Rocket City 10K: Don Hillis Dominates the M65-69 Field

• Don Hillis won the M65-69 age group in 53:01 (8:32/mi), finishing nearly 3:40 clear of second place.
• John Turner took 2nd in 56:40 (9:07/mi), holding a comfortable gap over the rest of the field.
• Mark Johnson claimed 3rd in 1:04:33, more than 7:50 behind Turner — widening the spread through the back half of the group.
• Richard Richardson rounded out the four-man field in 1:11:27, finishing 17:54 off the winning time.

Four men from across Alabama and Georgia toed the line in the M65-69 age group on a mild December morning in Huntsville — 59°F and overcast, about as good as it gets for December racing. Don Hillis of New Market, AL made the most of it. His 53:01 at 8:32 per mile wasn't just a win; it was a statement, putting nearly four minutes between himself and the rest of the group before the finish line came into view.

John Turner of Canton, GA was the only one who came close, crossing in 56:40 at a steady 9:07/mi to secure 2nd. The gap between Hillis and Turner — 3 minutes and 39 seconds — was the tightest margin in the group, and it remained the defining separation of the race. Behind Turner, the field spread out considerably. Mark Johnson, racing on home turf in Huntsville, finished 3rd in 1:04:33, more than seven and a half minutes back from Turner and running a 10:23/mi pace.

Richard Richardson of Owens Cross Roads closed out the group in 1:11:27, nearly 18 minutes behind Hillis's winning time. With only four finishers, every place mattered — and Hillis made his count, delivering the clearest margin of victory in the M65-69 field on the day.