Bud James retires as race director; Fate of Scenic 10 undecided
Alene Reta, Reuben Chebii, and Nicholas Manza Kamakya were playing running musical chairs most of the Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile on Labor Day-each trading first, second and third place during the race. The trio from Africa separated themselves early from the rest of the runners. But Alene Reta, 25, of Ethiopia, jetted himself in front of Chebii and Kamakya at mile seven and on to a first-place finish in 47:17.

Reta and the two Kenyans were in a close heat from the first mile through the forest preserve, up to the winding six-mile mark at Orchard Road and Sauk Trail Road. Reta kicked in the afterburners at the seventh mile. The Ethiopian left the group opening up a five-stride lead.

Reta continued his winning pace from the eight-mile mark to the end, establishing a commanding 15-second lead. This was Reta's second victory in Park Forest; He also placed first in 2005. He collected a prize of $3,000.

"Today was good-it was my day," said Reta. "The first three miles I was tired, but after that I felt comfortable-my body warms up and I feel great."

Reuben Chebii, 24, Kenya, finished second (47:33) collecting $2,000. Nicholas Manza Kamakya, 22, Kenya, started to run out of steam near the seven-mile mark; he fell to third in 47:55. He won the third place $1,000 prize.

Last year's winner and course record-breaker Nelson Kiplagat took fifth (49:39).

Tinley Park's Jeff Jonaitis, 26, had the Chicago area's best finish (ninth, 51:05). "I would've liked to break 50 minutes, but the heat kind of played into part of it," said Jonaitis. He also attributed his top 10 finish to his training for the Olympic Trials in November.

Kenyan Leah Kiprono, 27, took the women's top spot. She captured the $3,000 prize breezing in ahead of the field in 55:12. Her closest competitor, fellow Kenyan Caroline Cheptanui, 23, (55:12), was a good six seconds off the pace at the end but they were close before the final mile.

"At nine miles it was only us two (me and Cheptanui)," explained Kiprono. "But at the finish I got the break.'"

Cheptanui took second, worth $2,000. Florence Jepkosgei, 23, of Kenya, finished a distant third in 56:36, collecting $1,000.

Chicago's Claudia Becque, 31, who has been popping up in top 10 finishes everywhere, had Illinois' best result with an impressive sixth place (1:00:59). "I was excited how I ran." said Becque. "I was going for a top ten, hopefully. So when I crossed-and they said I got sixth-I was shocked." Becque will receive a bonus of up to $1,500 as a top American finisher.

Mary Alico, 44, Boulder, Colorado, (1:03:44) was the top masters female (40+) runner, while the top male was Kyle Moss, 41, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (55:02). Both collected $300.

The 30th annual Scenic 10 Mile race may be the last, or become reorganized, if monetary support and new leadership cannot be garnered for 2008. Event Director Bud James said he will be leaving his post after 20 years and a replacement has not yet been named due to lack of interest.

"They (the village) have developed a committee to study the feasibility of continuing the race as it is-with the international," said James. The committee is also studying the ability to keep the race a "local only" event. Finally, the team will determine if ending the race completely after this year, while "going out on top," according to James, is appropriate.

"I don't know right now what's going to happen," added James. "It's a catch-22. If you do the race you have to do it the right way."

The runners' interest has not wavered-this year's participants totaled 1,750.

Top 10 Finishers

Male results - 10-mile
1. Alene Reta, 25, Ethiopia, 47:17
2. Reuben Chebii, 24, Kenya, 47:33
3. Nicholas Manza Kamakya, 22, Kenya, 47:55
4. Richard Kimeli, 27, Kenya, 49:38
5. Nelson Kiplagat, 27, Kenya, 49:39
6. Teren Jameson, 30, Taylorsville, VT, U.S.A., 50:18
7. Josphat Ndeti, 31, Kenya, 50:43
8. Matt Thull, 32, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A., 50:59
9. Jeff Jonaitis, 26, Tinley Park, IL, U.S.A., 51:05
10. David Williams, 35, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A., 51:21

Female results - 10-mile
1. Leah Kiprono, 27, Kenya, 55:06
2. Caroline Cheptanui, 23, Kenya, 55:12
3. Florence Jepkosgei, 23, Kenya, 56:36
4. Lilian Chelimo, 30, Kenya, 57:02
5. Margaret Nakintu, 24, St. Louis, MO, 59:08
6. Claudia Becque, 31, Chicago, IL, 1:00:59
7. Suzanne Ryan, 33, West Chicago, IL, 1:02:05
8. Audrey Giesler, 25, Chicago, IL, 1:02:33
9. Bridget Montgomery, 27, Chicago, IL, 1:03:09
10. Mary M. Alico, 44, Boulder, CO, 1:03:44

Male results - 5K
1. Todd Quednau, 25, Chicago, IL, 16:12
2. Jason Lee, 31, Chicago, IL, 16:38
3. Gustavo Ruiz, 39, Aurora, IL, 17:42
4. Brian Thompson, 27, Peotone, IL, 19:03
5. Dave MacKnick, 42, Chicago, IL, 19:24
6. Jamie Parks, 45, Tinley Park, IL, 19:35
7. Gary Townsend, 55, Oak Park, IL, 19:36
8. Marc Risser, 37, Orland Park, IL, 19:52
9. Brian Vides, 13, North Aurora, IL, 20:15
10. Jorge Avila, 24, Montgomery, IL, 20:32

Female results - 5K
1. Vicky Garcia, 13, Homewood, IL, 19:55
2. Alison Swade, 25, Downers Grove, IL, 19:58
3. Janet Marks, 46, Orland Park, IL, 20:11
4. Elizabeth Serna, 13, Elgin, IL, 21:15
5. Taylor L. Markanich, 12, Bourbonnais, IL, 21:22
6. Claire Concannon, 40, Chicago, IL, 22:29
7. Norma Fonseca, 40, Aurora, IL, 22:38
8. Emma Weissbeck, 9, Schererville, IN, 22:49
9. Pamela Powell, 43, Bourbonnais, IL, 23:26
10. Valerie Valente, 27, Crete, IL, 23:39