French Wins Hometown Race
HOWELL (11/25/05) - You can't go home again? Try telling that to Matt French. The ex-Howell High School standout ran his first race in more than six months at the 11th annual Fantasy 5K, easily cruising to victory in 16:08. French, fourth in the 2001 MHSAA Division 1 state cross country championships and former a Western Michigan University Bronco, recently redshirted his cross country season for the University of Kansas due to injury. He has been a regular contributor for the Jayhawks, who finished 12th at the 2005 NCAA Division I nationals. The Fantasy 5K, which precedes the Christmas-themed Festival of Lights parade through historic downtown Howell, boasts a festive atmosphere and close to 25,000 spectators. Entrants are issued blinking lights to clip onto their running outfits, so each has his or her own decoration for the night. French, 22, took control of the 796-runner-and-walker field early on the triple-turnaround course traversing Grand River Avenue. By the mile mark he held an 80-meter gap on eventual runner-up and master's winner Eric Stuber, 42, of Lansing (17:04). "I was hoping someone would come with me," French said of his strategy. "I shut it down and ran tempo after the mile. I love running this race under the lights." Suzanne Larsen, 28 of Fenton, won the women's title in 18:29. "It wasn't bad once we got going," said Larsen of the chilly, breezy conditions. The snow held off until about the time Hartland's cross country contingent, clad in white togas, finished. "This race is fun for the whole family," Larsen added, noting that the 5K distance is just right. Milford resident Krys Brish, 42, took the women's master's title in 20:33. Vic Mead (19:30) and the ever-familiar Maggy Zidar (23:29) were the top male and female grand masters. Afterward participants took off their white custom Fantasy 5K running gloves to enjoy hot pizza in the warmth of the First Presbyterian Church basement, completing the Thanksgiving running tradition. MR