Instead, it was a huge success as more than 1,000 men, women, boys, girls and four-legged-beasts flocked to the corner of Wells and Baldwin Streets in Ann Arbor for the 32nd annual Burns Park Run.

Despite torrential-like conditions across the state just hours before the race, shortly before 8:30 a.m. precipitation ceased, and the sun peeked out for the start of the 5K-race followed ten minutes later by the 10K.

Under mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-sixties, nearly 300 children, kindergarten through grade twelve, ran in the 5K and over 20 more took on the 6.2-mile race.  Some ran with mom, others with dad and several ran with friends, relatives or on their own.  Each and every one received a medal upon completion of their race.

Additionally, close to 200 children aged twelve and below completed the fun run, approximately ½ mile in length.  A few young tots ran hand in hand, and all received a finisher’s ribbon to commemorate their accomplishment.

While race proceeds have always benefitted the Burns Park PTO, this year in an effort to share their event with more schools, race directors, Joel and Jackie Dalton, provided the opportunity for schools outside of Burns Park to form teams and raise funds for their own PTO.

Brother and sister, Owen and Hannah Connell, raised funds for their school, Haisley Elementary.  Hannah, 8 ½ years, ran the 5K on her own, and Owen, age 7, ran with his dad, Scott, while their mom, Laura, pregnant with would-be-runner number three, cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.

Emerson School’s sixth grade student, Katy Ross, ran the 5K and was enthusiastic about the downhill finish.  As she came down the final hill, Katy said, “my insides were jiggling, and my feet were a blur!  I was running, running fast and running so fast that I just could not stop!”

The course, one loop for the 5K and two loops for the 10K, was contained within the confines of Ann Arbor’s charming neighborhoods.  Runners were challenged with many quick turns, and while the route was flat and fast for the majority of the way, two big hills shortly after mile two, and five for the 10K, made the laws of gravity a liberating affair since what goes up, must come down.

Overall winners in the 5K included Adam Dohm of Saline in 16:31 and Rebecca Price of Ann Arbor in 20:27.  Conquerors of the 10K were Jeremiah Holden and Serena Kessler of Ann Arbor in their respective times of 37:08 and 41:45.

Top winners in the 5 and 10K received shoe coupons from Running Fit, and customized John “the Penguin” Bingham medals were awarded to the top male and female Masters and Grand Masters as well as three deep in each grade for youth, kindergarten through 8th and 9th – 12th.  Every five-year age division, beginning at 18, three deep in each received medals, as did the top five male and female walkers.

“A slice of Americana in its most wholesome form,” is how Ann Arbor Track Club President, Mitch Garner described the event.  “For me the biggest thrill was to see the family participation in the race, extended family and friends too, joined together in a celebration of fitness and community.”

For complete results and more information on the Burns Park Run, please visit http://www.everalracemgt.com and http://www.burnsparkrun.org