TRAVERSE CITY (7/10/04) - Old Mission Peninsula's "Mt. McKinley" doesn't rise 20,320 feet above sea level like Mt. McKinley in Alaska.

But runners climbing the McKinley Street hill at the National Cherry Festival's 15K road race found it formidable indeed.

"That big hill killed me," said Ryan Linden, 22, of Rochester Hills, who took part in the 15K for first time. "But once you reach the top, you have an awesome view. You can see both bays (the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay)."

A record 2,064 runners and walkers enjoyed the pictureque 15K and 5K courses at this year's festival. "We had perfect weather," said race director Bob Reed. "It was 58 degrees at the start, with no wind. There was not a cloud in the sky."

In the 15K (part of this year's Michigan Runner Race Series), James Lander, 25, of Rochester, led from the gun. He won in 47:40, with his Hansons-Brooks teammate, Linden, second in 50:35.

John Koster, 22, of Grand Rapids, finished third in 50:45. Brian Olsen, 43, of Jackson, claimed the masters crown (54:11).

Lander sizzled early with a 4:56 first mile. "I could see him most of the way," Linden said. "But I couldn't catch him."

Linden enjoyed finishing on the festival parade route. "They had huge, loud crowds," he said. "It made me want to close with a real fast kick."

Sarah Plaxton knows that parade-route finish well, having run the 15K many times. Plaxton, 35, also knows the peninsula pretty well, having won the Bayshore Marathon, run here each May, six times.

But the Highland resident, whose parents live in Traverse City, entered this year's 15K having never won it. Last year she finished third with a PR of 57:23. This year, she did better.

Plaxton's 57:18 was more than three minutes ahead of Denise Knickman, 36, of Baltimore, second in 1:00:24. Suzanne Larsen, 26, of Fenton (1:00:37) came in third.

Laurie Decker, 44, of Cadillac, Michigan Runner of the Year in 2002, won the master's title in 1:01:56.

In the 5K, Tim Avery, 22, of Rochester, N.Y., won the men's crown in 15:20, followed by Ben Hammer, 19, of Williamsburg (15:32) and Kyle Carrick, 22, of Grand Rapids (15:35).

A trio of sweet 16-year-olds finished 1-2-3 in the women's 5K. Annie Otwell (18:12) and Jessie Hemming (18:19), both of Traverse City, beat Kristina Olsen of Jackson (18:45) across the line.

Races were sponsored by Traverse magazine and Traverse City Light & Power. For complete results, visit www.classicrace.com. MR