CELEBRATION, Fla. — Eight women endured rain downpours and gusty winds Saturday night to battle for the top spot in the Women's Boom Run at ESPN's Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge.

But when the skies cleared and the rain ceased it, only Mandy Erdmann's blazing time mattered.

Erdmann's time of 15.05 seconds in the finals clenched the gold medal, edging Abby Hoeschler's run of 15.07.

	Kicking it into gear after the turn, Mandy Erdmann took Boom Run gold.

The win secured Erdmann's fourth gold medal in the Women's Boom Run. It was the 23-year-old's second consecutive top title in the event. Erdmann and Hoeschler were deadlocked from the start, but Erdmann pulled away after rounding the stanchion on the second dock.

The Minneapolis, Minn., resident said she typically finds her speed after the turn. "I'm always faster on the way back. I tend to start a bit more conservatively so the logs don't turn as much. But as soon as I hit the second dock, I'm ready to kick it into that sixth gear," she said.

The event was originally scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start, but it didn't begin until after 8:30 p.m. because of heavy rains. Erdmann said she was nervous when the start time approached and believed she benefited from the delay.

"I just talked it over with my family in the café as we looked at the storm. And I just told myself, 'You've worked too hard to not win it now.'"

Erdmann says she'll use her $10,000 prize money to attend an accelerated nursing program at the University of Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Abby Hoeschler of LaCrosse, Wis., fell only two one-hundredths of a second short of her second gold medal in the Boom Run. She settled for the silver for the second consecutive year. Abby's sister, Lizzie Hoeschler, 22, won the bronze medal in the consolation round. It was her first medal in the event.

Final standings

1. Mandy Erdmann, Minneapolis, Minn.
2. Abby Hoeschler, LaCrosse, Wis.
3. Lizzie Hoeschler, LaCrosse, Wis.
4. Maggie Bulk, Hermosa Beach, Calif.
5. Shana Martin, Madison, Wis.
6. Jenny Atkinson, Stillwater, Minn.
7. Tanya Fischer, Hudson, Wis.
8. Katie Rick, Onalaska, Wis.

The Games will be aired on ESPN and ABC Sports July 13-17, 2005. Click here for the broadcast schedule.