Josh Cornett and Kelsey Hodges battled to the finish Sunday at the inaugural Huntsville City FC Holiday 5K on Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium.
Cornett, of Madison, won by five seconds, finishing in 17:41 as Hodges, from Huntsville, was just steps behind. Tim Plomin, of Huntsville, was third in 18:06.
Huntsville City FC is part of MLS Next Pro and plays at Wicks Family Field at the stadium, which is almost 40 years old. Joe Davis Stadium previously has been home to the Huntsville Stars Double-A baseball team. It moved to Biloxi about 10 years ago. The stadium fell into disarray until being refurbished for Huntsville City FC.
The inaugural 5K saw a field of 431 finishers Sunday afternoon. The route took them from outside the stadium around it and then south down the old airport grounds. After crossing over to John Hunt Park, a short loop there took them back the same way. After one more loop around the stadium they finished inside.
Runners received a HCFC Holiday 5K scarf. The top male and female received a customized specialty jersey. The top three men/women and Masters men/women received prizes. The event was one of the final holiday runs of the month.
Craig Smith of Madison won Masters honors with his time of 19:25. He was sixth overall. Vivian Zou of Huntsville took Masters Female honors with her time of 22:02. She was 30th.
See all the results of the Huntsville City FC Holiday 5K here.
