KALAMAZOO (4/27) -- If April showers bring May flowers, what does April cold bring?

Runners and race-walkers faced a big chill at the Borgess Run For The Health Of It. Many dressed in sweatshirts and tights, but a few -- including Pablo Gomez, 30, of Chicago -- braved the blustery morning in shorts and singlets.

"It was windy and there were a lot of hills," said Gomez, who won the 5K race-walk, part of the 2002 Michigan Runner Race Series.

Gomez, who returned to race-walking last year after a long layoff, took the lead near the course two-mile mark. He finished in 23:39, topping Rod Craig of Bad Axe (24:10) and Gary Morgan of Clarkston (24:21). Debbie Topham, 49, of Marysville, was tops in the women's field. Topham (29:03) literally walked away from from her training partner, runnerup Lynnette Heinlein, 45, of Vassar (30:23).

"I felt a little tired out there," said Topham. "The time is about a minute slower than my best finish."

In the 5K run, Nathan Dorn, 27, of Delton, took the lead in the first half- mile and continued to victory in 15:33. Dan Higgason, of Portage, claimed second in 16:07.

Dorn, whose wife recently gave birth at Borgess Hospital, said he didn't mind the frigid weather. "I'd rather have the cold than intense heat," he said.

Theresa Padilla seems to have little trouble winning the women's 5K, hot or cold. She captured her third-straight title (and fourth in five years) in 19:04.

"There's always tough competition here," said Padilla. "I'm happy to win again."

In the half-marathon, Todd Meredith, 28, of Holland, took the men's race in 1:13:48. Lisa Dommert, 28, of Portage, was women's champion in 1:26:01.

For complete race results, go to www.classicrace.com.