It’s been a busy few weeks in the area, as our latest TVO Roundup will attest, with a handful of events and news about others coming soon.
HTC Wins at Woodstock 5K
The Huntsville Track Club captured the RRCA Club Team title at the Woodstock 5K in Anniston on Aug. 5.
The race was this year’s national championship 5K for the Road Runners Club of America. It was put on by the Anniston Runners Club, with multiple sponsors and local support. Huntsville Track Club president Eric Fritz said the club earned $300 for the team win. The money to be added to the club’s Harold and Louise Tinsley Scholarship Fund.
Huntsville Track Club members who participated included Fritz, Hunter Nails, Josh Whitehead, Vivian Zou, Kathy Harper, Roberta Hauck, Patrick Tom, Eugenie Candon and Ben Richman.
Vincent Kiprop and Ester Gitahi, both of Tuscaloosa, captured the men’s and women’s titles. See all the results of the Woodstock 5K here.
Run Dirty for Donuts
Registration closes Aug. 9 for the 2-mile Run Dirty for Donuts event Saturday at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
The 2-mile run follows the kids’ cross country Run Dirty event. Everything starts at 8:30 a.m. and the event is sponsored by Dunkin Donuts and put on by Fleet Feet.
Registration can be found here.
Glow in the Park 5K
The inaugural RunningLane Events Glow in the Park 5K, a nighttime event, will be Sept. 16 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
Proceeds will benefit the Redstone Army 10 Miler Team, which has sustained budget cuts in recent years. This event directly benefits Team Redstone’s entry fee and travel to the Army 10 Miler in Washington, D.C. This race runs on the nationally renown John Hunt XC Park course, which features superb footing. The course is 100 percent grass and manicured to provide fast times and great footing.
All runners will receive a t-shirt, light-up sunglasses and glow sticks which can be made into bracelets or necklaces.
Registration information can be found here.
Tweed Ride 2023
Start making plans now for the 2023 Tweed Ride, set for Nov. 4 at the Lowery House in Huntsville.
This will be the most dapper cycling event in Huntsville, featuring a delightful gathering of vintage bike enthusiasts and fashion-forward riders.
Riders will enjoy scenic neighborhoods of Huntsville and the spirt of a bygone era. Vintage bikes are welcome but not required. The ride will end at L’Etoile Patisserie for a post-ride celebration.
For more information about the 2023 Tweed Ride, visit the registration site here.
Swing Through 5K
Registration is open for the Swing Through 5K set for Aug. 19 at Calhoun Community College in Decatur.
The Swing Through 5k is a certified, flat course, perfect for runners looking to set a PR or for walkers who want to enjoy a beautiful morning. It is on a closed course on the Calhoun Community College. Post-race food and drinks will be provided.
Proceeds from this event benefit the CCC Student Physical Therapist Assistant Fund.
Registration information can be found here.
Freedom 5K Results
Blake Graham of Moulton and Sophia Gentile of Florence won the men’s and women’s titles in the Freedom 5K on July 8 in Decatur.
Graham, 17, finished in 17:10 and Gentile, 17, won in 20:02.
The event had 102 finishers from three states and was put on by River City Runners. See all of the results here.
Huntsville Approves Apollo Park
The Huntsville City Council approved plans to proceed with a $7.9 million construction contract with Lambert Contracting to complete the final phase of Apollo Park at MidCity District.
When finished in late 2024, the 20-acre park will feel similar to downtown’s Big Spring Park. It will feature two lagoons suitable for canoeing and kayaking, walking paths, swaths of open green space, trees and landscaping. A partnership with Arts Huntsville and the National Fitness Campaign will provide a Fitness Court at the park. The court will have original artwork from world-famous artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
“This park represents the City’s commitment to offer recreational options for our residents in every part of Huntsville,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “We look forward to its completion and delivering this beautiful recreation space to the community.”
Phase I of the project, completed in 2017, provided a pond at the northern end of the park near Topgolf. Phase II was developed the southern end at The Orion Amphitheater. The final phase will complete the central portion of the park, connecting the two previous phases with more public amenities.
“I have long advocated for more parks and recreational offerings for residents living in District 5 and am pleased to support this project,” said City Council President John Meredith. “Apollo Park will provide locals and visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful oasis just steps away from dynamic concerts, sports offerings, restaurants, retail and urban living.”
“Apollo Park is a fantastic addition to the City of Huntsville. We appreciate the enormous effort of the entire team that has made this park project a reality,” said Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett. “Upon completion, it will offer unique features and endless opportunities for the public to connect with the outdoors in the heart of MidCity.”
Lambert Contracting will begin work immediately. The project is expected to take about one year to complete.
Skate Park Almost Finished
As the new skate park at John Hunt Park nears completion, excitement is building and support for the project only continues to grow. The Huntsville City Council has authorized the acceptance of the approximately $2.7 million skate park, through funds allocated by the Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville.
Team Pain, one of the world’s most popular skate park design firms, has completed its portion of the 52,000-square-foot build. There are three bowl areas, two snake runs, a three-quarter capsule, street plaza and other unique features for skaters of all ages and skill levels.
Work is now centered on completing the surrounding infrastructure, including irrigation, landscaping and shading. Plans have been ongoing for several years for the park.
The skate park is a partnership involving the City of Huntsville, Community Foundation of Greater Huntsville and the Skatepark Project. It is located on three acres next to the Kids’ Space playground at John Hunt Park, which is currently undergoing a major renovation.
Information about Apollo Park and the JHP Skate Park provided by the City of Huntsville.
