crossing to win in record time.
Glidewell, 69, of Athens, won the annual spring race in 1:02:32, smashing the Alabama age record by more than eight minutes. It previously was 1:10:15, set in 2011 by David Jeffrey of Semmes.
It was Glidewell’s third straight 10-mile age record. He had a 1:05:12 for age 67 in March 2024 at the 10-Miler, and 1:02:03 last November at the annual Turkey 10-Miler put on by the Port City Pacers of Mobile. Glidewell won that one by more than two minutes.
Glidewell pops up like a spring daisy, here and there, with wins or podium finishes. He doesn’t jump into every race, but when he does it’s going to be a full-bore effort. Saturday morning when he made the turn off Alabama 20, a few Huntsville Track Club onlookers noticed. It was a “Oh, yeah, that guy. No surprise.” moment.
Originally from Ohio, he’s in the Dayton Running Hall of Fame and was among the best nationally in the 1980s. That was after a stellar career in high school and Ohio State University. His 10-mile times in the ’80s included 48:01 and 47:20 in 1985 and 47:10 in 1981. Forty years later, he’s just 15-ish minutes off those times.
Solid Morning
Temps were comfortable at the 8 a.m. start but nudged upward fairly quickly by mid-morning for the field of 114 finishers.
Angel Mobley, 30, of Huntsville, won the women’s title with a strong 1:05:48. Marja Lopez Tello, 27, of Harvest, was second (9th) in 1:11:11, and Rachel Joffrion, 29, of Huntsville, was third (10th) in 1:11:29.
Lance Moore, 30, of Harvest, was second overall in 1:03:18. Hunter Hardman, 30, of Huntsville, was third in 1:05:30.
Steven Lamar, 45, of Chattanooga, won Men’s Masters honors in 1:09. Lindsey Lowery, 47, of Owens Cross Roads, took Women’s Masters honors in 1:22.
It was a morning for age and experience to shine, with just 16 finishers younger than 29 in the final standings. Owen Chalmers, 16, of Madison, was the lone teen and youngest overall, with a time of 1:38.
Jake Baker directed the race, put on by the Huntsville Track Club. It is held annually, usually the third weekend of March. Last year’s event was canceled due to thunderstorms. It is one of the few certified 10-mile races in the state.
See the overall results here.
Angel Mobley speeds to the finish line to claim the Rocket Run 10-Miler women’s title with a strong 1:05:48.
