For weeks, race director Dylan Glass had been clearing trails, marking trails, clipping limbs and brush from trails, making sure the 15ish miles of the RunFest trails would be in great shape. Then, whiplash remnants of Hurricane Helene decided to pay north Alabama a visit a couple of days before the festivities began.
What would the 50K and 25K runners find on the trails above McMullen Cove? Downed limbs? Leaves and schmutz? Mud? Slick rocks? Wet leaves on slick rocks?
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. It wasn’t too bad but, yeah, it was a thing. Combined with the toughness of the event — arguably, perhaps, the toughest 50K around even as a newbie? — the morning dance in the woods would be more challenging than expected. And, no one cared. The 61 runners in both races took off Saturday morning in McMullen Cove set for climbs, mud and whatever.
They headed up up up up up before diving into the woods and winding around Potts Hollow. The jaunt included a waterall, grain bin and cool views. They skirted the southern side of Sublett Ridge, going to the point before diving back into the cove. And then, the 10 hearty 50K runners did it again. The 51 in the 25K field got to call it a morning, ending with gray skies but not the spitting rain they started with at 7 a.m.
C’mon, Who Won?
OK, oh impatient ones, we’ll get to the goodies.
When the 50K ended, several hours after the speedy 25K runners were nursing their tootsies, Andrew Bustos of Huntsville claimed the inaugural RunFest 50k award. He finished in 6 hours 18 minutes, a quite fine time and 12:11 pace. Bustos is no stranger to the winner’s spotlight, winning the tough Chupacabra Half at MSSP in August and Frozen Goat 30K in January. The Stillhouse 100 might have been a good mental prep, too.
Conner Poslajko of Gurley was second in 6:30:16, and Vincent Franchino of Madison third in 6:54:59.
Misty Johnson won the women’s title and was 7th overall, in 8:55:01.
See all of the results of the RunFest 50K here.
In the 25K field, 51 runners took off for all the fun that one 15+mile loop can provide. Considering the weather and concurrent Racin’ the Station Duathon at Redstone Arsenal, a few more likely would’ve jumped into the field. But 50-plus is a super start for a first event, and RunFest will continue to grow in the coming years.
Max Simpson of Huntsville smoked a hot 9:31 pace to win the 25K in 2:27:44, a super effort and win by about nine minutes. Michael Wall of Huntsville was second in 2:36 with a strong outing, and Ryan Donovan of Huntsville was third in 2:57.
Christy Scott of Owens Cross Roads led the women’s field, finishing sixth in 3:29:42. She was joined by Huntsville stalwarts Julia Donovan, who was ninth in 3:41, and Lindsey Shady, right behind in 10th at 3:42.
See all of the RunFest 25K results here.
Go for the Gold 5K, Sublett Challenge
Who’s the king of the hill?
For the Sublett Challenge, it required a sprint to the top of a pretty darn steep hill and bombdiggity run back to the finish. This unique event was held Friday evening at McMullen Cove before a RunFest dinner from Tortora’s. The path is paved from bottom to top, so runners were on good, perhaps a bit slickery, footing.
The elevation to Sublett Point is 1,201 feet. Does the path go directly to 1,201 feet? Not sure, but it’s a heck of a climb.
Michael Wall of Huntsville earned the crown, finishing in 20:41 and just six seconds ahead of Andrew Bustos. Lung-busting warmups for the 50K must be their thing, right? Steven LaMar of Chattanooga was third in 20:53, and the three were the only ones to crack 20 minutes.
Amanda Cuddy of Gurley was seventh and won the women’s title, in 28:14. Perla Nunez was second (10th) in 28:31 and Gabriela Martines of Huntsville third (11th) in 28:59.
In the Go for the Gold 5K, a bevy of youngsters dotted the Top 10, with 18-year-old Christopher Riggins of Athens securing gold. He had a winning time of 20:27, nipping Jermaine Wade of Hazel Green. Wade finished in 20:43.
Maria Copeland of Grant captured the women’s crown in 25:56. She was 10th overall.
Sponsors included Fleet Feet, Altra, McMullen Cove, Return2Sport PT & Performance, GU, Oofos, Marco’s Pizza, Superfeet and Tortora’s. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and childhood cancer awareness.
See all of the results for the Sublett Challenge and Go for the Gold 5K here.
PHOTOS: See the We Run Race Photos RunFest galleries here, and get downloads thanks to race sponsors.
MAIN PHOTO: Lindsey Shady of Huntsville toodles over a downed tree in the inaugural RunFest 25K on Sept. 28 in McMullen Cove near Huntsville.
