ROSEVILLE (11/9/03) -- Founding and current Big Bird Run directors Larry Snelling and Tony Lipinski asked me the same question: How many races have lasted 25 years? Not many.

On Nov. 9, Big Bird entered that elite company. This magazine, also celebrating its silver anniversary, filmed festivities for the internet. Visit www.michiganrunner.tv.

Local resident Russ LaBarge brought his idea for a run to the Roseville parks and recreation committee, remembered Snelling. The city jumped on it.

"The name 'Turkey Trot' was taken, so we decided on 'Big Bird' in keeping with the Thanksgiving theme," he said.

Pettipren Distributors has been a sponsor throughout the race's 25-year-ride. "That has to be unusual," Snelling said.

The first Big Bird -- held on a sunny, near-70-degree day in 1979 -- drew 176 runners. "The course harder then," Snelling remembered.

The course was changed, participation grew to more than 1,000 a couple years, and Roseville's early-November weather proved unpredictable. Veteran Big Birders have experienced driving snow, rainstorms, heat, near-gale-force winds ... you name it.

The 25th Big Bird threatened to chill runners to the bone. Those from outlying areas woke to temperatures in the upper teens and put on cold-weather gear. By race time, sunshine had pushed the mercury over the freezing point. That and no wind made for a pleasant run. Fast too.

Brian Sell, one of the thoroughbreds training with Team Hansons, shattered the 31:19 course record for the 10K, topping the 412-runner field with a 29:59. The next three finishers -- Hansonites Nick Cordes, Trent Briney and

James Lander -- also smashed the old mark.

Team Hansons captured the top seven places. Masters winner Michael Cudlip, 46, of Lakeport, placed 15th overall in 36:17.

Carly Graytock (36:09) and Leigh Daniel (36:47) made it a one-two sweep for the Hansons women. First-year master Laura Murphy finished just behind Daniel in 36:51.

Top age-group performers included Doug Goodhue, 61 (38:53); John Tarkowski, 50 (37:43); Grace Harrison, 57 (14th among the 134 women in 45:45); and Ellen Nitz, 63 (48:34).

The 4K attracted 363 finishers. Peter Loy, 15, of Grosse Pointe Farms (13:33) and Kellie Fagerman, 34, of Royal Oak (16:28) were men's and women's winners. Only 14 seconds separated the top three men, seven seconds the first three women.

Wearing bib No. 25 was Darrell McKee, 69, who's run all 25 Big Birds. "This is the greatest 10K in the state!" he exclaimed, adding 54 years ago he'd run part of the course as a member of Roseville High School's cross-country team.

Lipinski was excited to see this year's turnout for the 10K, 4K and one-mile fun run exceed 800. "That's as high as we've been in years," the director said.

Much has changed in the last quarter-century -- the fall of communism in Europe, the rise of gas prices and computers -- but it's comforting to know that a few things haven't. The Roseville Big Bird remains a quality, fun race.

For complete results, visit www.gaultracemanagement.com.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by e-mail at RMarin6424@aol.com.