MACKINAC ISLAND (6/7) -- Fear, shock, betrayal: American soldiers may have felt all when the British landed on the west shore of this island and captured Ft. Mackinac during the War of 1812.

These days, runners in the Lilac Festival 10K have different emotions when they come to British Landing, the road through the island's center that traces the Redcoats' path to the fort.

Many feel relief because they've climbed hundreds of feet up Garrison Road to the island's summit. Racing down, they may feel also reverence as they pass battlefields, cemeteries and war memorials. Then runners turn onto a flat road around the shore.

At that point in this year's race, with the Mackinac Bridge in the hazy distance, Aaron Waclawski, 25, led with James Wahl, 21, of Rose City, catching up. It was hard to see through the drizzle.

"(Wahl) came up on me about midway through the fifth mile," said Waclawski. "We battled back and forth. Then I broke away."

Waclawski, who ran for Northwood University, won in 34:25. "I was hoping for 33's, but I haven't raced in more than six months," he said. "So being in the 34's doesn't bother me." Wahl finished second in 34:57. "I liked the hills, particularly the downhills," he said. "And the finish was really awesome."

Aaron Smada, 17, of Rogers City, was third in 36:31. Alan Jarvie, 49, of Fibre, and Tom Harbaugh, 54, of Boyne City, tied as top masters in 39:53.

Laura Ankrum, 30, of Grand Blanc led the women in 37:44. Next were Jane Stieber, 18, of Boyne City (40:41) and Heather Kersjes, 22, of Saginaw (43:07). Bonnie Arlt, 51, of Millersburg, was masters queen (45:30). Ankrum, who also won the Lilac 10K in 1999, said this year's course was tougher. "But I liked that," Ankrum said.

The festival included a 10K walk and a children's fun run.

For complete results, visit http://www.doitsports.com. MR