Cotton Row Run

Welcome to the 2026 Cotton Row Run 10K, 5K, and 1 Mile!

Run the Cotton Row!  For 46 years the 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

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

Cotton Row Run will offer a total of $20,000 in Race Record Bonuses for this year's race.

Prize Money for each of the four 10K divisions are as follows:

• Male and Female Open – 1st $1,200, 2nd $600, 3rd $500, 4th $400, 5th $300, 6th $200, 7th $100
• Male and Female Masters – 1st $600, 2nd $400, 3rd $300, 4th $200, 5th $100
• Male and Female Alabama Resident - 1st $500

Race Record Incentives:

In addition to the $9,800 in prize money, the 2026 Cotton Row Run will also offer $5,000 for a race record in each of 4 divisions of the 10K race:
Open Male, Open Female, Master Male, Master Female

Current Race Record Information:

• Open Male: Linus Kiplagat, 2018, 28:39
• Open Female: Catherine Syokau Mwan, 2019, 32.51
• Master Male: Andrew Masai, 2000, 29:38
• Master Female: Ramilia Burangulova, 2003, 33:34

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 & Female winners and the Master Male & Female winners 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.
00-10, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-up

*** All top awards and prize money, including race record bonuses, will be based on Gun Time. All age group awards will be based on Chip/Tag Time.

Elite Athletes

• For qualified runners, we will waive the registration fee. 
• We do not offer travel or lodging assistance.  
• Prize winners may be subjected to drug testing.
• To be considered for Elite status you must fill out the Elite Athlete Application Form

Questions?

Drop us a note at:

cottonrowrun@huntsvilletrackclub.org

Certification:

The courses are certified by USATF under the following course numbers:

• 10K Course - AL19031JE
• 5K Course - AL19032JE
• 1 Mile - AL19050JE

10K race may be subject to drug testing.

Aid Stations:

Water stations will be located along the course at approximately Miles 2, 3, 4, 5 and 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.

Turn by Turn directions:

10K - route (starts at 7:00am):

• Start on Church St SW heading Southeast
• Left turn on Lowe Ave Southeast to head East
• Continue straight on to Fraser Ave SE to head East
• Right turn on Sierra Blvd SE to head Southeast
• Left turn on Carmelian St SE to head North
• Right turn on McClung Ave SE to head East
• Left turn on Owens Dr SE to head North
• Left turn on Mountainwood Dr SE to head Northwest
• Right turn on Toll Gate Rd SE to head Northeast
• Left turn on Bankhead Pkwy NE to head West
• Continue straight on to Pratt Ave NE to head West
• Left turn on Grayson St NE to head South
• Right turn on Clinton Ave E to head West
• Right turn on White St NE to head Northwest
• Left turn on Holmes Ave NE to head Southwest
• Left turn on Jefferson St N to head Southeast
• Continue straight on West Side Square and on to Madison St SE heading Southeast
• Right turn on Williams Ave SW to head Southwest
• Right turn on Church St SW to head Northwest
• Finish on Church St

5-K route (starts at 9:00am):

• Start on Church St SW heading Southeast
• Right on Lowe Ave SW to head West
• Left on Joe Lowery Blvd in South bound lanes
• Right on St Clair Ave to head West
• Right on Monroe St to heard North
• Veer Left at Davis Circle (against traffic) onto Heart of Huntsville Dr SW to head West
• Continue straight onto Woodson St NW to head Northwest
• Right turn on Holmes Ave NW to head East
• Left turn on Monroe St NW to head North
• Right turn on Greene St NE to head Southeast
• Right turn on Holmes Ave E to head Southwest
• Left turn on Jefferson St N to head Southeast
• Continue straight on West Side Square and on to Madison St SE heading Southeast
• Right turn on Williams Ave SW to head Southwest
• Right turn on Church St SW to head Northwest
• Finish on Church St

1-Mile route (starts at 10:00am):

• Start on Church St SW heading Southeast
• Left turn on Lowe Ave Southeast to head East
• Left turn on Madison Street to head Northwest
• Left turn on Williams Ave SE to head Southwest
• Right turn on Church St SW to head Northwest
• Finish on Church St

The 10K course runs through the beautiful neighborhoods of downtown Huntsville including Blossomwood and 5 Points and will provide a nice challenge as you enjoy the infamous climb up Mountainwood hill.  The 5K course stays closer to downtown and is flat and fast.  The 10K course showcases Huntsville's beautiful, historic Twickenham and Old Town Districts.

All courses are certified by the USATF and are record eligible.

Packet Pick Up and Late Registration Information

When    Sunday, May 24, 2026

Hours    1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Where   Bill Penney Toyota
             4808 University Dr NW
             Huntsville, AL 35816

RACE DAY PACKET PICK UP:

When     Monday, May 25, 2026

Where    Big Springs Park (race start)

Hours    6:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

Note: It is highly discouraged to pick up your Packet on Race Day - please make all reasonable attempts to pick up your packet on Sunday at Bill Penney Toyota.

Sunday, May 24, 2026

• RACE EXPO, PACKET PICK UP & LATE REGISTRATION
  1:00 PM TO 5:00 PM    Bill Penney Toyota
  4808 University Drive NW  Huntsville, AL

Monday. May 25, 2026 - Race Day!   NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION

• 6:00-6:45        - 10K Late Packet Pickup
• 6:40 am          - 10K Opening Ceremonies
• 7:00 am          - 10K Race Start
• 7:00-8:45 am  - 5K and Fun Run Packet Pick Up
• 8:40 am          - 5K Opening Ceremonies
• 8:58 am         - Ansley's Angels Start
• 9:00 am          - 5K Race Start
• 9:10 am          - Awards for 10K Race
• 9:50 am          - 1 Mile Fun Run Opening Ceremonies
• 10:00 am        - 1 Mile Fun Run Start
• 10:15 am        - Awards for 5K Race

Come watch the Runners!

Where to stay?

Huntsville is one of the country's fastest growing cities with always something going on.  There are a large number of hotels in the area to choose from.  The race is centered in the heart of Downtown Huntsville if you want to be close to the action.   Please visit the Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau at Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau for places to stay and things to do while in Huntsville.

How to get here?

The Huntsville International Airport is regularly ranked as a top finisher in USA Today's Best Small Airport, Readers Choice Awards.   Be sure to check out all your Transportation Options for coming to and moving throughout Huntsville.

Interested in volunteering?  Click on the Volunteer button below!

All volunteers will be entered into a drawing for five cash prizes and will get a shirt.

January 1 - February 28, 2026 

• 5k or 10k $22.20

• 5k & 10k (one shirt) $32.80

• 1 Mile Fun $12.72

March 1 -  April 30, 2026

• 5k or 10k $27.20

• 5k & 10k (one shirt) $43.40

• 1 Mile Fun $16.90

May 1 - May 14, 2026

• 5k or 10k $32.80

• 5k & 10k (one shirt) $54.00

• 1 Mile Fun Run $16.90

May 24 - Late Registration

• 5k or 10k $48.70

• 5k &10k (one shirt) $80.50

• 1 Mile Fun Run $16.90

*HTC's insurance prohibits strollers, dogs and headphones on the course.