DETROIT (3/16/03) -- Sixty-degree weather at the starting line and cold beer at the finish made for a festive mix at the 21st annual Corktown Four-Mile Run, held at Tiger Stadium.

"It was the second-warmest day in Corktown history," said race director Ed Kozloff of the Motor City Striders. "In 1995, we had 65 degrees. Usually, it's 30 to 35."

Close to 1,100 people took advantage of the weather to run or walk, then watch the Detroit St. Patrick's Day Parade afterward.

"That was one of our biggest turnouts," Kozloff said. "We had 700 people show up on race day, which is about what we had for last year's entire race."

Among the throng were two women who'd won the race two times each. Cheryl Klotkowski, 27, of Dearborn, champ in 2000 and 2001, led early. Then 1991 and '98 winner Kathy Rink, 36, of Clarkston, passed her at two miles and continued to victory in 24:21.

"My four-mile PR is in the 22's," said Rink, who gave birth to her second child in October. "But I'm very happy with 24:21."

Though she finished second, Klotkowski ran her fastest four-mile ever (24:40). "My previous best was 24:57," she said. "I felt good today, light and fast, and the weather was ideal. It's been much colder when I've run Corktown in past."

Stacey Geiermann, 39, of Monroe, placed third in 25:25. Rochester High School student Ashley Anderson, 18, set a PR finishing fourth in 25:55.

Gina Norris, 46 was the women's masters winner in 28:31.

Mark Scoles, 26, of Monroe, won the men's race in 21:15. Next came Joseph Deighan, 32, of Royal Oak (21:30) and Andy Ames, 25, of Detroit (21:43).

Tim Emmett, 47, of Royal Oak, was the first male master in 22:34. Danny O'Donohue, 11, of Livonia, won the boys quarter-mile in 1:24. Alayna Ledue, 10, of Chesterfield, claimed the girl's crown in 1:33. For complete race results, go to www.motorcitystriders.com.