Cotton Row Run Holds First Ever Labor Day Race Event
The 2021 Bill Penny Toyota Cotton Row Run changed dates due to the pandemic precautions earlier this year and is now set for Labor Day in downtown Huntsville. The perennial race includes a 10K, 5K and 1-mile fun run.
FRONT PAGE FEATURED, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Sports, Z - News Main
 By  Bob Labbe Published 
7:56 pm Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Cotton Row Run Holds First Ever Labor Day Race Event

 HUNTSVILLE- Labor Day 2021 will be like no other among the world of running in the Rocket City. For the first time in the 42-year history of the Bill Penny Toyota Cotton Row Run, the 10K-5K race will not be held on Memorial Day after being moved due to the ongoing pandemic that has gripped the entire country. Instead, the race was moved to Monday, Sept. 6.

The 41st runners’ delight known as “A Southern Classic” will feature participants from from all parts of the country and some foreign countries. Not only is the event a full-packed day for those in the Tennessee Valley, but also a race for the more elite runners vying for prize money and points in the Grand Prix Circuit. The Cotton Row Run will offer a total of $20,000 in race record bonuses along with prizes in each of the male and female, open division, masters division and Alabama resident division.

The annual extravaganza for all ages will again feature the Race Expo on Sunday, Sept 5 at Bill Penney Toyota on University Drive. Race participants can also pick up their Race Packet at the Sunday event.

Current race records include: 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.

The race was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the last held Cotton Row Run was in 2019 when Mwan set the new standard for females with her winning time of 32:51. With the return of the event this year, the excited level has return for what is normally an outstanding sporting event for the entire Tennessee Valley.

Entrée numbers total 2,243 of which 402 are from Madison. Here is the breakdown for each of the three scheduled events for Cotton Row Run: 10K- 1,161 (197 from Madison); 5K- 766 (150); Both 10K and 5K- 188 (27); 1-mile Fun Run- 128 (28).

The 10K Cotton Row Run starts at 7:00 a.m. The 5K begins at 9:00 a.m. while the 1-Mile Fun Run hits the course at 10:00 a.m. Fans are encouraged to attend all along the route as the annual event is well known as one of the best to race due to the extraordinary encouragement from spectators.

Also on The Madison Record
Space Command relocation to Huntsville to bring area growth
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
HUNTSVILLE — Officials expect at least 1,400 jobs to be directly added to the north Alabama area with the U.S. Space Command Headquarters permanently ...
Newly elected Madison mayor to depart US Chess role
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Ranae Bartlett was named US Chess Executive Director in 2024
By JOHN HARTMANN US Chess Press 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - It is said that no one can serve two masters. And so US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett is trading Caïssa for the people of Madison,...
Triana Fire Department train for medical helicopter operation
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
TRIANA – Firefighters who work in Triana Fire Department recently accomplished a new milestone in their training to serve and protect their town. On-s...
Itty Bitty Bakers sweetens the community with classes
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By KADIE TAYLOR news@themadisonrecord.com 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Sweeten your day, Itty Bitty Bakers offers baking classes for locals, from 18 months to adults. Itty Bitty Bakers owner Kayla Johnson has be...
Madison Visionary Partners to host Gather Madison, volunteers needed
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
EVENTS
Gregg Parker 
September 10, 2025
MADISON – In its premiere in 2025, the Gather Madison event will unite residents of all backgrounds at one long table for a free, shared meal in the s...
Kids to Love to go “Over the Edge” for children in foster care Sept. 19-20
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Staff Reports 
September 10, 2025
MADISON - Bold, compassionate individuals will be going “Over the Edge” for Kids to Love during a thrilling two-day fundraiser where participants rapp...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *