Rob Segrest of Alabama and Julia Day of Kentucky won the men’s and women’s division titles Saturday morning in the inaugural Rocket City Marathon 10K.
Day, 20, doubled up with top trophies. Her 10K victory came in a time of 43:31 and was sixth overall. She also won the 5K women’s title in a time of 21:10.
The 5K began at 9 a.m., with the 10K starting at 7 a.m. Both began in front of the Von Braun Center. The 10K route was enjoyable, weaving through parts of old Huntsville before crossing California Avenue into Five Points. There, it wound through the historic area before crossing Andrew Jackson Way, and then making a long stretch on Holmes Avenue and before turning back downtown for the last two(ish) miles. Runners cruised through the Tinsel Trail decorations at Big Spring Park before finishing in the VBC.
Conditions were cool and misty at the start, and a bit humid. The threat of rain loomed with leaden skies but the 10K, 5K and Kids Run participants were spared. Rain fell Saturday evening and overnight. The forecast calls for rain Sunday during the marathon and two half-marathons (front and back halves) that begin early.
Segrest, 37, of Brownsboro, finished in 39:39 to lead the men. The top four men’s finishers were separated by about 22 seconds. David Bains, 40, of Brownsboro was second in 39:44, and Paul Escajadillo, 40, of Minnesota was third in 39:54. Jonathan Kline, 40, of Huntsville, was fourth in 40:01. Escajadillo finished second in the 5K event.
Day was right there with the top men and had an easy route to her women’s title. Vivian Zou, 52, of Florence, was second (18th) in 48:10. Teresa Berlin, 56, of Tennessee, was third (23rd) in 50:27.
The 10K had 256 runners from more than 20 states.
See all the results of the Rocket City Marathon 10K here.
All of the marathon weekend races and activites are a Huntsville Track Club event. Sponsors include Huntsville Sports Commission, The City of Huntsville, Fleet Feet, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville Botanical Garden, SportsMed, Mission DRiven Research, Progress Bank, Publix, Ray Pearman Lincoln, Therapy South, Costco, Straight to Ale, Hops ‘n Guac, Marco’s Pizza, Panera Bread, Nomadic Roots Nutrition, Axient, McCluskey Construction, Mobile Communications America and Avion.
TOP PHOTO: Rob Segrest wins the 2022 Rocket City Marathon 10K (Photo by Chad Gay/TVO)
RCM 10K Photo Gallery
To see and download photos of finishers in the Rocket City Marathon 10K, visit the gallery here.
Photos can be downloaded for a nominal cost.
