DOWAGIAC (7/31/04) - Last year, Notre Dame's Lauren King won the Steve's Run 10K, while her teammate, Molly Huddle, captured the 5K. This year, the Fighting Irish men made their presence felt at the 30th annual running of Michigan's original road and trail race.

Faster than you can count 1-2-3, Tim Moore, Sean O'Donnell and Kaleb Van Ort crossed the finish line, all timed at 32:01. The trio of 20-year- olds ran the last three miles together before sprinting downhill to the finish. Moore, originally from Novi, finished a stride ahead of his teammates and was credited with victory.

"This was the best course I've ever seen for road race," said the 2002 Michigan High School Runner of the Year. "I enjoyed the mix of roads, dirt trails and challenging hills."

Another 20-year-old Notre Dame runner, A.J. Andrassy, finished fourth in 33:15. Charlie Fox, 45, of Plymouth, Ind., was masters winner in 34:42.

Fighting Irish harriers have long driven up from South Bend to win these races. But this year's group was especially impressive on the hilly, road- and-trail course. The 10K and 5K races, plus 5K walk, drew close to 1,300 entries, the most since the event changed its name to Steve's Run to honor Steven Briegel, who died of cancer in 1990. Steve's Run was also part of this year's Michigan Runner Race Series and new Michigan Trail Series.

Justina Faulkner, 29, of Bourbon, Ind., won the women's 10K in 37:39. She had won here two times before, but missed last year's race after having a baby.

"I'm in close to the best shape of my life now," Faulkner said.

Notre Dame's Stephanie Madia, 20, finished second in 39:20. Mary Ballinger, 16, of Chesterton, Ind., took third in 39:55.

Suzanne Larsen, 26, of Fenton, was the first Michigan woman across the line, placing sixth overall in 40:57. She and her husband Eric Larsen, 33, (who finished in 35:58) both took part in Steve's Run for the first time.

"The Michigan Runner Series has encouraged Eric and I to race in parts of the state where we haven't been before," said Larsen, currently women's open points leader. "We really enjoyed this race. I think we will do it again next year."

Laurie Decker, 2002 Michigan Runner of the Year, finished first among women's masters. Decker, 44, of Cadillac, clocked 41:24.

Doug Goodhue, 62, of Milford (39:49) topped James Carlton, 61, of White Lake (40:09) to maintain his lead in the men's senior runner standings. Last year, Carlton won that title.

"Running through the woods and hurdling hay bales really makes you feel young," said Goodhue.

In the 5K, Paul Barrons, 24, an Aquinas College graduate, improved on his winning time (15:43) from last year, claiming first in 15:31. Andrea Hutchins, 27, of St. Joseph, a University of Detroit-Mercy graduate, led the women in 18:32.

Steve's Run is coordinated by Southwestern Michigan College and directed by Ron Gunn. Also, see Steve's Run on Michigan Runner TV: http://michiganrunner.tv/2004stevesrun/. MR