375 Runners Take on Lilac Festival 10K
By Bernie Nguyen

Island visitors who feel that walking the Island's many trails is an exertion were certainly not visible in the crowd of runners that gathered at Windermere Point for the Lilac 10K Run, that took runners through town, up Fort Hill, along Garrison Road through the center of the Island, down to British Landing, and along the shore road to the finish line at Mackinac Island Public School.

Participating were 375 runners and 165 walkers. Aid stations were set up along the route, operated by Mackinac Island Public School students, who handed out water to thirsty runners.

Gault Race Management, which organizes the three Mackinac races the Lilac 10K, the eight mile Around the Island race, and the October halfmarathon started the walkers one minute after the runners to avoid any accidental collisions. Many people, said Emily Caskey, who works with Gault, make the Lilac 10K a regular part of their summer to kick off the running season.

Andy Muchow, a 43-yearold from West Bloomfield who was the overall winner of the run with a time of 35 minutes, 42 seconds, ran this trail for the first time and said he enjoyed its beauty.

"It's actually a nice distraction to look at all the sites while you're running," he said.

The formidable hill leading from downtown to the center of the Island played a large role in the outcome, he noted, slowing most of the runners because of its incline.

Mr. Muchow said he especially enjoyed the chance to come to Mackinac and turn the race into a mini-vacation.

"It's fun to tie it into a weekend," he said, explaining that he and his wife took advantage of their stay on the Island to enjoy the sights.

Other winners of the 10K run include Laurie Decker, who was the first female to finish with a time of 40 minutes, 38 seconds.

Masters winners were Frank Schenkenburger, who came in second place overall with a time of 37 minutes, 14 seconds, and Peggy Zeeb, who was the second female to finish. Winners of the walk were William Gardner, with a time of one hour, six minutes, 33 seconds and Kathy Gurin, the first female and the overall second place walker, with a time of one hour, six minutes, 44 seconds.

The top three winners in each age category received a plaque to commemorate their efforts.

After the adult race, the Lil' Lilac 1/4 Mile Run/Walk took place at the school. Children ran around an improvised track and all participants received a medal.