Priess, Singer Hunt Down Red October Crowns
WAYNE (10/7/06) - Katie Singer stayed up until 2 a.m. celebrating the Detroit Tigers' win over the Yankees in the baseball playoffs, then woke up bright and early for the 16th annual Red October Run, presented by Oakwood Annapolis Hospital.

That wouldn't seem like the ideal way to prepare for a 10K. But it worked for her. Singer, 26, of Detroit, finished first-place woman in 40:46, beating Elizabeth Putti, 35, of Shelby (41:45) and masters queen Robin Sarris-Hallop, 50, of Ann Arbor, who was third overall in 42:23. "I partied after the game," Singer said. "We were out till 2 a.m., then came home and made french toast. But I got a sound sleep and was ready to go this morning."

Thomas Preiss, 37, of Whitmore Lake, won the men's race as he's done many times, including the very first Red October Run when it was a five- mile.

"He looks exactly like he did when he won it 16 years ago," said Cindy Cook, longtime race director.

Candice Watson, no. 688, and Sherri Dean, no. 21, of the Stone Steppers compete in the Red October Run.
Preiss (34:31) topped two 43-year-old masters: Andy Muchow of West Bloomfield (35:02) and Doug Ogden of Chelsea (36:43).

"I can't believe that this is the 16th year for this race," Preiss said. "Cindy always does a great job putting it on. It's organized well, starts on time and has a flat course with lots of turns, but still very fast. It's good to come back each year."

Adam Wheeler, 29, of Westland, won the 5K in 16:21, followed by Parker Roth, 26, of Grosse Pointe (16:53) and Paul Mayer, 39, of Ann Arbor (17:05).

"I've been sick for a while and decided it was time to jump into something," Wheeler said. "It's a really nice race. Even though I live near here, I've never run here before."

Adam Wheeler won the 5K in 16:21.
Loree Spencer, 28, of Ann Arbor, led the women for only 200 yards of the 5K, but they were the last 200 yards, therefore all she needed. She won in 21:36, just ahead of Marian Epinosa, 19, of Ann Arbor (21:43). Next came Brandie Fitzsimmons, 26, of Belleville (22:31).

Spencer was in third place most of the race. "I followed about 10 paces behind the other two women," she said. "When I came around the last corner, I had a good kick and took the lead."

Wally Drogt, 58, of Jackson, tied Gary Hanafee, 51, of Detroit, for first in the 5K walk; each finished in 46:28. Ernestine Howse, 53, of Detroit (46:48) was the women's winner.

"We had perfect weather," said Cook, "and excellent registration, with 693 in the 5K and 10K. That's up from last year, when the weather was also beautiful." Red October also has a children's fun run.

For complete results, go to www.gaultracemanagement.com. MR