Frazer, Nedlo much the best in their fields

Sunday was a day for work and service at the 16th annual Chicago Half Marathon & Hyundai Hope On Wheels 5K.

Thomas Frazer, 30, an Irishman living in Lake Forest, dominated the men’s side, winning in 1 hour, 7 minutes, 12 seconds. Meagan Nedlo, 29, of Salem, Mass., blitzed the women’s side with a 1:18:21 time.

It was a morning when the lake-effect showers stayed off shore, leaving a brilliant sun and temperatures to start in the 50s. But with a north wind.

“You couldn’t ask for better than today,’’ Frazer said. “But being a runner, you can always find something to complain about.’’

In his case, it was a good complaint, born of being the lead runner.

“From Mile 3-8, it was into a slight wind,’’ he said. “By yourself, the exposure is greater and it is tough to stay strong.’’

The race began and ended in Jackson Park. The bulk of the 13.1 mile course was along the lakefront north to 31st Street and back. The slower part was on the run north.

“I tucked in behind a group of guys,’’ Nedlo said. “They weren’t big and burly, but they blocked the wind.’’

The last five miles, Frazer took advantage of a tail wind and finished in a 5-minute-a-mile clip.

“I was hoping to do it a lot quicker, under 1:06,’’ said Frazer, who was fourth last year and hopes to again finish among the leaders at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon next month.

Frazer is a stay-at-home dad with daughters of 6 and 21 months with a military wife, Rebecca. She is a lieutenant in the Navy, currently at Great Lakes. He took the lead around Mile 3 and easily outdistanced Brit Scott Fraser (1:08:37) and Andy Derks of Lisle (1:10:09).

Nedlo, 29, went to the front in the first mile and just as easily bested Kristen Heckert of Lisle (1:19:54) and Chicagoan Columba Montes (1:21:13).

“I travel around [for sponsor Karhu shoe company] and was working the Expo,’’ Nedlo said. “I had a quick run and will go back to our tent and work.’’