Christopher Kitson blew out of the blocks last year at the Oak Park Challenge in about 56 minutes, only to see his zippy finishing time bested by two minutes. Second isn’t bad, but it ain’t first.
Sunday morning, Kitson rocketed from the line and left the field behind. He hit the same number at the tape — 56:03 — to win the rainy trail run on Monte Sano by more than 11 minutes. It was his first Oak Park Challenge win. His sub-hour time is one of just five, and Kitson has two of those with last year’s 56:30. Dylan Glass and Ryan Donovan, both of Huntsville, and Gunnar Carter of Colorado have the other three.
Teri Porter, 39, of Huntsville, won the women’s title and was fifth overall with a women’s course record. She finished in 1:13:40.
The race was shifted to Sunday from its original date of Oct. 10, the day after the remnants of Hurricane Isaias blew through. Concerns about the trails and possible downed limbs or trees spurred the change.
Fifty-six runners completed the 7-plus mile jaunt that starts at the Oak Park ballfields. Runners begin there and hit the Land Trust trails to climb Monte Sano. After a short zip up the closed Bankhead Parkway to the state park overlook, they return downhill on the parkway before hitting the trails back to the finish line at Oak Park.
Olly Orton, 47, of Huntsville, was second in 1:07:15, and Erich Kring, 49, of Huntsville was third in 1:08:19.
Erin Gorius, 21, of Huntsville was second (8th) in 1:19:29, pacing three women rounding out the top 10. Joining her were Ashley Pearce, 39, of Huntsville (1:19:47) and Alex Ford, 36, of Madison (1:19:50).
See all of the results here and photos here.
Overall champ Christopher Kitson of Huntsville motors along the trail Sunday morning during the Oak Park Challenge. He finished in 56 minutes. (PHOTO: Gregg Gelmis/WeRunRacePhotos.com)
