It wasn’t exactly as cold as ice Saturday morning for the third running of the Star Flight 5-K but it was downright chilly. Still, more than hardy 400 runners braved the frosty (but calm) conditions for the scenic course laid out over both sides of beautiful Zilker Park.

And leading the way were three old guys. First, 38-year-old Andy Yaeger assumed pacing duties for the first big loop around the perimeter of the south side of the park, reaching the first mile in 5:30. Trailing Yaeger were two goldie oldies from Dripping Springs: Michael Powell and a few steps behind him, Eric Mata.

Powell, who was running his first race in quite a while, took command at about the two-mile mark on the short hills on the north side of the park and ran unobstructed over the final climb to the finish in 17:22. Yaeger was second in 17:30 and Mata finished third in 17:54.

For the 44-year-old Powell, the Star Flight was a revelation and return to racing. At one time, he had been very competitive but has hardly raced in the last few years, due in part to a compressed disc which has led to numbness in his feet.

"The only reason I even came out today was my daughter Michaela’s track meet in Dripping Springs was canceled on Thursday and she needed a workout. So we came out here to this together. I’m glad we did. It was a beautiful course."

Yaeger, the runner up, has been gone from racing even longer than Powell. The Star Flight 5-K was only his fourth race in the past 13 years. He was also an intensely competitive racer at one point—he ran a 14:26 for 5000 meters in college in Southern California—but professional demands and family responsibilities cut into his time and running became a thing of the past.

"I want to get back into it again," Yaeger said. "I’ve always enjoyed it and if I can just get some solid training in, think I can do well again."

Kenny Hausman was first old guy (50+) in 18:57 with Wish taking the really old guys (55-59) in 20:52. Gary Pickens was first in the 60+ in 31:04.

The women were led by 27-year-old Erin Madden who was an easy winner in 20:27. She was followed by 16-year-old Michaela Powell (the overall winner’s daughter) in 20:40 with ARC president Muna Mitchell finishing third in a one-second PR of 20:46. Julie Seaton, was the first woman master in 22:39 with Marcy Herzik-Ralph taking the 50-54s in 23:04.

Next Saturday week is the 31st running of the ARC’s Daisy 5-K and the first race in the Sprint series of spring road races.