DETROIT (3/14/04) - On a cold, dank, drizzly morning, Denisa Costescu, 28, of Royal Oak, tore through downtown Detroit for the second-fastest women's time in the 22-year history of the Corktown Four-Mile Run.

Costescu's 22:40 fell well shy of Sue French's race-record 21:53. But because Corktown's course has been altered since French won the 1984 women's race, the Romanian native did set a course record. Only 10 men finished ahead of her on this day.

Two young women from Davison followed Costescu across the finish line. Lisa Senakiewich, 17, clocked 23:58, while Melanie Schultz, 20, placed third in 24:17. Both Senakiewich, a Davison High School senior, and Schultz, a Davison graduate now attending the University of Miami, bettered last year's women's race-winning time of 24:21.

Senakiewich, who ran with Schultz for much of race, said she never saw Costescu. "She was way ahead of us," the Davison teen explained.

Costescu's husband, Ovidiu Olteanu, 33, of Royal Oak, led the men for most of the first three miles. Bill Monnett, 23, of Sterling Heights, slipped by in the final mile to win in 20:27, just two seconds faster than Olteanu.

Mark Scoles, 27, of Monroe, lopped 31 seconds off his race-winning time of last year, but settled for third with a 20:44.

Close to 1,000 runners and walkers took part in festivities. "We were real pleased with the turnout considering the cold, damp weather," race director Ed Kozloff said.

For complete race results, go to www.motorcitystriders.com. MR