“It was chilling,” recounted Doug Goodhue, race director of the 27^th John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge, and he wasn’t referring to the rain that soaked the hundreds of runners, volunteers and spectators who came together at Kensington Metro Park in Milford on a wet, cloudy, cool September morning.

John Rogucki, the namesake of the event, was as passionate about his country as he was about running, and to know John – that’s a whole lot of passion.

Fittingly, the proceeds of the race benefited, the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose vision is “to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation’s history.”

Goodhue arranged to have a ten person Color Guard from the American Legion in Milford at the start of the race to represent our veterans. In addition, retired Army Veteran, Pat Lubomski, sang our National Anthem at the start.

“It felt patriotic,” described Jane Sanders who ran the 15K for the second time, her fourth Challenge total having previously run the 5K.

“They got the name right!” Sanders exclaimed. “The hills are a challenge especially when you’re trying to race vs. train.”

Many shared Sanders sentiment, including Sara Vergote, who dominated the women in the 15K besting Masters’ champion and second place finisher, Marybeth Reader, by more than four minutes. Her first Challenge, 56:00, Vergote found the “steep downhills” to be the toughest part.

“The course,” she added, “was gorgeous,” another common sentiment amongst race participants including Donald Murphy, who further elaborated, “You can’t find a better place to run.”

For the men, merely seventeen seconds separated first place finisher, Matt Fecht, 49:12, from runner up, Kyle Mena who concurred that the course was hillier than expected.

Despite the unexpected drenchings from our Great Mother above, the abundance of athletes who competed in the 5K, 1-mile and 15K races, were in good spirits and enjoyed the cool albeit wet conditions.

Summing the situation up well was veteran runner, Darrell McKee, who with a sparkle in his eyes, and a grin from ear to ear, mused, “I’m getting wet!

Goodhue appreciated all of the dedicated runners and volunteers who came out and “put up with the weather.”

“Ideas for next year’s race are in the works,” Goodhue announced, “and I have already reserved the Park on September 17, 2011 for the 28^th John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge.”

Save the date! Fast times, family fun, good food and true-blue altruistic energy embodied the 27^th annual event. One can only imagine what Goodhue has up his sleeve for 2011.

For complete results and information on next year’s race, please visit http://www.runmichigan.com/ and http://www.aatrackclub.org/ accordingly.