Lion Runners Take Top Two Spots in Half-Marathon

KINGSPORT, TENN.-- Mars Hill cross country runners Alex Griggs and Brady Adcock took the top two spots in the XTERRA Rock Top Half-Marathon presented by Fleet Feet Sports, held Saturday at Bays Mountain Park.

Griggs, a freshman took home first place while Adcock, a junior, placed second. Griggs' winning time in the event was 1:31:12, while Adcock finished just behind with a time of 1:31:19. Sophomore Derek Gibson placed fifth with a time of 1:40:40. Over 200 runners participated in the race.

Both Griggs and Adcock pushed through bruises and scrapes sustained during the run to finish at the top of the field.

Saturday's race marked the start of the 2013 XTERRA Tennessee trail run series. Fleet Feet Sports will sponsor another XTERR Half-Marathon at Bays Mountain Park in April.

Mars Hill's men's cross country team won its 16th-straight South Atlantic Conference Championship this season and placed fourth in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. Griggs earned First Team All-SAC and All-Southeast Region honors and competed in the NCAA National Championship race in Joplin, Mo.