On a beautiful Saturday morning, Redstone Arsenal was invaded by runners and bikers enjoying a few hours of fun in the 13th Racin’ the Station Duathlon.
The field of 124 began the 1.95-mile run with the “whhooosssshhhhh” of a small rocket launched near the starting line. Runners departed at 8:15 a.m. from the Goes Receiving Station at Marshall Space Flight Center. They wound around on the streets and walking trail back to the transition zone. From there, a 14.4-mile bike ride ensued, followed by a return to the transition zone and 1.95-mile run.
The goal? For many, to beat the International Space Station on one orbit around earth. It takes the ISS 91 minutes, 12 seconds to complete an orbit. The tiny rocket at the race zone is fired again after that time, signifying the orbit completion. It also signifies to anyone within earshot that, “Yo, didn’t make it this time!” Beating the ISS is fun but completing the duathlon is pretty doggone cool, too.
Nathaniel Pierce of Huntsville claimed top honors in a time of 1:02:16. He had runs of 12:06 and 11:32 and a bike time of 37:12. Transitions of 44 and 32 seconds strongly helped, too.
Matt Fletcher of Madison was second in 1:04:55, and Joel Freyenhagen of Gurley was third in 1:06:36. Fletcher finished third last year.
Lizz Lopez of Albertville won the women’s division in 1:20:59. She was 33rd overall. Jodi Turk of Madison was second (44th) in 1:22:51, and Ashley Wells of Madison was third (47th) in 1:23:20.
Photos from the event were shot by the We Run Race Photos team at the start-finish-transition and on the course. They’re available here for viewing and download.
For all the results of the Racin’ the Station duathlon, click here.
