Close to 250 runners showed up to join the New Year’s Resolution Run on the morning of Jan. 1.
The event, which has drawn around 100 runners in the past two years, was expected to grow, but the giant leap wasn’t expected by the organizer, Downtown Lake Orion.
Runners participated in the 5k event from throughout the metro area and from as far away as Canada and Ohio.
Just before the event began, a group of young men wearing black ski masks and black running pants and no shirts ran up to join the race.
They joined the starting line with the competitive runners, the dog walkers, the fun runners and the baby buggy pushers and the race began.
The weather was great and spirits were high as they all took off under a cloud of confetti created by the starting gun. Runners were greeted at the finish line by left over New Year’s revelers from the night before, sporting party hats and noise makers.
Sponsors for this year’s event included: Auger Architects, Clip Away Hair Salon, Global Soccer, Lakes Community Credit Union, Paint Creek Bicycles, Ponder Book and Beverage, Poppyseed Deli, Schenden’s Spa on the Lake.
Race results
Men
First Place — 15.22 — Jordan Desiletts
Second Place — 16.32 — Justin Desiletts
Third Place — 16.57 — Rick Straghen
Women
First Place — 20.00 — Ashley Wharton
Second Place — 20.35 — Nancy Cassel
Third Place — 22.00 — Maggy Zidar