REDSTONE ARSENAL — At 7:30 a.m. or so, the rain began falling harder, a bit sideways, riding blustery northwest gusts under leaden skies. Runners and riders were arriving at Marshall Space Flight Center for a morning toodle in the 13th Racin’ the Station duathlon. Bikes being racked, gear in bags and buckets placed nearby, greetings made akin to “Ugh, hope this stops” and “Beautiful morning, eh?”
By the 8:15 start of the first run, sometime during the introduction and final safety briefing inside, the rain stopped. The wind did, too, albeit for a couple of four-letter word blasts during the bike portion. Gusts! Runners took off at the “whoooosshhhh!” of the little rocket to start the first run, happy for no rain or mess.
After the 1.95-mile run, 12-ish mile bike route and 1.95-mile run finale, Nathaniel Pierce claimed the win in 57:50 over Matthew Fletcher. He was right behind in 58:18. It was a repeat from 2023, those two battling to the finish but closer this year, with Pierce crossing 28 seconds ahead. He won by almost three minutes a year ago.
Malia Gill of Madison finished third, nabbing that podium spot and the women’s crown. She finished in 58:53, and was along with Pierce and Fletcher the only three in the field to crack an hour. She put together a 12:20 run, 32:50 bike and 12:38 run along with transitions of 41 and 25 seconds.
Pierce strung together an 11:32 run, 33:35 bike and 11:30 run, with transitions of 37 and 35 seconds. That’s about as consistent as it gets. Fletcher’s times were 11:54, 32:44 and 12:09, with transitions of 55 and 36 seconds.
A Fun Event
The bike route was clipped by almost two miles due to a road closure on the arsenal. Athletes usually have 91 minutes 12 seconds as the goal, the time it takes for the International Space Station to make one orbit of Earth. This year, extra time was added since the ISS is in a higher altitude and, thus, it takes longer to spin around our big blue marble.
No one seemed to mind the added time or road closure. The field of 106 hearty athletes, a bit off from last year’s field number, came from four states including Louisiana. Several were first-time finishers, which is quite cool. Smiles were abundant.
Other top finishers:
Female Masters: Cynthia Mitchell, Athens, 16th overall
Male Masters: Joel Freyenhagen, Gurley, 7th
Female Legends: Karen Monosky, Mount Olive, Ala., 69th
Male Legends: Jim Daniel, Athens, 23rd
The event is put on each year by the Team Rocket Tri Club. Proceeds benefit the Marshall Foundation scholarship program. Sponsors include Fleet Feet, Sunset Bicycles, Marshall Exchange and Straight to Ale.
PHOTOS — Click here for photos from We Run Race Photos, with free downloads thanks to the race director.
RESULTS — Click here for the Racin’ the Station duathlon results
MAIN PHOTO, TOP: Nancy Merner of Auburn wheels past the ISS Payload Operations Center on Saturday in the Racin’ the Station duathlon on Redstone Arsenal. Merner was 15th overall and third in the women’s division.
Roger Smalligan of Huntsville speeds to the finish line. He was 29th and third in the Legends division.
