NOVI (6/11/05) - Trail running is catching on as a phenomenon. One of its biggest boosters is Randy Step, owner of Running Fit stores.

Step has touted benefits of trail running for some time. Flirt with Dirt race spokeswoman Susan Hodgson said he and store staff have created The Serious Series, which includes three trail races.

"The others races are in Pinckney and Laingsburg," said Hodgson "We wanted to do one here, closer to our customers." Step used to run the trails, which became the course for the inaugural Flirt with Dirt.

More than 300 runners preregistered by Friday. "We're very pleased, since the Race for the Cure is the same day," Hodgson said. With race- day registrants, more than 350 runners finished the 5K and 10K Flirts.

One dollar from each entry went to the Friends of Novi Parks and to Novi Parks, hosts of the event.

The star of the Flirt with Dirt was the course, which treated newcomers to the essence of trail running and reminded veterans of its appeal. It included headwaters of the Rouge River and a former tree farm. Occasionally the trail reached car-width, but mostly it "stretched" just a couple feet across. In a few spots in seemed only inches wide, as if Step had cleared it with a machete.

There were roots, rocks and logs underfoot. Overhead, runners had to dodge limbs and branches. Amid the uneven footing there were many twists and turns. On a few switchbacks, I imagined myself as Barry Sanders on a highlight run.

The last mile had several short-but-intense uphills, capped by a steep 50-yard climb at the finish, which served as sort of a parting shot.

Temperatures hovered at 80 degrees at the 8 a.m. start. There was shade in the woods, but humidity was thick.

Trail-race veteran Walt Rickens said he enjoyed the course. "The turns were tight, but there were passing lanes for runners to get by each other," he said. "There were a few hills, but not too many, and only a few rocks.

"The course was well marked," added Rickens. (He would know, as he dragged me back onto it after I misturned near mile four.) "There were marshals at tricky turns.

"I'm looking forward to running the whole series," Rickens said.

Dan Ringlen (19:33) won the 5K by more than a minute over runnerup Dan Naughton (20:41). Naughton was the first masters runner by more than a minute, too.

Jennifer Gunderson won the much-closer women's 5K in 22:07. Next came Colleen Zather in 22:21. Pacing the masters women by more than two minutes was Tamara Savage (28:29) from the 50-54 age group.

Trevor Step (35:58.59) edged Eric Sambolec (35:58.8) in the 10K. Ioan Froman (40:54) was the first masters finisher.

The women's 10K was also tight. Rachel Bowman (45:27) outfinished Michelle Fields (45:32). Fields was the first masters female by more than a minute.

Masters runner George Heitsch, who ran the entire Serious Series, said, "Flirt with Dirt was a lot of fun. It made me feel kind of young again - until the end."

Results can be found at www.runningfit.com.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at ron- marinucci@comcast.net. MR