Byline: Laura Vecsey Staff writer
From the moment Judi St. Hilaire committed to competing in the Freihofer's Run for Women 5K, there was no doubt - barring some bizarre twist of fate - that the race was hers to do with as she pleased.
What 31-year-old St. Hilaire chose to do Saturday was excuse herself immediately from the pack of nearly 1,400 runners and take a solitary jaunt through the winding streets of Washington Park.
St. Hilaire, who set a U.S. 5-kilometer record the last time she ran this race in 1989, clocked a 5:05 the first mile Saturday for a 10-second lead and never had to look back. She crossed the finish line in 15 minutes and 41 seconds, the clear, comfortable winner of the prestigious 13-year- old road race.
"I didn't really have anyone to work with," said St. Hilaire, who collected $5,000 of the total $17,500 purse. "I just had to concentrate, dig down and forget the pain, and just go for it."
The real competition was …
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