WEST BLOOMFIELD (4/18/04) - Esteban Vanegas handled heat, humidity and hills to make history at the 28th annual West Bloomfield Half-Marathon and 5K.

Vanegas, 33, a factory worker from St. Louis, Mich., won both races on the same day.

He took command of the morning 5K from the start, cruising home in 15:54. Aaron Metler, 20, of West Bloomfield, came in second (16:35) and Billy Jack, 25, of Royal Oak, third (17:34).

Vanegas led stem to stern in the afternoon half-marathon, weathering temperatures in the 80s to win in 1:15:21.

Two-year defending champ Don Malen, 34, of Troy, finished second in 1:16:56. Karl Zubal, 38, of Hazel Parkm came in third (1:22:05). "I love this race," Malen said. "I've run it almost every year since the mid- 1990s. It's fun and always challenging."

The 2003 women's half-marathon queen, Barb Clark, changed her name to Barb Gillroy during the past year. But her result was the same. Gillroy, 40, of Highland, prevailed in 1:41:12.

For the women, the 2003 winner, Barb Clark changed her name to Barb Gillroy during the past year. But the result was the same.

Gillroy, 40, of Highland, prevailed in 1:41:32. University of Michigan student Maurin Utz, 21, from Newport, R.I., placed second (1:42:25) and Holly James, 26, of Hazel Park, third (1:43:24).

North Farmington High School assistant track coach Monica Czerwinski, 25, led the women's 5K going into the last half-mile. Then, Cathrin Ring, 36, of Ann Arbor, passed her.

"I was sprinter in high school," said Czerwinski. "I felt if I could stay close enough behind her, I could still win."

She made her move with about 100 yards to go, passed Ring and triumphed in 20:38. Next came Ring (20:44) and Jenna Hertz, 15, of Franklin (22:17).

Ring, the mother of five young children, said she couldn't hold off Czerwinski because, "I may have raided my kids' Easter candy too many times." MR