Detroit Free Press / Flagstar Bank Marathon
DETROIT (10/5/03) -- The 26th annual Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon drew more than 6,500 runners and walkers -- its largest field in history -- thanks to fine weather and race "side dishes," if you will.

Growing popularity of the marathon relay, Compuware 5K and Kids Mini-Marathon 5K helped send Freep numbers through the ceiling.

The Compuware 5K attracted more than 850, the kids 5K 65, and the marathon relay 674 teams (2,392 runners). Add a solid 3,250 who tackled the 26.2-miler on their own, and this was a record-smashing day.

Defending-champ John Kariuki, 34, and fellow Kenyans Hillary Lelei, 25, and Wilson Komen, 27, set the marathon pace early. Mike Dudley, 33, of Georgia, Freep winner in 1996, followed close behind.

"The leaders went out slow the first mile in 5:21," said Dudley. "Then they dropped down to 5:07, then 5:02, so I stepped it back."

Soon Komen fell off the pace, leaving Kariuki to battle Lelei. Battle, they did.

Kariuki threw in several surges and opened a lead on the younger runner. But Lelei, a farmer from Kapsabet, reponded with his own surge and pulled away after 20 miles.

Lelei broke tape at the 50-yard-line of Ford Field with a time of 2:19:27. Dudley passed Kariuki at the entrance to the stadium.

"He (Kariuki) was in survival mode by then," Dudley said. "I went by him as hard as I could and he didn't respond."

Dudley finished in 2:20:29, Kariuki in 2:20:49.

Aaron Usher, 25, of Gregory, was the first Michigan finisher, ninth overall, in 2:39:15. Dan Droski, 37, of Lowell, was right behind him in 10th place (2:39:17).

Elvira Kolpakova, 30, led the women's race start to finish, crossing in 2:46:59. "Detroit is very beautiful," the Russian told reporters in finish chute. That was about all the English the winner spoke.

"She looked like she wasn't even working," said Tom Demerly of Dearborn, who rode a pace bike beside Kolpakova. "It was apparent she had a lot left in reserve."

A Packer fan followed the Russian across the finish line. Carol LeGate, 40, of Green Bay, was women's runnerup in 2:48:58.

"She (Kolpakova) took it out fast," said LeGate. "I was hoping to catch her at the end, but I couldn't do it."

Top Michiganian Sarah Plaxton, 35, of Pinckney, took third overall in 2:52:23. Plaxton, runnerup in 2002 with a PR 2:48:45, couldn't quite find last year's pace. "I was a lot stiffer than I usually am in a marathon," Plaxton said.

LeGate's Green Bay training partners Lea Baer, 26, and Marie Sumnicht, 41, finished fourth and fifth in 2:57:19 and 2:58:42. "After finishing in Ford Field," said Sumnicht, "we're hoping to convince Green Bay Marathon sponsors to finish that race at Lambeau Field."

Defending handcycle champ Seth Arseneau, 24, of Sturgis -- paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcyle accident two years ago -- completed the day's fastest marathon in 1:17:26. "I probably got up to 40 mph through the tunnel. I take it hard as I can spin it," the winner said.

Monica Bascio, 34, of Evergreen, Col., was the first female handcyclist (1:53:12).

Another defending champ, Krige Schabort of Cedartown, Ga., won the wheelchair race (for the fourth time here) in 1:41:10. "It's a really challenging course," said Schabort. "Especially going up over the (Ambassador) bridge."

April Coughlin, of New Platz, N.Y., was women's wheelchair queen in 2:38:40.

In the two-person marathon relay, "Hanson/Brooks" (Kyle O'Brien, Bob Busquaert) had the fastest team (2:16:12). "Goddesses in Training" (Dina Glendening, Amy Wolfgang) were top women in 3:03:27. "Slow & Tired" (Dave and Kim Peterson, 2:39:56) were the winning mixed team.

In the five-person relay, "Front Line A Team" (Matthew Yucoung, Mike Wilusz, Ryan Bissell, Josh Scully, Abel Navarro) were fastest in 2:28:54.

"Lauraleighbillwart" broke the course five-women relay record, crossing in 2:35:58. "We shattered the record," corrected Laurel Park, who teamed with Laura Murphy, Ann Stewart, Monica Hostetler and Rachel Graybill for the triumph.

"Athletic Supporters" (Molly Bynington, Tracey Rizer, Jeff Rizer, Bett Sanborn, Jonathan Sieber) were coed winners (2:32:44).

Chris Machniak of Flint (17:00) and Robin Sarris-Hallop of Ann Arbor (20:18) were men's and women's Compuware 5K champs.