Costescu, Robison Lead Pack at PAC
HASLETT (9/17/06) - "She has such a desire to run fast," said Ovidiu Olteanu of his wife, Denisa Costescu. Costescu, 30, of Novi, demonstrated that desire at the Playmakers Autumn Classic, as she sprinted away with the women's 8K in 28:39. The native Romanian hopes to compete for her national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the meantime, she is winning races in Michigan.

Olteanu and Costescu had their first child, a girl, in April. Since then Costescu had piled up half a dozen victories (as of Sept. 17) this year. "It is very good to be in shape again," said Costescu. "I competed here two years ago (and won). It is a very beautiful course."

Costescu, who took home $500 for her victory, faced off against formidable women here. Marybeth Reader, 37, of West Bloomfield, who has won races right and left this year, received $250 for second place (30:20). Laurie Decker, 46, of Cadillac, was third overall (30:58) and received $150 as top master.

Next came Regina Visocchi, 21, of Okemos, who won $125. Grand masters champ Jackie Blair, 51, of Detroit (34:04) took home $100.

The Classic, part of this year's Michigan Runner Race Series, drew more than 600 participants. The course starts at Lake Lansing Park- North, zooms downhill for one-third of a mile, circles the lake on gently- rolling terrain, then returns to the park and climbs a third of a mile to the finish.

"You don't really feel that last uphill," said men's champ Grant Robison.

"You're already hurting so much that a little more hurt seems negligible."

Despite it, Robison, 27, of East Lansing, collected $500 for his 24:02 finish. Nick Stanko, 25, of Haslett, earned $250 for second (24:23) and Nathan Usher, 23, of Lansing, $125 for third (24:39).

Finishing sixth overall, Patrick Lancioni, 40, of Ann Arbor, won $150 as masters champion (26:25). Grand masters winner Timoth Emmett, 50, of Royal Oak (29:44) received $100 and was 22nd overall.

Robison, Stanko and Usher ran together until the three-mile mark, when Robison took command. "I gradually accelerated my pace to put the crunch on," he explained.

The winner, who ran 3:35 for 1500 meters and 3:58 for the mile while at Stanford University, generally feels more comfortable in shorter races.

"I'm happy doing 5Ks," he said. "I'm not quite as happy doing 8Ks, but they provide a good test. They let me know where I'm at."

"I just moved to Haslett, not far from Grant," said Stanko. "Hopefully, we can train some together. I'm more of a marathoner and he's more a miler, but I think my distance will help him and his speed will help me."

Proceeds from the Classic go to Area 8 Special Olympics. Complete results can be found at www.playmakers.com. MR