This year there was also an added touch to the race. Runners were assigned a name of an American soldier killed in the recent U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The names appeared on a small label on the bottom of the runners' bib numbers.

Following the race, the rain stopped and runners met for some free beer, food, live music and camaraderie at the Endicott Estate on East Street.

The soft-spoken Meli Kemeli, who came across with a time of 29 minutes and 54 seconds, said the Ramble was his second win in America, after also winning a recent 10K race in Washington, D.C. The Dedham race was certainly not the largest-scale race he's done, but he said he enjoyed the originality of the course.

While most runners at the race competed in the Ramble for fun or personal challenge, the Kenyan said running is his career profession. The top male and female finisher at the Ramble collect $800.

Coming in second in the men's field was Adam Sutton of Providence, R.I., at 30 minutes and 7 seconds. Mark Miller of Keene, N.H., came in third at 30 minutes and 43 seconds.

Following Proulx, who had a winning women's time of 35 minutes and 52 seconds, was Christine Clifton of Winstead, Conn., at 36 minutes and 18 seconds. Brett Romano of Cambridge, at 36 minutes and 46 seconds, finished third.

The top local finisher was Lee Danforth of Dedham, who finished 20th in the male division with a time of 36 minutes and 29 seconds. Milary Burn of Westwood also did well, finishing eighth among women runners, with a time of 39 minutes and 2 seconds.

Louise Brooks, 51, of Dedham, finished second in the female 50-plus age division with a time of 47 minutes and 4 seconds.

This was Kemeli's first run in the Ramble, whereas many locals have been coming for years.

Returnees included Tricia Bannon of Somerville and Jeanie Ferreira of Newton. They said the Ramble is a great setup for them in the spring for the rest of their running throughout the year.

"It's really well-organized, and we love the readers," said Ferreira.

Many said the weather likely slowed their times down.

"At least I have an excuse," joked Andy Torchia of Somerville, who said he was disappointed with his time of 41 minutes and 46 seconds, placing him 80th overall.

TOP FINISHERS

Men: 1.) Ernest Meli Kemeli (20-years-old), Kenya, 29:54; 2.) Adam Sutton (24) Providence, 30:07; Mark Miller (28) Keene, 30:43

Women: 1.) Mary Proulx (24), Keene, 35:52; 2.) Christine Clifton (32) Winsted, Conn., 36:18; Brett Romano (26) Cambridge, 36:46.