VIDEO: The fork in the road: Good look at everyone in the race

VIDEO: Pete Maksimow wins Rescue Run 10K, talks about marathon plans

VIDEO: Connilee Walter captures women's 10K

VIDEO: Michael Claflin, 16 wins men's 5K

Finish line photo gallery: Braving the single-digit temps

Photo gallery No. 1

Photo Gallery No. 2

Photo Gallery No. 3

Photo Gallery No. 4

RESULTS: 5K age-group

RESULTS: 10K age-group

The weather was perfect for an event called the Rescue Run. Temperatures at the starting line of the traditional New Year's Day  5K/10K in Palmer Park were stuck in the single digits. But that did not prevent 558 Colorado Springs-area runners from turning out.

The cold was a bit of a shock for 16-year-old Michael Claflin, a Liberty High School student, who won the men's 5K race in 18:58.

"It was really icy on the uphill and even coming down, trying to gain traction, it was really slick and there were people falling," he said. "I've never ran in weather this cold."

Claflin took the lead at the halfway point then sailed home for an easy win. Ronni Archuleta, 46, of Colorado Springs, was second in 20:16, followed by Drew Stimson, 17, of Colorado Springs in 20:42.

In the women's 5K, Rochelle Persson (43, Colorado Springs) took the win and set a new age group (40-44) record with a run of 21:02. She wasn't planning to race in the Rescue Run, but she found herself at the starting line anyway.

"I had to run," she said. "I couldn't stay away."

Persson, who will run for the Colorado Running Company in 2011, plans to compete in the 15-race Colorado Runner Racing Series and perhaps claim one of the top spots in the overall master's division.

Dianna Trillo (15, Colorado Springs, 23:49) was second in the 5K, followed by Kaleigh Kreoker (13, Colorado Springs, 23:58).

In the 10 K races, Colorado Running Company's Connilee Walter charged to the win with a 43:40. She said the cold was tough, but the running conditions were pretty good for Jan. 1 in central Colorado.

"It was a little icy and a little cold, but actually most of the trail was exposed," Walter said. "It was a good way to start the New Year. I had no expectations, I know it's a tough course. I was giving it as much as I had today."

Tracy Thalen (31, Colorado Springs) was second in 45:57, followed by Sarah Guhl (18, Colorado Springs, 48:28).

In the men's race, Peter Maksimow of Manitou Springs charged to the win in 36:44. He said there were some slick spots, but he "let it go and didn't try to hold back on the downhill."

"I'm doing some marathon training now, so it was a good test to see how the body would feel with something faster," he said.

He plans to compete in the Austin Marathon on Feb. 20.

Joe McDaniel (28, Colorado Springs, 37:00) was second. Daniel Castenada (26, Colorado Springs, 37:59) cruised home in third place 37:59.

The race was a fund raiser for El Paso County Search and Rescue.