On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of local competitors laced up their racing shoes and streaked alongside their rivals, gasping for breath, gritting their teeth, as they ferociously scratched, bit, and clawed their way past fellow contenders in their quest to be ahead of the pack.

And that was just at the malls.

For hundreds of athletes seeking a more civil route, the seventh annual Southern Village 5K (3.1-mile) and one-mile Family Fun Run road races on Sunday afternoon led local athletes o'er the hills and around the festively decked homes and stores of Chapel Hill's Southern Village development.

Missing were the long lines, the impatience, and the commerce. Instead, participants were greeted with coffee, cookies, and a Holiday spirit that even a raw, steady rain couldn't dampen.

"The weather was a challenge, but we've had a great group of volunteers, and it looks like we're getting runners," race co-chairperson Beth Patterson said Sunday.

Both the 5K and the 1-mile runs began just in front of the Weaver Street Market area along Market Street in Southern Village, winding their way around the businesses and up and down hilly neighborhoods.

Navigating the damp course first was Michael Cunningham, who cruised across the finish line in 18:25. Rick McClain (18:52) improved his 2009 time by nearly 30 seconds to finish second, and Kris Hergert (19:21) rounded out the top three places.

"It was pretty tough," said Cunningham, 17. "But I run on the Durham Academy cross-country course where you have to run up the same hill around three times. I'm happy with the race."

"It's not a good time for me at all, but I'm just happy to win a race," Cunningham said. "It doesn't happen that often."

Kim Certain (20:20) earned top honors among the female runners, with Greenville's Sara Day (22:24) in second place, and Christy Anderson (22:38) finishing third.

The races benefit the Women's Service League and its projects, including the Christmas House event, Patterson explained, estimating that the 5K and Fun Run raise between $5,000 and $10,000, making the event the largest fundraiser for the Chapel Hill Service League.

The Christmas House project provides gifts for hundreds of needy children each year.

Sunday's event saw Service League volunteers shivering side-by-side with volunteers from numerous other agencies.

Patterson credited the help of board members Mel Huey and Marion McCrary, as well as race co-chairpersons, Donna Galer and Grettel Cousins.

"Our biggest challenge this year was getting sponsorships," Cousins said. "We had some who weren't able to sponsor us, and some others downgraded, and they all stated that it was just the economy. That was our biggest obstacle this year. We did get a few new $250 and $300 sponsors."

One longtime sponsor has been Harrington Bank, which has supported the Service League's Holiday fundraising venture for years.

"A number of us, mostly from the Southern Village branch down here, are doing volunteering," Harrington Bank President Larry Loeser said. "They've been putting the bags together, supplying some items for the (giveaway) bags. They worked with the organization of the registration set-up and got the brochures printed."

"It's a great event," Patterson said. "I think all of our sponsors are proud, and we'll continue to do it."

Adding to the magic were the participants themselves, numbering nearly 200 on a miserable day for being outdoors.

Braving the elements and earning first place among boys 12-and-under was Klaas Van Kempen (21:06), while Daniel Beamer (20:09) captured the boys' 13-19 crown. Christopher Grigsby (19:34) bested the men's 20-29 field, while Andrew Petersen took the men's 30-39 division in 19:22.

Among men 40-49, it was Robert Nesbit (19:40) earning the top prize, and Mike Kelley (20:11) was first across the line among men 50-59. Rich Crooke (23:20) earned gold in the men's 60-and-older division.

For Van Kempen, 11, it was a fine finish to a full weekend of racing, which saw him competing well at the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics Cross-Country National Championships in Alabama on Saturday on entirely different terrain.

"It was really flat, and it was really sandy," Van Kempen said.

Among women, Keyera Wynn (27:12) of Greensboro was first across the finish line among girls 12-and-under, while Amelia Covington (24:00) earned first place among girls 13-19. Julie Birbilis (24:27) of Raleigh won the ladies 20-29 division, while Kristen Carmouche (22:51) stood atop the ladies' 30-39 podium.

Maria Cross (23:03) captured the women's 40-49 title, Susan Coppola (24:10) was first across the finish line in the women's 50-59 division, and Margaret Morris (37:52) captured the women's 60-and-over bracket.

"Blue Ribbon" sponsors included Duke Medicine and The Lumina. Red Ribbon sponsors included O2 Fitness, The Southern Village Club, Weaver Street Market, Universal Printing, Triangle United, Tony Hall and Associates, Panera Bread, Christ United Methodist Church, the Chapel Hill News, UniqueOrn.com, and the Chapel Hill Children's Clinic.

General sponsors included the Chapel Hill Tennis Club, Christ United Methodist Church Pre-school, the Tumble Gym, Pure Barre, The Fearrington House Inn, Fortuitous Capture Photography, and the Triangle Day School.

Next up for winners will be a holiday break, followed by high hopes for 2011.

"I'm running the Lumberton 5K in March," Certain said, "and I'll probably race some between now and then."

After a day standing in the cold rain, race organizers' plans were a little less abstract.

"I think I'll go home and take a hot bath," Patterson said.

"Now I go home, and my husband gets to cook dinner," Cousins said.

And while malls may send shoppers home with heavy bags and heavy hearts, these holiday angels left their appointed rounds on Sunday with a light spirits, toting nothing but a sense of pride.