Photo By Carter Sherline

George Kimanthi, 27, had a slight advantage when the pair turned the final corner. But as they raced to the finish, Peter Nitabo, 34, pulled even. The taller Nitabo stretched one long leg ahead of Kimanthi at the line for the victory. Officially, Nitabo clocked 1:07:53.2 to Kimanthi's 1:07:53.5.

Nitabo and Kimanthi were among Kenyans, now training in Hamilton, Ont., who vied in the 23rd-annual event. Kenyans also were first and second in the 10K. In that race, 24-year-olds David Ndungu and Samuel Karanja led together through two miles. Then Ndungu took command.

"I try to push myself as hard as I can," said Ndungu. His 29:17 fell shy of the course record (28:48) and his own PR (27:50), but was good for the win. Karanja took second in 29:33.

Brothers Kevin Hanson (34:19) and Keith Hanson (35:09) of Sterling Heights were among top finishers in the 10K. (The two coordinate Hansons Olympic Distance Project, a program that sponsors elite runners.)

"The sponsors invited Keith and I to be part of the festivities," said Kevin. "We hadn't run this one before, but they put us up and took good care of us.

Kim Saddic, 33, of West Chester, Pa., won the women's half-marathon, which starts in Goshen and ends at Elkhart, in 1:21:33. "Friends from Goshen encouraged me to run it," Saddic said.

Lucie Mays, 32, of Carmel, Ind., captured the women's 10K in 36:03. "The 10K is my favorite distance," said Mays, who won the half-marathon last year.

This year's Great Race -- presented by the Elkhart Truth newspaper, Gaska Tape Inc. and Bank One n included 31 events spread over Memorial Day weekend. In addition to road races, there were tennis, swimming, volleyball, cycling, in-line skating, canoeing/kayaking competitions and a dog walk. Athletes came from all over the U.S., Canada and, yes, Kenya. Former U.S. Olympian Gary Morgan, 43, of Clarkston, muscled his way to a 10K Power Walk victory in 48:47, 10 minutes faster than second place. Another Michiganian, Bill Reed, 50, of Scotts (58:42), placed third. Morgan's time was his best since winning the 1999 Great Race 10K in 46 minutes. He set his 41:38 PR in 1988.

For complete results, go to www.thegreatrace.net MR