With summer approaching, the cornucopia of opportunities to hit the road or trails will diminish to a smidge before picking up in autumn.
The usual suspects are in play: summer heat and humidity, vacations, weekends with sportsball games or other activities. It doesn’t mean the run-bike-swim fun calendar is void of fun activities, though. The annual Cotton Row Run 10K, 5K and 1-Mile is a Memorial Day highlight (along with cold watermelon and Natty Lite). The always awesome Heel & Crank Duathlon put on by the Team Rocket Tri Club is June 6 at Adtran. Trail toodlers should jump into the 4-race RunningLane Wild Thangs series at Monte Sano for some good, sweaty fun.
Be sure to get your hydration goodies and other gear lined up before the intense heat and humidity arrive. Feeling like hot garbage or passing out isn’t enjoyable. Keep the fluids and electrolytes flowing. One other summer tip? Buy a boot/shoe dryer like this one from Peet. Use it to dry your sweaty running shoes and help avoid stinky cheesefeet, toe funk, fungus, athlete’s feet and other problems. I’ve used one for more than 15 years and they’re great.
Long Run This Weekend
Want to test your long-range abilities? Maybe see if you can run-jog-walk for six or 12 or more hours? You can this weekend at the inaugural In It For The Long Run festival at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
This event is free — yes, free, thanks to sponsors including Karhu — but registration is required. Online registration is available through Wednesday (May 13), and then in person from 12-6 on Friday at Fleet Feet in Jones Valley. That’s it. If you didn’t know or waited too long or decide now to get in, do it before Wednesday or on Friday.
The Long Run event includes nine categories for time and distance, awards, food, all the fun things. Register here or get more info about it.
Cotton Row!
Online registration for the 46th annual Cotton Row Runs 10K, 5K and 1-mile races ends Wednesday (May 13).
This gives race organizers time to get things situated with all of the bibs, bags and setup. In-person registration will be May 24 at the race bib pickup and expo at Bill Penney Toyota on University Drive.
Volunteers are needed for various Cotton Row needs, as well. Check out those openings and sign up here.
July 4 Races
A couple of new July 4 races have popped up, giving runners more options to find an event closer to home or with a different route.
Two popular local events include the Fleet Feet Firecracker 5K and 1-mile at 7 a.m. at Morningside Baptist Church in south Huntsville. It starts at the church, toodles out onto Aldridge Creek Greenway and returns to the church (where fantastic goodies await). The other is the RunningLane Freedom 5K and Independence Mile, also at 7 a.m. It typically begins near the Big Spring Park canal. But Huntsville Police and city officials have told race officials they can’t provide necessary security due to several other big events this year. A new site for the races is being determined and will be announced soon.
Other July 4 races:
— the new Red, White & Zoom Rocket Pop 5K in Athens, on the Swan Creek Greenway starting and ending at the Athens Sportsplex swimming pool;
— the renamed Firecracker Crunch 5K in Fayetteville, in its 51st year at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds;
— Eagle Half, 10K and 5K, Piedmont Park in Piedmont starting at 8 a.m., one of the few towns with longer runs;
—if you happen to be in Knoxville, the 42nd Fireball Classic 5K will be July 3 with a 9 p.m. start (nighttime!) and kids’ event beforehand.
Not on the holiday but definitely a popular and similar event is the Rainsville Freedom Run 10K and 5K on June 6 in Rainsville. Solid, fast field with cash payouts and other goodies. This one’s not to be missed if you’re up for a pre-holiday warmup.
Also not on the holiday, but on the weekend prior, is the super Community Free Clinic Spirit of America 5-Miler at Point Mallard Park in Decatur. It’s put on by the River City Runners, has a fun out-back route with good support (and post-run goodies). It’s flat and fast. Don’t overlook this solid event with some great history.
Friday Night Fights! (sort of)
If you’re looking for a change of pace, the Grand Prix Summer Series begins June 12 and offers some Friday evening racing on area greenways.
These are super events, competitive and typically fast thanks to the zippy greenways. Get a discount for the bundle, or pick-choose from the 5K, 4-mile, 8K and 10K events. They’ll be on the Aldridge Creek, Indian Creek and Big Cove greenways before wrapping with the 10K on Aldridge Creek on Aug. 1.
Check out this cool summer option here for more info and registration.
Triathlon Club Growing
Growth has been the buzz with the Team Rocket Tri Club this spring, with membership topping more than 280 active members.
That’s a 12.5 percent increase from a year ago. The club has pared its annual schedule of events to help focus on making the current ones better. More outreach has been instrumental in the growth, as well, and the youth and duathlon events are attractive. Weekly group runs, rides and swims are getting interest, too.
Anyone interested in the club, training or upcoming events can find out more here. The next event on the TRTC calendar is the annual Heel & Crank Duathlon on June 6.
