Rocket City Marathon 5K Women: Scavarda Dominates in Warm December Conditions

• Linda Scavarda won the women's race in 22:56 (7:23/mi) — nearly a full minute ahead of runner-up Kelly Ingham's 23:53.
• Jennifer Coleman, 61, finished 5th in 26:39 — and also raced the 10K, finishing 10th among women in that event.
• Evelyn Hale, just 9 years old, crossed 7th in 27:52 — one second ahead of Leslie Hale (38) in 8th at 27:53.
• Teagan Mehaffey, age 12, ran 27:06 (8:43/mi) to claim 6th in a women's field of 202.

With temperatures sitting at 70°F, 76% humidity, and a 17 mph wind rolling through Huntsville, this was no easy December morning — but Linda Scavarda made it look like it was. The Meridianville native posted a 22:56 (7:23/mi) to take the women's win by 57 seconds over Kelly Ingham of Whitefish, MT, who finished in 23:53 at 7:41/mi. That's a clear, commanding gap. Linda Bowen (Birmingham, AL) rounded out the podium in 25:33, with Shelly Ambrose (Bucyrus, KS) close behind in 4th at 26:00.

The story of the race's middle pack belongs to some remarkable youth. Twelve-year-old Teagan Mehaffey of Owens Cross Roads ran a confident 27:06 to take 6th, and then nine-year-old Evelyn Hale of Athens, GA came through in 7th at 27:52 — just one second ahead of Leslie Hale in 8th at 27:53. The timing chip separated them by a sliver; the shared last name suggests this may have been a family affair with a very close finish.

Jennifer Coleman, 61, of Rome, GA added one of the weekend's best multi-race storylines: she finished 5th here in 26:39 while also taking 10th among women in the 10K. Racing across two events at that level is a genuine feat, and her 8:35/mi pace in the 5K reflects a runner who clearly had more on her plate than just this finish line.

The top 20 alone showed the range of this women's field — from nine-year-olds to athletes in their 60s, from Huntsville locals to runners who traveled from Montana, Massachusetts, and Colorado. All 202 finishers crossed the line in conditions that made every second earned.