HAMPTON COVE — Erick Kigen and Malia Gill grabbed top honors in the inaugural Run the Cove half-marathon Saturday morning.
Kiegen, 36, of Huntsville, dashed to the line in 1:17:14, winning by about 45 seconds. Kigen is no stranger to top finishes. He took the Rocket City Marathon 10K win in December 2024 and recently finished second in the UAH 8K.
Gill, 27, of Madison, was ninth overall and won the women’s division in 1:33:50. Rachel Sneed was second (15th overall) in 1:38:35, and April McGee was third (15th) in 1:38:35.
Michael Niederhausen, 48, of Fayetteville, Ga., won the 10K in 37:32 by about four minutes. Elena Johnston, 19, of Hartselle, was second in 41:47 and won the women’s title.
About Run the Cove
The half-marathon and 10K started at the Big Cove Creek Greenway. It wound through Hays Nature Preserve and past the Flint River and RTJ Golf Trail River Course to the Flint River Greenway. From there, runners dashed up Old 431 to the Cove Park ballfields.
At that split, the half-marathon crew turned and went through the Hampton Cove neighborhoods along the lakes, back on the highway greenway to Little Cove Road, and around it to Hampton Cove Way. Everything was flat until the backside of Little Cove Road, where they hit the first of a few little hills — surprise! — before flattening out to the finish.
The 10K runners dashed on west past the golf course driving range, under the highway and to the finish line at Hampton Cove Middle School. The half-marathon course was certified. The 10K course was not certified, and was a smidge short, due to it being a late addition to the event.
Almost 300 runners registered for both races, and 260 finished. Temps were in the low 60s, with sunshine and an occasional breeze. Sponsors included Fleet Feet, Food City, Karhu, Return2Sport, Swift Recovery, Marco’s Pizza, Orange Theory, Jogology, Athletic Brewing, Team Rocket Tri Club, Edge Fitness Performance, Notorious D.O.G. Rescue, Redefine Wellness Institute and Tortora’s.
See all of the Run the Cove half-marathon results here and 10K results here. Click on the “All Race Types” tab at the top to toggle between the half, 10K, age groups and masters results.
Find the photos from We Run Race Photos for the start, on-course and finish here.
