Rochester Community Schools' Hometown Hustle a Huge Hit

In the early Saturday sunlight, more than 300 runners and volunteers congregated at the corner of Wilcox and University Drive, stretching, chatting, laughing and waiting.

Moments later, the piercing "pop!' of a cap gun signaled the start of the sixth annual Hometown Hustle 5K Run/Walk, and the runners were off.

Donning green and blue shirts and ranging in age from just 4 years old to a young 76, the runners snaked their way through Rochester neighborhoods and trails, making a large loop before crossing the finish line in the parking lot of the Rochester Community Schools administration building, where the race began.

"It donates money back to the Rochester Community Schools in the form of grants," said Debra Hartman, manager of the Rochester Community Schools Foundation. "We try to do it Mother's Day weekend because that's a good weekend to get people coming out."

"It's become kind of a community event," said David Pruneau, Rochester Community Schools superintendent. "It's a great fundraiser for the foundation, and we keep hoping it grows."

Anthony Kowalchick, a 17-year-old student at , clinched first place in the 5K race with an overall time of 18:48.

Auburn Hills resident Kim Mroczek, 27, was the first female to cross the finish line with a time of 20:31.

Nine-year-old Brookie Brennan of Rochester placed first in the "female 9 and under" category with a time of 25:13; Matthew Lajoie, 8, of Rochester placed first in the "male 9 and under" category with a time of 28:08.

The youngest participants – 4-year-olds Amelia Windeler and Quentin Ubaydi – finished the 5K race in 58:48 and 35:32, respectively.

The eldest participant, 76-year-old Marvin Stevenson of Rochester, finished the race in just 37:53.

Race results are courtesy of Rotpac Racing. For detailed race results for the Hometown Hustle, click here.