ESCANABA — Rob Cavalieri led a field of 10 runners here Sunday, gaining top honors in the 36th Annual Escanaba Slip-Sliding-Away Run.

Cavalieri, a native of Norway, covered the five-mile course in 34 minutes, two seconds. He was followed by Esky sophomore Austin Watchorn (36:21) and Gary Whitmer of Gladstone (37:32) on this sunny and breezy day with temperatures near 40.

“The wind was challenging going out, but once we got the wind on our back it was nice,” said Cavalieri. “I pushed it a lot harder than I planned.”

Jill Richard of Garden took the women’s title in 39:53 and Barb Trudeau of Marquette was runner-up at 42:34.

“Going into the wind was like running into a brick wall,” said Richard. “I haven’t run on a short, fast course in a while. It’s always nice to have somebody ahead of and behind me. It keeps me motivated.”

Kevin Holmes of Escanaba ran his career total to 160,000 miles after completing the course in 40:20.

Male

Overall winner — Rob Cavalieri, Norway, 34:02

16-19 — Austin Watchorn, Ford River, 36:21; 50-54 — Steve Ostrenga, Escanaba, 38:48; 60-64 — Gary Whitmer, Gladstone, 37:32; 70 & over — Dick Jenkins, Escanaba, 1:13:42.

Female

Overall winner — Jill Richard, Garden, 39:53

60-64 — Barb Trudeau, Marquette, 42:34; 70 & over — Judy Balanda, Escanaba, 1:13:41.