Betsy Frens (bib number 573) and Landon Peacock (2nd from right) won the 15th Michigan Flavorbest Apple Run.
SPARTA (7/16/05) - Peacocks like apples?

Landon Peacock, 17, did, strutting through steam in Sparta to capture the 15th annual Michigan Flavorbest Apple Run.

Peacock, a Cedar Springs High School senior-to-be, sped through flat, winding streets on a humid morning to finish the 5K in 15:14.

Former Calvin College star Kris Koster, 23, made Peacock, a prep all- stater, extend his feathers, crossing not far behind in 15:25. Kyle Carrick, 23, of Grand Rapids, finished third (15:56).

The TV show "Friends" may be history, but Frens isn't.

Betsy Frens - who as Betsy Haverkamp set the women's ages 20-24 course record (17:17) in 1998, and as Betsy Haverkamp-Frens set the overall course record (17:00) in 2000 - came back, minus maiden name and plus daughter, to win in a new course-record of 16:52.

Alex and Emily Gabbert, ages 2 and 4, show off their Apple Fun Run medals.
Frens, 30, a former Calvin College All-American, is adjusting well to her new duties as a Kalamazoo Christian High School coach and teacher, and mother of Madelyn Frens, age 1. Dad Kent Frens was also a Calvin All-American; maybe their baby was born to run.

Making it two-for-two - two siblings, two second places - was Jessica Koster, 17. The Grand Rapids Christian High School senior-to-be edged former prep rival and defending champ Laura Malnor, 18, of East Grand Rapids, for women's runner-up honors, 18:44 to 18:48.

Masters winners were Curt Cunningham, 45, of Grand Rapids (16:50) and Gayle Kuipers, 40, of Holland (19:45).

The top finishers in each age group won apple saplings, non-alcoholic apple champagne, and baskets crammed with more goodies.

Family-friendly fun included free day-care, post-race kids races, and an apple pie-eating contest. Treats enjoyed by 707 entries included Adam and Eve's favorite fruit, apple cookies and cider, bagels, yogurt and literature telling you how to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

Sparta's Apple Run, rated by Michigan Runner as one of the 50 best road races in the state, continues to draw birds of every feather. For the fast and slow, old and young, it's a favorite celebration.

And for prep cross-country fans looking forward to fall, the Eagle may not have landed, but the Peacock is Landon.

Watch and see.

Complete race results are available online at michiganrunner.net. MR