DECATUR — Blustery, chilly gusts gave runners the shivers as they picked up bibs Saturday morning before the MarMac River City Run at Point Mallard Park.
Who the heck ordered this wind? Brrrrrr! Adults and young’uns alike shivered in their shorty-shorts and tees waiting briefly to get checked in. Kickoff for the 5K started at 7:30 a.m., with the 10K at 8:15. More than 525 registered, and 491 officially finished one or both events. Some 5K runners chose to double up with the 10K; those who aren’t flatbelly speedsters had a quick turnaround between finish and start.
But by the time the 5K started, the winds and spitting drizzle had moved on through. An occasional breeze coming off the Tennessee River backwaters at the popular waterpark and Eastwood Neighborhood was welcome.
Kyle Wagner of Huntsville took top honors in the 10K, zipping to the win in 41:34 to win by 30 seconds over Julio Cerda of Decatur. Mandi Leonardi of Cullman dashed to the easy win for the women’s title, in 42:57. She was fifth overall, one of three women notching T-10 finishes.
The 10K had a bevy of PRs and interesting notes. Ryan Sotolano of Huntsville scampered to a 13th-place finish in 46:59. He then zipped east to Mooresville to pace his wife, Meghan, who won the Blue Heron Hundreds 100K. The 10K course started at Point Mallard by the ball fields. After about a mile it transitioned from the park to the Eastwood subdivision for about three more miles. Runners finally popped out by the Point Mallard entrance and golf course, completing the final two miles on the greenway path back to the ball fields.
RCR 5K
Jacob Crook of Hayeyville sped to the 5K win in 19:51. Silvia Vizcarra of Decatur won the women’s title, in 20:25, and was fifth overall. Runners started the out-back at the ballfields, scooted along the greenway by the golf course, and then looped back to the finish.
The River City Run 10K dates back 46 years, which is cool. A glance at old records in 2004, also held at Point Mallard Park and at the time in early April, also is cool. Some names from that year’s finishers might ring bells: Betty Dooley, Malcolm Gillis, Mac McCrady, Kelly Stinson, Ray Fanning, Dauna Coulter and others.
The event was sponsored by MarMac Real Estate of Decatur, among others, and benefitted the Committee on Church Cooperation. It was put on by River City Runners. The two races had a far larger turnout this year compared to last year.
See the results of the MarMac River City Run 10K here and 5K here.
