FRANKENMUTH (7/3/04) - The Volkslaufe, part of this year's Michigan Runner Race Series, always has fireworks. Relatively-cool temperatures (low 70s instead of 80s) made for especially fast times and explosive finishes this time out.

Michigan State University senior-to-be Nate Egger, 21, blazed to a 1:06:23 in the marquee race, the fastest 20K here since Keith Stopen ran 1:05:02 in 1996.

"We do a lot of distance at MSU," said Egger. "I felt I could handle the 20K pretty well."

Egger didn't come close to Mike McGuire's 1:02:28 course record, but the runner who followed him made history. Mike Scannell, 42, of Grand Blanc - who set a 10K masters record here last year at 32:54 - broke the 20K standard for runners over 40 this year. Scannell's 1:06:55 eclipsed Peter Hallop's 1998 record of 1:08:30.

"A group of six guys ran together for much of the race," said Scannell, who was Michigan Runner of the Year in 2003. "Nate took off on me at about 17K."

Steve Czymbor, 20, of Hemlock, kicked in a 1:07:10 to finish third.

The top women also had their way with the often-grueling course. Kimberly Peterson, 35, of Farmington, won in 1:19:04, the best women's time since Katie Dosser's 1:15:45 in 1997.

Jamie Dansa, 27, of Dublin, placed second in 1:22:12. Third overall was masters champ Laurie Decker, 44, of Cadillac, with a 20K PR of 1:24:26. "I was hoping to do better than the 1:25:45 I ran here a couple years ago," said Decker, Michigan Runner of the Year in 2002. "I felt strong the last 5K, and, having run this race before, I was able to finish well."

The Volkslaufe, which began in 1976 as part of the America's bicentennial celebration, offered its usual smorgasbord of races to go with its famous fireworks and chicken dinners. More than 2,000 people took part in the 20K, 10K or 5K runs, 5K walk and/or 2K Gemutlichkeit Run.

Overall winners included Andrew Bauer, 20, of Ann Arbor (33:10) and Becky Duda, 34, of Bay City (39:05) in the 10K; Adam Roach, 20, of Port Huron (16:25) and Suzanne Larsen, 26, of Fenton (18:31) in the 5K; and Rod Craig, 46, of Bad Axe (25:37) and Lisa Sonntag, 40, of Orlando (26:52) in the 5K walk.

The top masters finishers were Kevin Hanson, 43, of Sterling Heights (35:26) and Judy Holden, 43, of Raleigh (45:16) in the 10K; and Mark Furkis, 48, of Ligonier (16:40) and Christine Sipka, 50, of Alma (23:09) in the 5K run.

Larsen, the women's 5K champ, had her whole family with her in Frankenmuth. Her husband, Eric Larsen, 33, took sixth in the 10K (34:56), while her parents, sister and Eric's parents also ran in races.

"We do this race every year," she said. "Afterward we have a picnic."

The Volkslaufe (German for "people's race") was presented by Frankenmuth Jaycees and Covenant Healthcare. For complete results, visit www.gaultracemanagement.com. For more information about festivities, go to www.volkslaufe.com.. MR