Yesterday morning was the Craig’s Cup 5k. The race also doubled as the Maine USATF championship cross country race. The results were a little late getting up. It was an absolutely beautiful day to run, with race temperatures in the low 40s. In the sun, it was very comfortable; the breeze and the shade made it a bit chilly but not too cold to need anything to warm you up during the race. The course was very soft; there was some mud on the trails in spots but it did not stick to your racing shoes. The grass was a bit damp but not enough to get into your socks. In other words, it was a course made for a good pair of spikes.

Ethan Hemphill outsprinted series winner Mike Payson to win the race in 16:33. All of that soft ground did not lend itself to fast times. Pete Bottomley was a distant third a minute later in 17:47, and scored 2^nd place for the series as a whole. Dirigo’s runners were then split up by Chris Gatchell (17:59) and TJ Hesler (18:18) from the PR Moose Milers racing team. Myself and Peter Hall rounded out Dirigo’s scoring for the men’s race.

Sheri Piers won the women’s race in 19:41, a very strong 5k only 6 days after coming in second place at the Maine Marathon. She must have been reading through the archives here at Run to Win; I ran a 5k 3 days after my last marathon in about the same time. Susan Weimer placed second in 22:35, which got her first place for the series.

(Full Results – Race Photos)