Cotton Row Run delayed after tree falls across route

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Monday morning, runners broke out their shoes to compete in the 36th-annual Cotton Row Run in downtown Huntsville.

The start of the race was delayed after a tree fell across the route. The start of the 10K was bumped to just after 8 a.m. and the 5k started around 10 a.m.

Originally, the 10k race (6.2 miles) was to start at 7 a.m. with awards for the race starting at 8:30 a.m.. The 5k (3.1 miles) was slated to start at 9 a.m. and the 1-mile fun run starts at 10 a.m. Awards for the 5k will be held in the north VBC parking lots at 10:15. All of the races go straight through downtown Huntsville.

Despite the delay and the threat of rain, people were all smiles

"We started running together about six or seven years ago and we've been running ever since, said Zaria Murrell, who came from Louisville, KY to run participate in the race.

Others just keep coming back for more.

"I've been coming out here since 1981 when I ran at Oakwood University at the time," said Felicia Beaulieu. "Mr. Rody was the teacher and he said if you can run the Cotton Row Run in less than an hour, I'll give you an A in the class. So I've been coming out since that time."

No one forgot the the reason for the race, though.

"When I see the pictures of the people that have served and it touches my heart, so many people coming out from the community to support this," Beaulieu said.

The first place male and female runners will each receive $1,200. Top honors went to Julius Kogo in the men's category, and Tigist Jabore in the women's.

Brandon York was the top-performing local male runner, and Jutyna Mudy-Mader of Huntsville, the top-performing local female.

Top Local Male Finishers

1. Brandon York 30:59 (6)
2. Josh Whitehead 33:24 (10)
3. Danny Barnes 35:55 (17)
4. Beck Mitchell 36:18 (18)
5. Noah Flynn 36:27 (19)

Top Local Female Finishers

1. Justyna Mudy-Mader 37:14 (27)
2. Elizabeth Helland 41:11 (57)
3. Julia Clark 42:45 (77)
4. Megan Breitbach 44:20 (112)
5. Amber Richardson 44:27 (118)

for complete results.

This year, organizers joked they had been overdue for a delay.

The Cotton Row Run started in 1980 and has been going on every year rain or shine. The race got its name from the street where everyone would sell their cotton downtown on Jefferson Street in the early 19th century.

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