Run to Win

Update: All of the results for races I knew about are now accounted for, as well as the results for a race I hadn’t previously been aware of. There were at least 4561 people who finished a road race on Wednesday.

It is the Fourth of July today, one of the more popular days for a road race in the country. Here is a short recap of the Bridgton Four on the Fourth, the L.L. Bean 10k in Freeport, the York Four on the Fourth, the Winthrop Friends on the Fourth 5k, the Walter Hunt Memorial 3k in Brewer-Bangor, the Kennebunkport Goose Rock Beach 5k, and the Around Mount Desert Island Relay. Updates will appear as I find the results for each race, and I may add more races that I was not aware of, such as the Thomaston 5k.

The first race is the Bridgton Four on the Fourth. This is the one that I decided to run, and the weather was absolutely perfect for a fast, short race on a course with plenty of shade. Erik Stanley broke 20 minutes for the first time in quite a few years, winning the race in 19:57. Carry Buterbaugh ran just over 6 minute pace to win the women’s race in 24:08 on her first attempt at the course. There were 1411 finishers, about 30 shy of last year’s numbers. (Full Results – Photos)

The York Four on the Fourth was won by the local Anthony Balkier in a time of 20:52. The women were led in by Kelsey Smith in 26:50. There were 780 finishers, a healthy growth over last year. (Full Results)

The L.L. Bean 10k in Freeport was won by Ethan Hemphill in 32:33, half of a minute faster than his winning time from last year. Emily Levan had a strong showing to win the women’s race in 36:15, almost a minute faster than second-place Sheri Piers. Joan Samuelson fell back about a minute from last year’s winning time and was the fifth woman to finish. The race grew quite a bit this year, with nearly 200 extra finishers from last year to bring the total to 711. (Full Results – Race Video)

The Kennebunkport Goose Rock Beach 5k was won by again by Mike Griffin, running 6 seconds faster than last year with a winning time of 15:51. He was 50 seconds ahead of second place; a slightly smaller lead than he had last year but still a commanding one. Christine Reaser also repeated last year’s performance, finishing in 18:26. There were 644 finishers, about 30 less than last year. (Full Results)

The Walter Hunt Memorial 4th of July 3K in Brewer/Bangor was won by Steven DeWitt in 8:37. Hilary Maxim led the women in 10:54. Both runners won by less than 10 seconds. There were 490 finishers this year. (Full Results)

The Winthrop Friends on the 4th 5k was won by Gabe Rivard in a speedy 15:07. The women were led by Donna Harriman in 18:31. The race increased by over a third this year, with 407 finishers! That is some huge growth. (Full Results)

The Thomaston 5k was won by Mike Hersom in 19:07. In fourth place over all, Caity Tully won the women’s race in 20:41. There was also a 1 mile kid’s race which was won by Abby Hersom and Keenan Hendricks in 6:33. There were 89 finishers in the 5k, and 58 children in the 1 mile race. (Full Results [5k only] – News Story – Video [start line] – Winner Photo)

The Around Mount Desert Island Relay consisted of 9 teams, 8 of whom finished. The race is comprised of teams of 8 people each, although 11 people ran at least 2 legs of the race; 3 of those 11 ran 3 legs. Team Mules, from Maine, set a course record of 6 hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds. Crow Athletics was a little over a half hour behind them in 6:52:23. Each team was given a Barbie or Ken doll with a matching bib to use as a baton. There were 68 legs of the race completed by 54 people. (Full Results [pdf])

There were at least 4561 people who finished a road race in Maine today.

The results for the New England Mile are available and are now online. The official press release is copied below. The race was a great time, and I am looking forward to it again next year. The race was twice the size of last year’s field, and it is very exciting to see that sort of growth.

Overall Results | Top Ten Males & Females | Top Ten Masters M/F
Age Group Results | Father/Son Team Results | Father Daughter Team Results

June 17th, 2007
Portland, Maine

The organizers of the KeyBank New England Mile got what they wanted when Pat Tarpy shattered the 4 minute barrier running 3:54 and collecting the $1,500 prize sponsored by The Downeast Group at Smith Barney, to lead a pack of 5 talented Mainers who all ran 4:05 or better.

“I’m still keyed up from Tarpy’s performance,” said an elated Pete Bottomley, Key Bank New England Mile director. “I expected Pat to be fast but I was surprised that he broke the 4 minute barrier by such a large amount. It was inspiring to watch.”

The lead packed came through the quarter mile in 56 seconds. 20 seconds later Tarpy surged to the front and was never really challenged. He led through the half mile in 1:56 and was running strong and smooth at the ¾ mile marker that he passed in 2:56. With 30 meters to go and the crowd going nuts Tarpy eased back a little and took a moment to wave to the crowd.

Ayalew Taye, who will attended Georgetown University in the fall, finished second in 4:02 followed by Gabe Rivard in 4:03, Jeff Caron in 4:04 and Louie Luchini in 4:05.

“We had truly amazing performances in all age group and gender categories with over 300 people running the race. I think we’ve hit our mark and I hope this race will continue to go and become a Father’s Day tradition,” exclaimed Bottomley. “We already have a commitment for equal award money for the female runners next year. Claudia Camargo shattered the women’s record running 4:27 which equates to a sub 4 mile for men. I would love to be able to reward a woman with the same amount of prize money that the men receive for that type of performance.”

For race results go to www.newenglandmile.com

For more information and interviews contact:

Pete Bottomley
207-807-1133

The Downeast Group at Smith Barney has come to the rescue of the New England Mile and is sponsoring the sub-4:00 minute mile prize of $1500 this year. Jeff Caron and Gabe Rivard are signed up to help bring Louie Luchini through in under four minutes. Top female master Zofia Wieciorkowska (1 mile PR of 4:41) and high school all-American Ayalew Taye (4:08.50 at the 2007 Nike National High School Track Meet) in will also contribute to a very fast field.

More about the race was included in today’s press release:

The Historic KeyBank New England Mile
June 12th, 2007
Portland, Maine

The 3rd annual KeyBank New England Mile will be held on Father’s Day June 17th at 9:00 am on Congress Street in Portland, Maine.

“This year is destined to be an historic run”, said Pete Bottomley the Director and Founder of the race. “Our goal has been to have the first Maine native break 4 minutes in the mile on Maine soil. This year we are extremely fortunate to have Louie Luchini flying in from Portland, Oregon to run. He is healthy after having Achilles surgery injury and he is excited to have this opportunity to continue his positive impact on Maine’s rich running history. The Downeast Group at Smith Barney also came through to sponsor a $1,500 prize to the first runner to break the 4 minute barrier”

Luchini is arguably the greatest high school and collegiate runner ever from the State of Maine. In high school he was a 14 time individual state champion and a 2 time finalist at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

At Stanford University Luchini was an 11-time All-American in track and cross country. At the time of his graduation Luchini held the Stanford school record in the 5000 meters at 13:25 and was one of the schools most accomplished runners.

Louie will be joined on the starting line by former University of Maine stars Gabe Rivard and Jeff Caron. Rivard, from York, recently ran a 3:48 1500 and Caron, from Auburn, is ready to run in the 4:05 range. Both runners are focused and ready to push the pace to help Luchini make history.

“ We have also added a father/son and father/daughter division to the race to encourage kids to exercise’, announced Bottomley.” The first 50 father / child teams will receive a $10.00 Friendly’s gift certificate just for entering. With the distance being one mile they will get an opportunity to run without being overwhelmed, see a talented field run and eat some ice cream. I can’t think of a better way to expose kids to exercise!”

Proceeds for the Key Bank New England Mile will benefit Easter Seals of Maine.

For more information contact:

Pete Bottomley
207-807-1133

More information can be found on the race’s website at: http://www.NewEnglandMile.com

Here is a quick breakdown of races this Fourth of July. I’ll cover the Bridgton Four on the Fourth, the Freeport L.L. Bean 10k, the York Four on the Fourth, the Kennebunkport Goose Rocks Beach 5K, the Winthrop Friends on the Fourth 5k and the Sebec Village Fourth of July 5k.
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