CUTLERVILLE (6/12/04) - Beat the last U.S. Olympic distance medalist and win a donut. A record 796 runners answered the challenge at the 15th annual Brian Diemer Amerikam 5K.

Diemer, 1984 steeplechase bronze medalist, was delighted with the turnout, up from 450 last year. He was also good-natured about forking out for four dozen pastries.

"The wheels don't turn as fast as they used to," said Diemer, 42, still more than active as Everett's Landscape Management owner, Calvin College distance-running coach, dad and husband.

"We have prize money ($6,500) that draws fast people, and Cutlerville Days (with parade, Junior Jog, games, food booths and more) for families when the race ends. We like welcoming people to our hometown."

Adding to the fun were the facts the event was part of Michigan Runner's 2004 Race Series, and the greater Grand Rapids Corporate Triple Crown. "With all the speed here, I thought I might need to buy 10 dozen donuts," Diemer said.

Leading from the gun - actually, the sound of a trombone blown by Diemer's dad, Everett - was defending champ Matt Thull, 29, of Milwaukee. Ian Forsyth, 32, of Ann Arbor - the 1998 Michigan Runner of the Year - kept Thull in his sights.

On the women's side, Betsy Frens, 29 - running her first race since having her first child in November - was challenged by former Irish Olympian Monica Joyce, 45, of Pinckney, and other standouts.

Thull, whose 14:25 fell four seconds shy of the course record he set last year, was a gracious winner. "(Race director) Robert Hyde is a longtime friend," Thull said. "I love coming here. The crowd support is terrific, and Brian is world-class in more than running. He's a humble, genuine guy who inspires us all."

Forsyth (14:37) was top state finisher. Next came Jeremy Hurley, 27, of Wyoming (14:45); Joel Klooster, 25, of Grand Rapids (14:49); and Eastern Michigan University's Joel David, 23 (15:00).

Eighth overall, and first master, was 2003 Michigan Runner of the Year Mike Scannell, 42, of Grand Blanc (15:11). Doug Goodhue, 62, of Milford (18:02) topped James Carlton, 61, of White Lake (18:23) in the senior men's race. Carlton's effort was good for a donut; Goodhue's a donut hole, this time out.

Frens - who, like Diemer, starred for race-host South Christian Schools - regained the women's crown she abandoned last year with a 17:05. Then came masters champ Joyce (17:13); former Michigan high school state champ Bethany Brewster, 24, now of Wisconsin (17:28); and Cami Moll, 23, of Grand Haven (17:46).

Diemer (18:07) wasn't crying over prospects of selling the mortgage to Krispy Kremes. He was too busy towing kids, behind his old Farm-All tractor, in the parade.

Does he still use the tractor for work?

"Oh no," said Everett Diemer, who still remembers his son leaping over electric fences on the property while training to run the steeplechase.

"That old tractor is too important to him," he said.

Complete race results are available online at www.classicrace.com. MR