See and download photos from the 2023 Mardis Gras 5K
HUNTSVILLE – It was 26 degrees outside Saturday morning in downtown Huntsville at 7:45 a.m. Not a runner in sight.
The door of Cajun Steamer, located at 310 Pelham Ave., opened and revelrous music and laughter poured out as two figures clad in running gear exited the restaurant. Three more followed. Slowly but surely, more joined the crowd, and a 5K race began to take shape.
At 8:30 the 2023 Mardi Gras 5K took off on Pelham Avenue and was led by 15-year-old Grattan O’Neill of Huntsville. Sixteen minutes and 45 seconds later, O’Neill crossed the finish line at a 5:24-mile pace to take top honors. O’Neill also won the Rudolph Run 5K in December, one of his three local titles last year.
See and download photos from the Mardis Gras 5K
Caden Clifton finished second with a time of 18:27, and William Shaver, 16, was right behind at 18:30.
Mandy Leonardi, 35, of Cullman, Ala., won the woman’s title with a time of 21:52. She finished 12th overall.
See all the results of the Mardi Gras 5K here.
See and download photos from the Mardis Gras 5K
The event was sponsored in part by Cajun Steamer and is part of Mardi Gras Huntsville, which benefits the Blount Hospitality House. The house is a home away from home for patients and/or their families in Huntsville seeking medical care. The organization offers convenient, affordable housing to Huntsville Hospital and other area treatment centers. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The race was facilitated by Huntsville Track Club. Winners received a Mardi Gras king cake provided by Edgar’s Bakery.
king cake at the Mardi Gras 5K. (Photo: Chad Gay/TVO)
