PLYMOUTH (6/15/03) -- Who says 13 is unlucky? Rebekah Smeltzer, 13, started Plymouth Father's Day YMCA activities placing second in a one-mile run. The Monroe Jefferson High School freshman-to-be next won the 5K, then ran away with the 10K title.

"It was a good day, except my legs got a little sore at the end of the 10K," Smeltzer said.

Nicole Scramski, women's runnerup in the 10K, was impressed. "I was in the lead until the two-mile mark," said Scramski, 24, of Westland. "Then the young lady (Smeltzer) so kindly took over the position. She was good -- very good!"

Smeltzer finished in 41:01, Scramski 42:17. Suzanna Cabana, 31, of Dexter, placed third in 43:39.

Smeltzer was also very good in the 5K, nipping Suzanne Larsen with an 18:57.

Larsen, 25, of Fenton, led from the start. "I had my eyes on her at the two mile," Smeltzer said. "She was maybe 100 yards in front of me. So I went after her."

Smeltzer slipped by Larsen with about 50 yards to go. "She surged at the end," said Larsen. "I responded too late. She ran a great race."

Larsen's 18:59 was a nine-second PR. Amy Wolgang, 35, of Chelsea, took third in 19:54.

Kristie Savage, 14, of Dearborn, was the only female who outran Smeltzer, winning the mile in 5:58. Then came Smeltzer (6:32) and her sister, Carrie Smeltzer, 20 (6:33).

For the men, Justin Hajduk, 17, of Canton, won the mile (4:40), followed by Benjamin Salvette, 19, of Ann Arbor (4:56) and Ben Seinen, 28, of Plymouth (5:13).

Eric Mink, 19, of Livonia, claimed the 5K (16:48). Salvette was again second (17:09).

The men's 10K went to Karl Zubal, 37, of Hazel Park. "The lead pack went out at a 5:20 pace," said Zubal. "I went out at 5:40. I didn't think I had a chance to win for the first few miles."

He began gaining ground after three miles, surged by a three-man lead pack at five and finished in 34:39. Patrick Deighan, 36, of Berkley, took second (34:53) and Donnie Warner, 20, third (35:32).

Winning MDG Triple titles, for the three races combined, were Smeltzer (total time 1:06:30) and Salvette (57:50). Top masters were Maggy Zidar, 53, of Pontiac (1:16:26) and Kurt Schneider, 44, of Harper Woods (1:03:54).

The Father's Day fun included children's races, plus 5K and one-mile walks.

"We had close to 900 entrants," said Thomas Morse, who has directed the race for 18 of its 24 years.

For complete race results, go to http://www.gaultra cemanagement. MR