M25-29: McMackin edges a razor-tight podium at Rocket City 5K

• Patrick McMackin (Madison, AL) won M25-29 in 22:54 at 7:22/mi — the fastest time in the age group.
• The top three finished within 15 seconds of each other: McMackin (22:54), David Dixon (23:02), Brantley Bariola (23:09).
• Sebastien Pierre ran 4th in 23:43 — then a notable gap opened, with 5th-place Isaiah McDougal crossing in 25:27.
• John Lawton is listed with a time of 9:32:46 — almost certainly a timing anomaly — while the rest of the field from 12th onward ranged from 32:56 to 46:31.

Patrick McMackin made the short drive from Madison and left with the M25-29 title, crossing in 22:54 at a 7:22/mi clip on a mild December morning in Huntsville — 59°F and overcast, about as cooperative as race-day weather gets. David Dixon (Athens, AL) gave him everything he had, finishing just 8 seconds back in 23:02, and Brantley Bariola (Greenville, SC) was only 7 seconds further behind in 23:09. Three men, 15 seconds, and three distinct podium spots — that's a genuinely tight race at the front.

The gap between the podium and the rest of the M25-29 field was the other defining feature of the morning. Sebastien Pierre held on for 4th in 23:43, still within striking distance of the leaders, but Isaiah McDougal in 5th came home in 25:27 — a 1:44 jump from 4th to 5th that effectively split the field into two tiers. Justin Stirm rounded out the top six in 25:50, just 23 seconds behind McDougal.

The back half of the 17-man field spread out considerably, with finishers ranging from 28:06 (Joshua Smith, 7th) out to 46:31 (Adam Chalmers, 17th). One result stands apart: John Lawton is recorded at 9:32:46 — a figure that almost certainly reflects a timing issue rather than a finish time — and is noted here only for transparency.