Adrian Dent, no. 315, won the Big Bird 10K in 41:43.
ROSEVILLE (11/13/05) - I pulled onto the expressway and hit the CD player. Out blasted Martha and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run." Hey, they're wrong! Didn't they know this was the second Sunday in November? There was somewhere to run: the Big Bird!

The next song on my CD was the Temptations' "Get Ready." I was!

The 27th annual Big Bird attracted 751 runners, solidifying its status as one of southeast Michigan's most-popular races. "We had 518 pre- registered, our best figure in a while," director Tony Lipinski said. "The weather forecast about rain and high wind Sunday may have kept even more late registrants away."

Rain was nowhere to be seen, but the wind showed up right on time - and big time. The National Weather Service reported gusts reaching 45 mph. No runners blew off the pedestrian overpass that crosses I-696 twice, but it was a bit breezy there.

The morning was also dry, mostly sunny and unseasonably warm, close to 60 degrees. Considering past Big Birds have been run in snow, rain, sleet and even-stronger winds, veterans dismissed this year's gales with jokes: "It's the Big Bird. What did you expect?"

The certified courses were familiar to returnees: flat except for the overpasses in the 10K, with more than a few twists and turns and plenty of marshals. All three races - the one-mile (118 participants), 4K (182) and 10K - were chip-timed. Start times were staggered so that one- milers could also run either the 4K or 10K; several did. All runners were serenaded by the Roseville High School band and enjoyed city facilities.

The wind slowed many runners by one to three minutes in the 10K. Competition was heated nonetheless.

The open one-mile winner was Ryan Reiterman, whose 4:44 was 20 seconds faster than runner-up Andrew Baurhenn. Masters runner Todd Kelly, 44, was third in 5:12.

The ages-14-and-under mile race was, well, a race. Tiffany Marchewka, 12, finished first (and the first female overall) in 6:30. Michael Sorrentino, 10, and Dillon Marble, 11, were just seconds slower in 6:34 and 6:35, respectively. The youngsters were flying, especially with the long finishing straightaway against the wind.

Nick Krus improved on his second place finish last year by winning the 4K in 12:49. Marcie Micheloni, 14, claimed the women's race (16:34). Kelly returned to pace the masters in 13:59, fourth overall. Ben Fondren, 54, was sixth in 14:50 (a 5:58-mile pace).

Trent Briney captured the marquee 10K in 32:06. Paul Aufdemberge, 40, was the first master and runner-up overall, just nine ticks back. "The wind was pretty bad," said Aufdemberge. "We had to run together out there."

Tim Emmitt, 50, ran an impressive 37:49.

The women were led by Adrian Dent, whose 41:43 was almost a minute faster than runner-up Courtney Kosmala. Cathy Dean (44:51) was the masters queen. Ellen Nitz, 65, finished in 53:44.

Oldest finisher Joe Thornburg, 89, completed the 10K in 1:30:55.

The men's 60-64 age-group featured remarkable times, wind or not. Doug Goodhue, 63, was the grand masters champ in 38:14, exactly what he posted in 2004. He was chased by Gerard Malaczynski, 63, who finished in 38:27. Jim Carlton, 62, ran 40:20 and Dan Campbell, 60, 40:45.

What would the Big Bird be without Darrell McKee, 71, who has run all 27 races? Afterward he said hoarsely, "I'm really sick. Any other race I wouldn't have run." He noted that Russ LaBarge also finished. "He's run 'em all, too," McKee said.

McKee praised race director Lipinski. "Tony does a great job, especially with age-groups." Three to five awards went to age-group winners up to 85-89. "It's great that the Big Bird recognizes older runners," said McKee. "We still give it all we've got."

Runners were treated to the usual post-race amenities, including the raffle of two dozen turkeys (big birds!), plus gloves and hats for every runner, courtesy race sponsors Christian Financial Credit Union, Longhorn Steakhouse, Hanson's Running, Panera Bread and Petitpren Inc.

Complete results can be found at www.gaultracemanagement.com, and highlights viewed online at http://michiganrunner.tv/2005bigbird/

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at ron_marinucci@comcast.net. MR