Run the Cotton Row 10K (6.2 miles),  run/jog/walk the 5K Run (3.1 miles) or the 1-Mile Fun Run through the historic downtown area of Huntsville, Alabama. For the past 29 years Cotton Row Run has been the premiere Memorial Day running event in the South. The Cotton Row Run is conducted by the Huntsville Track Club and is the final awards event on the Running Journal Grand Prix XXXI Championship Circuit.

Cotton Row is for everybody. The 5K race was a few years ago to encourage more people to run a shorter course. Those wishing to walk this event will find a special starting area reserved for them to the rear of the runners. We have retained a fun run but shortened it to 1-mile and placed emphasis on participation by the younger (10 and under) crowd. Parents who have run either of the other races are welcome to accompany their children in this run if they desire.  All races start on Clinton Street north of the Von Braun Center.

PAST RESULTS:

2006 Cotton Row Results
2007 Cotton Row Results
2008 Cotton Row Results


RACE INFORMATION:

For info and to download entry form (Adobe PDF): Download Entry Form OR register online   through May 14 OR contact Suzanne Taylor, Race Director, for information at 256-650-7063 or e-mail: suzanne@fleetfeethuntsville.com.

For invited runner status also contact race director at address above.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

REGISTRATION & ENTRY FEES:

Early registration will be by MAIL by May 14 OR  through May 14. A separate form is required for each person entering and for each event (10K, 5K or 1-Mile). All fees are nonrefundable. Mail entry form and fee to:

CONFIRMATIONS:

Entries confirmed by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope. Entry lists will also be posted on this web site as race date nears

NOTICE:

Due to insurance purposes, unregistered runners, unauthorized vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, strollers, baby joggers and other wheeled devices, animals, and the wearing of headphones are STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the race.

10K & 5K RACE INFORMATION

COURSE:

The course will be marked in March. For the race, sentries will be stationed at all turns.

Course Maps and Elevation Profiles  2009 map. (pdf format) 

10K Course  2004 (same in 2009) certification map of 10K Course - AL04002JD.

5K Course   2004 (same in 2009) certification map of the 5K Course - AL04001JD.

Fun Run Course  This is not a certified 1-Mile course. Note: Slight change in course for 2009.

CERTIFICATION:

The courses will be certified by USATF. The 10K race could be subject to drug testing.

SPLIT TIMES:

Splits will be called at each mile and an overhead clock at the finish.

AID STATIONS:

Fluid stations will be located along the course, including the Start/Finish lines. Water sprays will be provided along the course as weather dictates.

TRAFFIC:

Excellent traffic control will be provided by the Huntsville Police Department.

MEDICAL:

Both medical support and radio communications will be provided to assure safety of the runners.
 

10K PRIZE MONEY: (Prize money in 10K race only)

$11,800 TOTAL PURSE

10K Open Division:

Top Seven (7) Male and Female Overall Finishers:
$1,200/$600/$500/$400/$300/$200/$100

10K Masters Division:

Top Five (5) Male and Female (Age 40 and over) Finishers:
$600/$400/$300/$200/$100

(Masters are also eligible for overall prize money.)

Course Record Incentives:

An additional $500 will be awarded in each of four divisions (male & female winners of Open & Masters divisions) for setting a COTTON ROW 10K course records.

AWARDS:

  Prize money winners in the 10K race will receive Cotton Row Run awards but are not eligible for Age Division Awards.

  The Overall male and female and the master male and female winners of the 5K race will receive a special award and are not eligible for Age Division Awards.

  The Top Three (3) Male and Female finishers in the following age groups will receive Cotton Row Run 10K or 5K awards.

  RUNNING JOURNAL GRAND PRIX XXXI:

 Final Running Journal Grand Prix XXXI Awards will be presented to the top five Overall Male and Female Finishers and the Top Three Finishers in each Grand Prix age category.

CORPORATE CUP TEAMS:

All team members must be full time employees of the company represented. A corporation may enter more than one team. To enter, a team's captain must submit the team roster accompanied by separate individual entry forms completed by each team member, along with individual fees and a $25 Corporate Cup entry fee per team by May 14, 2009. For an official Corporate Cup Team entry form, contact Lawrence Hillis at: 256-536-9556 OR Download Corporate Cup Entry Form here.

A team consists of three to five runners, all from a single company location. Scoring is based on the three fastest times per team. The top team or 30% of all teams with the lowest combined times will win awards.

CORPORATE CUP MALE DIVISION:

3 to 5 male runners per team

CORPORATE CUP FEMALE DIVISION:

3 to 5 female runners per team

CORPORATE CUP COED DIVISION:

Same rules as above but at least one team member must be female, and must be scored.

REFRESHMENTS:

PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA will provide free pizza to all runners.

PEPSI COLA  will provide free soft drinks to all runners.

PURITY DAIRIES  will provide free ice cream bars to all runners.

Cabot Dairies  will provide free cheese sample to all runners.

Bananas will be provided by Garden Cove Produce Center this year and water and Gator Aide will also be available. Municipal Ordinances prohibit serving of alcoholic beverages in Big Spring Park.

T-SHIRTS:

MERCEDES-BENZ COTTON ROW RUN 10K, 5K and 1-Mile T-shirts will be given to ALL RUNNERS WITH THEIR RACE PACKET.

LODGING:
 

The Holiday Inn Downtown Huntsville (Formerly the Hilton Huntsville) is again the official hotel for the COTTON ROW RUN and is offering special "Runner Group Rate" of $75. There is also a $1 City sur-charge and a tax of 11%. The Holiday Inn is located one block south of  the start/finish. For reservations call 256-533-1400 (there is no toll free number this year) and mention Cotton Row Run. These rates apply through April 26.  After April 26 you may still be able to get the group race, but there is no guarantee.

FINISH LINE SYSTEM:

  There will be one finish line on Clinton Street, west of the start line. You must be wearing your timing tag on your shoe as instructed in order to receive a finish time.
  If you have entered both the 10K and the 5K you will wear your 10K timing tag for the 10K race and your 5K timing tag for the 5K race. Two entry forms and fees are required to run both races. In order to provide accurate timing, please wear only one timing tag at a time. Wearing both devices in either race will impair timing accuracy.
  Runners MUST be wearing their official race number on the front and the timing tag on their shoe to be eligible for Prize Money or Awards. Details of the finish line system will be covered in the race instructions in the Race Packet.

FINISH TIMES & RESULTS:

  A computerized finish line system using the timing tag reader will provide a means for fast and accurate timing of all finishers.  There is no timing mat at the start line of either race, so all finish times will be "gun" times. A results book will be mailed to all entrants of the 10K and the 5K.

10K RECORDS (*) & 2008 WINNERS

1-MILE FUN RUN and MEMORIAL WALK INFO:

RACE PACKETS & T-SHIRTS: The 1 Mile Fun Run will be reserved for young runners age 10 and under. Parents may run with very young runners.
The 1 Mile Memorial Walk is for everyone who would like to support the Huntsville Police Fallen Officers' Memorial. The Memorial Walk will immediately follow the start of the Fun Run. Packets must be picked up between periods as stated earlier for the 5K Race. Packets WILL contain your official race number and your MERCEDES-BENZ COTTON ROW RUN T-shirt.

   Presentation for Memorial being made to Huntsville Police in 2008

FINISH LINE SYSTEM: Runners and walkers will finish at the same finish line as the 10K and 5K races. Please note your time on the overhead clock as you finish. No times will be recorded for runners or walkers in these events.

AWARDS: There are no individual awards for the fun run or walk. The T-shirt is the primary reward and the children will receive a ribbon upon completion of the 1 mile.

 here through May 14
 
GOOD LUCK!  We'll see you Memorial Day.

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