WHITMORE LAKE (7/4/03) -- Lisa Baran warmed up for Independence Day placing fourth in the women's 10K. Then the South Lyon woman, 19, fired her afterburners and won the women's Splash 'N' Dash for the third-straight year.

Baran built a small lead in the latter race during the sprint down to Whitmore Lake, then expanded her margin during the swim.

"I'm on the Hope College (Holland) swim team. That helps," she said.

Baran dashed from the lake to the finish well ahead of runnerup Karen Halter.

Brian Francis, 35, of Whitmore Lake, was men's Splash 'N' Dash champ. "I've been trying to win this race for a long time," said Francis, who finished second here several years ago. "I had friends and family rooting for me down at the lake."

Francis escaped the water tied for first with another entrant. "I ran back without my shoes because that saves time," he said. "I gave everything I had. I ran so hard I felt I might pass out at the end."

Francis crossed the finish line in 10:59, comfortably ahead of runnerup Aaron Bachman.

Justin Keyes, 21, of Westland, and Susan Tatigan, 36, of Livonia, were 10K winners.

"I've run this race nine years, but this is the first time I've won," said Keyes, who clocked 32:52. "I've been second the last two years."

Tatigan repeated as women's champion. "I'm in better shape than last year," she said. "My time today may have been slower, but it was a good effort in the heat."

Tatigan coaches the Livonia Churchill High School girls cross-country team. One of her harriers, Gabriela Gutierrez, 17, took fifth in the 10K in 46 minutes -- 13 minutes faster than her time last year.

Russell Lapham, 19, of South Lyon, won the Tin Man award for best combined 10K and Splash 'N' Dash placings. Karen Halter won the Tin Woman competition.

Ryan Fagin, 15, of South Lyon, and Rachel Lambert, 13, of Livonia, were 5K winners.

Race proceeds went to Whitmore Lake Kiwanis Club service projects. Fees included tickets for the club's chicken barbecue. MR