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Mark your calendars! We are planning a club run and social on Saturday, March 12. We'll meet in Hallowell at noon, go for a short run, and then have some food & drinks at the fire pits at Maine Local Market. (If there's enough interest, we could also organize for a long-run group to meet earlier)
Email us at run@centralmainestriders.com by Monday, March 7 since we need to make a reservation for the fire pits.
We hope to see you there!
Email us at run@centralmainestriders.com by Monday, March 7 since we need to make a reservation for the fire pits.
We hope to see you there!
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A quick note from Mark Fisher, who is coordinating our team for the Mount Washington Road Race this year:
Good day Central Maine Striders
As I write this the lottery for the 61st Mt. Washington Road Race is well underway. This unique running experience is one that will create a lifetime of great memories. Clearly a challenging course this year with "just one hill"!
The team has historically had 5 bibs from the organizers and provided 5 volunteers to support the effort. This year, we are being asked to help out with the parking on Friday, June 17th from 4-8 pm. With the move back this year to a single day race for all, they have aligned volunteers to cover the Saturday event. We have a long standing history of participation in this event and participation and volunteer support keep that viable.
Please reach out to me if you have interest in running this year or can help with our volunteer efforts. I can, when applicable, forward registration information.
Mark Fisher 603-340-1987 or MarkFisher3340@gmail.com
Please reach out to Mark if you are interested, so we can keep the tradition of the Striders being involved at this iconic race alive!
Good day Central Maine Striders
As I write this the lottery for the 61st Mt. Washington Road Race is well underway. This unique running experience is one that will create a lifetime of great memories. Clearly a challenging course this year with "just one hill"!
The team has historically had 5 bibs from the organizers and provided 5 volunteers to support the effort. This year, we are being asked to help out with the parking on Friday, June 17th from 4-8 pm. With the move back this year to a single day race for all, they have aligned volunteers to cover the Saturday event. We have a long standing history of participation in this event and participation and volunteer support keep that viable.
Please reach out to me if you have interest in running this year or can help with our volunteer efforts. I can, when applicable, forward registration information.
Mark Fisher 603-340-1987 or MarkFisher3340@gmail.com
Please reach out to Mark if you are interested, so we can keep the tradition of the Striders being involved at this iconic race alive!
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By Heather Cable
On January 16th, 21 runners returned for the first [in person] January Thaw since 2020! As runners lined up at the starting line, temperatures were just starting to rise above 10 degrees F. Just a typical winter day in Maine, so no problem!
The race starts at Belgrade Elementary School and travels in a loop briefly on route 27 then turning on to Manchester Rd where runners tackle a series of hills varying in size. A group of runners surged to the front at the start of the race including the men’s first place finisher, Elijah Caret (25:42). As the runners turned onto Manchester rd we became more and more spaced.
As we neared the mile mark, I could already feel the cold and hills setting into my legs and knew to hang back from the pack a bit. After having been sticking to the treadmill for most of the winter and struggling to determine how to dress for such a chilly race, I wasn’t surprised to be feeling it. When we approached mile 3, there was a steady down hill which felt great and gave you an excellent view of the road to come. At that point, I could taste the finish and was starting to feel warm again. I started to push it to the finish line and finished first female in 32:52 with Matthew Meader right behind me in 33:13. The finishers stuck around to cheer for many of the other runners rolling in.
The January Thaw was my first race as a Strider and I’m excited to participate in more runs as a part of this group. The race was certainly not the easiest, but it was likely my coldest! It gives runners a great starting point to the new year and some insight into what areas to work on for upcoming races. (I know I came away with some notes!) While it may be chilly/hilly, it was a fun time! I recommend it to anyone in the area.
Excellent work to all the runners who came out! Thank you to all the volunteers and David Colby Young for the photos!
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Thanks to all the runners and volunteers who showed up to this race when the temperature at the start was around 11 degrees!
Race photos, courtesy of David Colby Young @ Maine Running Photos, can be found at this link:
2022 CMS Jan Thaw 4.5 Miler Race Photos
Race photos, courtesy of David Colby Young @ Maine Running Photos, can be found at this link:
2022 CMS Jan Thaw 4.5 Miler Race Photos
RESULTS:
All photos provided by David Colby Young / Maine Running Photos
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We recently asked club members what their greatest running accomplishments of 2021 were. Here's what our club members accomplished this past year:
Derek Huffman: "I ran my first races since high school (20 years) this year. I broke my 42-minute goal for the Fall Classic 10K by finishing in 6th place with a time of 41:41. Jessica, June (7), and Wade (3) Huffman, ran their first races (ever!) in the Quarry Road Summer Running Series. We look forward to many more races in the coming years!"
Amy Stabins: "My greatest accomplishment in 2021 is competing in the TUCARD race. It was in an area I'm unfamiliar with, with people I didn't know, and as I get older I get less and less competitive (ie, I'm likely to come in last...). But the race looked like so much fun and I'm so glad I did it!"
Harold Shaw: "Very simply, to still be running and being healthy enough to run. It seemed that the first half of 2021 was devoted to various injuries and that the older you get the longer it takes for those things to heal so you can do what you love. Now, to get comfortable enough to get back to racing and life will be good again. 😊"
Karl Foss: "My Greatest 2021 running achievement was running 13 miles of the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay. I ran 6.3 miles starting around 11:30 at night and 6.7 miles starting around 6:30 in the morning. I trained hard for it and with the pandemic going on, it was really emotional."
Patrick Guerette: "I had some really great experiences this year; first 100mi, Mt. Washington, Jay Peak 53.1k... but getting an actual win at the Strider Fall Classic, was my first race win in a while. Also, I'd like to add/share that my wife [Kristina Guerette] ran Boston 9 weeks postpartum, I am sure she would love the recognition :-) "
Martha Nadeau: "The Downeast Sunrise Trail Relay: an overnight relay race, 100.7 miles Ellsworth to Eastport. I had relegated this to my 'love to, but I am not good enough to do' list. Glad it didn't stay on that list! My team was awesome and this race was more than I could have imagined. Running in the middle of the night, with only moonlight and a headlight to guide me along the trail in the woods, often being the only person around. So proud of myself and my whole team for not only finishing, but coming in under the expected time."
Laurel King: "My greatest running accomplishment of 2021 was the Mt. Washington Road Race. My time wasn't anything to brag about, but I actually had fun running those 4,650 vertical feet."
Ryan Goebel: "After more than two years of not being able to race due to injury, I returned to racing and even surprised myself on how well I ran in several races, including the Flight Deck Half Marathon, Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k, Save Your Breath 5k, and Millinocket Marathon. It feels great to be back to running regularly and being able to compete."
Beth Bridger: "The best thing that happened in my running world this year was finding a whole bunch of new friends who are just as passionate about running as I am. As much as I love running my body tells me I need to back off. So I'll be volunteering and cheering and telling everyone about the joys of running. One of the best days I had in 2021 was interacting with the Thomas College track & field team during a fundraiser. Seeing the impact that the sport and their coaches have on these athletes reminded me that I absolutely need to continue to be involved with runners and trackies. Here's to a new year a new adventures in running."
Drew McCormick: "I would have to say my biggest (also longest) accomplishment of 2021 was competing in my first marathon at the Maine Marathon held in Portland,ME. I had never experienced the amount of community and passion around the event and the sport of running, I simply found it fantastic."
Susan Brooks: "My greatest running achievement is every day that I lace up my shoes and get out the door. This year has been particularly challenging as I’m coming to terms with ever-slowing runs and races and the need for more time to recover. After fifty (50!) plus years of running I’m learning to cross train with a goal of more rounded fitness that will keep me healthy and injury free as I run on into each decade. It’s still one run at a time and each is an achievement. I did finish 3rd in my age group at the Millinocket Half (290/939 overall)"
Thanks to all of the Striders who sent us their running achievements from this past year. And thanks to all of the Central Maine Striders members, both in this article and not, for making 2021 another great year for the club. We're looking forward to running into the new year with all of you!
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by Ryan Goebel
Strider President Ryan Goebel very briefly ahead of three former Millinocket Marathon champions -- Rob Ashby, Sarah Mulcahy, and Ryan Collins. (Photo by "Photography by Mike" -- pbmike.com)
The Millinocket Marathon might not be Maine's fastest or most competitive marathon, but it's probably the most famous. Race director Gary Allen started the race in 2015 as a way to help support a Maine community that has struggled since the closing of its mills. Inspired by the ethos of the Burning Man Festival, Allen came up with the innovative idea to make the marathon free to all runners, but with the tacit agreement that they spend money at the shops, restaurants, and hotels in Millinocket and the surrounding area. The inaugural 2015 race, which was only promoted through Facebook, attracted 6 finishers in the full marathon and 42 in the half marathon. Runner's World wrote an article about the first year's race, and the race has continued to grow and attract runners from around the country since then.
Back in 2015, I wasn't living in Maine and had never heard of Millinocket, but I remember seeing that Runner's World article and being intrigued about running this free marathon in a strange, exotic locale known as Millinocket. Lo and behold, a couple years later I found myself moving to Maine. I signed up for the half marathon that year, because a full marathon in the winter in Maine is just too crazy (right?), but my job at the time had other plans and decided to send me out of state that weekend so I couldn't run it. I ended up running the Santa Hustle Half Marathon in Portland the weekend before instead. Although it was cold, it wasn't Millinocket cold. Also, running in the area around the Maine Mall wasn't near as scenic nor fun as running the Golden Road in Millinocket.
I signed up for the Millinocket Half again in 2018, because a full marathon in the winter in Maine is just too crazy (right???) and I was running the New York City Marathon that November. Well, my overconfidence in how many races I could run in one year eventually caught up with me. About a month before New York, I started feeling some pain in my hip/groin area. I still ran the New York Marathon, but had to pull out of the Millinocket Half.
In 2019, I didn't even sign up for Millinocket because I was still injured.
In 2020, I was still struggling to recover and get back into shape from that injury. Also, there was a pandemic raging across the world with no vaccines, so the Millinocket Marathon and Half was cancelled.
In 2019, I didn't even sign up for Millinocket because I was still injured.
In 2020, I was still struggling to recover and get back into shape from that injury. Also, there was a pandemic raging across the world with no vaccines, so the Millinocket Marathon and Half was cancelled.
Enter 2021. I was slowly getting back to running on a regular basis again. Covid vaccines had entered the world. Although I had a series of freak non-running injuries over the summer, myself and the world were slowly returning to racing. I ran in a few of the Quarry Road summer races and the Doc & Mardie 5k. I wasn't running fast, but I was running. I signed up for the Mount Desert Island Marathon as my "big comeback goal race", but then it was cancelled in early September due to concerns regarding the strained medical and emergency services in the area. I immediately signed up for the Millinocket Marathon.... the FULL marathon. As previously stated, running a full marathon in northern Maine in December is crazy. However, with my return to racing, I really, really wanted to finish a marathon before the year ended. I no longer cared about how cold it was going to be or how challenging the course was going to be. For the first time when running a marathon, I wasn't going to care so much about what my finish time was going to be, rather just that I finished.
Fast forward to December. I'm still not injured and my training really started clicking in the last month or two before the marathon. I'm ready. I have no idea what my goal marathon pace is, but I'm ready.
Fast forward to December. I'm still not injured and my training really started clicking in the last month or two before the marathon. I'm ready. I have no idea what my goal marathon pace is, but I'm ready.
While taking advantage of the warming station and bag check at the Elk's Lodge prior to the race, I ran into fellow Strider Rob Krickus who had broken his glasses that morning but was still planning on running the half while semi-blind. I left the Elk's Lodge about 10-15 minutes prior to the marathon start, a luxury that I'd never had in all of the big marathons I'd run previously. Temperatures were only in the teens, but it was sunny and I had plenty of adrenaline pumping through me to keep me warm. On the way to the start line, I saw Ron Peck warming up for the half, had a quick chat with him, and then also saw Julie Millard and Alicia Wilcox getting ready for the half.
Rob Krickus runs up the Golden Road sans glasses. (Photo by Kevin Morris)
Standing at the start line while the national anthem was being sung, the cold (and nerves) started getting to me and I began shivering. Once the cannon went off to signal the start, I ran out with the opening pack trying to warm my body up. My fingers were especially cold and my toes were numb, but I was excited to be back to running a marathon. Relatively quickly, I fell into roughly 12th place. In my mind, I was running a slightly faster pace than I felt like I should be running, but I just wanted my body to warm up. It took close to five miles until I could fully feel my toes.
Normally in a marathon, you don't have to constantly think about where your feet are landing and what the footing is like; however, the Golden Road is effectively frozen dirt and an ice storm went through the area two nights before the marathon. As veteran Strider and Millinocket runner Julie Millard pointed out, "It was the first time I’ve ever raced in Yak Tracks. The conditions on the Golden Road were either the worst I had experienced or it just got inside my head. I was pretty freaked out."
Despite the frozen toes and icier-than-normal road conditions, running up the Golden Road that first time is pretty magical. There's the beautiful view of snow-covered Mount Katahdin and a surprisingly large number of spectators and volunteer water stops along the way.
By the time I got to the turn off the Golden Road just after Mile 6, the magic was starting to wear off. Having already climbed over 500 feet, I was ready for the downhill part of the course. Also, by this point, I was solidly alone in the race. The nearest runners ahead and behind me were at least 30 seconds in either direction. Heading back towards town on Millinocket Road, it was great to be back on pavement, even if there were still a lot of icy patches. However, there were suddenly way less spectators and water stations. It was lonely out there and although this section of the course is "net downhill," there are still significant uphill portions.
Soon before town, I was caught by surprise when the first of the half marathoners passed me (they had started ten minutes after the full marathon start). I didn't try to keep up with him or the next couple half marathoners that passed, but was nice to have someone up ahead that I could see. On one of the hills closest to town, my left calf muscle started tightening up. "Oh no, I'm not even half way," I thought to myself. The calf muscle tightness went away almost as quickly as it had begun, but the thought of it stayed in the back of my mind. I was briefly distracted from those thoughts as I ran down Penobscot Avenue through the center of town. I did my best to soak up the energy of the cheering spectators along the street.
Normally in a marathon, you don't have to constantly think about where your feet are landing and what the footing is like; however, the Golden Road is effectively frozen dirt and an ice storm went through the area two nights before the marathon. As veteran Strider and Millinocket runner Julie Millard pointed out, "It was the first time I’ve ever raced in Yak Tracks. The conditions on the Golden Road were either the worst I had experienced or it just got inside my head. I was pretty freaked out."
Despite the frozen toes and icier-than-normal road conditions, running up the Golden Road that first time is pretty magical. There's the beautiful view of snow-covered Mount Katahdin and a surprisingly large number of spectators and volunteer water stops along the way.
By the time I got to the turn off the Golden Road just after Mile 6, the magic was starting to wear off. Having already climbed over 500 feet, I was ready for the downhill part of the course. Also, by this point, I was solidly alone in the race. The nearest runners ahead and behind me were at least 30 seconds in either direction. Heading back towards town on Millinocket Road, it was great to be back on pavement, even if there were still a lot of icy patches. However, there were suddenly way less spectators and water stations. It was lonely out there and although this section of the course is "net downhill," there are still significant uphill portions.
Soon before town, I was caught by surprise when the first of the half marathoners passed me (they had started ten minutes after the full marathon start). I didn't try to keep up with him or the next couple half marathoners that passed, but was nice to have someone up ahead that I could see. On one of the hills closest to town, my left calf muscle started tightening up. "Oh no, I'm not even half way," I thought to myself. The calf muscle tightness went away almost as quickly as it had begun, but the thought of it stayed in the back of my mind. I was briefly distracted from those thoughts as I ran down Penobscot Avenue through the center of town. I did my best to soak up the energy of the cheering spectators along the street.
Hearing all of the cheering as I turned the corner to begin the second lap was perhaps the most exciting part of the race. But this excitement was very short lived, as there's a pretty steep hill as the course crosses some railroad tracks and heads back out of town towards the Golden Road. This hill hit me like a brick wall. Suddenly, everything hurt. I was only halfway through the race, and I was started to wonder how I was going to finish. Running back onto the Golden Road, it was obvious that most of the spectators and water stops that were there on the first lap had already packed up and were gone. Even the water stations that were still there felt much less energetic. The course really felt lonely now, and I was having a hard time maintaining my pace. My slowest mile of the race was mile 16, about halfway up the Golden Road on the second lap. It was probably around this time where I started passing half marathoners who were walking the course. Normally, I get annoyed at having to pass walkers on a course, but this time I was just happy to have other people around me.
Lap 2 on the Golden Road. The ice beard cometh. (Photo by Kevin Morris)
As I approached the end of the Golden Road, I passed a full marathoner for the first time since the opening miles. This gave me a huge energy boost and I passed another as we ran under the inflatable archway that the Army National Guard volunteers had set up at the top of the Golden Road. Neither of those guys ever caught back up with me.
Back on pavement, I lost count of how many body parts were hurting. I couldn't wait for the race to be finished, but the only way for it to be finished was to keep running. Passing half marathoners who had obviously taken advantage of the free shots of Fireball along the way provided me with brief moments of needed entertainment. As I passed, one of them said, "Dude! Nice ice beard!" Hadn't this guy ever seen a bearded guy get a frosted beard while running in the winter? Eventually, I'd realize that my "ice beard" wasn't your standard frost beard.
Back on pavement, I lost count of how many body parts were hurting. I couldn't wait for the race to be finished, but the only way for it to be finished was to keep running. Passing half marathoners who had obviously taken advantage of the free shots of Fireball along the way provided me with brief moments of needed entertainment. As I passed, one of them said, "Dude! Nice ice beard!" Hadn't this guy ever seen a bearded guy get a frosted beard while running in the winter? Eventually, I'd realize that my "ice beard" wasn't your standard frost beard.
By Mile 25, I just wanted the marathon to be over. This point in a marathon has always been painful, but I've never wanted one to end so badly as I did when I ran down the short, but very steep hill just before Mile 26.
Someone (possibly Martha Nadeau) yelled "Go Striders!" to me a couple blocks before the finish. I gave it everything I had going towards the finish line.
Someone (possibly Martha Nadeau) yelled "Go Striders!" to me a couple blocks before the finish. I gave it everything I had going towards the finish line.
Martha Nadeau and her santa cat pants at the start of the half marathon. She says that her favorite part of the race was when she "was slogging up the back side of the rolling hills, feeling just horrid, when behind [her] comes the first woman marathon runner. First, she compliments [Martha's] (fabulous santa cat) pants and then gives a smile and encouraging words as she cruises by." That's the magic of Millinocket! (Photo by "Photography by Mike" -- pbmike.com)
For me, it was weird crossing the finish line in a smaller marathon like this. There's no giant chute that takes several minutes to emerge from. I crossed the finish line, someone handed me a bottle of water, and I was free. I opened that bottle of water and took a couple of sips as I stumbled around the finish line area. It hurt to walk, but I knew I had to make my way back to the Elk's Lodge to get my bag. As I walked back very slowly, my arm stated hurting from carrying that bottle of water. Truly every part of my body gave everything it could in this race. But I did it. I ran another marathon. It hurt, but felt so good.
My official finish time was 3:12:47, my slowest marathon since my first one in 1999. But, it might be the finish that I'm most proud of. There were times over the last few years when I thought that I may never finish a marathon again. And, especially considering the tough course and conditions, my time was actually pretty good. I finished 9th place overall and achieved a Boston qualifying time for my age. Everything hurt, but it was good.
My official finish time was 3:12:47, my slowest marathon since my first one in 1999. But, it might be the finish that I'm most proud of. There were times over the last few years when I thought that I may never finish a marathon again. And, especially considering the tough course and conditions, my time was actually pretty good. I finished 9th place overall and achieved a Boston qualifying time for my age. Everything hurt, but it was good.
Upon re-entering the Elk's Lodge, another person made a comment about my ice beard. After sitting down inside, I took out my phone to take a selfie and see what my ice beard looked like before it melted too much. At this point, I realized why my ice beard was getting comments. I had a couple icicles hanging from it that looked like a couple of horns. It was definitely the best looking ice beard that I've ever sported.
I think Strider Martha Nadeau summed up the experience perfectly: "This is the Best Worst race ever. While the course itself is challenging, cold, and depressing; the warmth and excitement from the spectators, aid station, and other runners is absolutely amazing!"
I think it took me close to 3 hours (and an order of French fries, potato chips, cheeseburger, and two Cokes) to get enough energy to make my way out of the Elk's Lodge and onto the shuttle bus back to my hotel.
I think Strider Martha Nadeau summed up the experience perfectly: "This is the Best Worst race ever. While the course itself is challenging, cold, and depressing; the warmth and excitement from the spectators, aid station, and other runners is absolutely amazing!"
I think it took me close to 3 hours (and an order of French fries, potato chips, cheeseburger, and two Cokes) to get enough energy to make my way out of the Elk's Lodge and onto the shuttle bus back to my hotel.
Ice beard selfie back at the Elk's Lodge.
If you ever decide to run Millinocket (which I recommend that you do), don't forget that there's also the Crankle 2k the night before (where participants are encouraged to run in costume). I couldn't make it this year since I had to attend an online class at the same time, but I've heard from Julie Millard, Martha Nadeau, and others that it's a lot of fun. Also, shopping at the craft fair and all of the businesses in town before and after the race is well worth it.
Millinocket isn't the easiest marathon or half marathon, but it is perhaps the most magical. After all, Millinocket has the nickname of "The Magic City."
Alicia Wilcox approaching the finish of the half marathon (Photo by Kevin Morris).
Striders Erzsie Nagy, Ron Peck, Alicia Wilcox, and Julie Millard ready to run.
Ron Peck running down the final stretch of the half marathon (Photo by Kevin Morris).
Full Marathon:
Half Marathon:
Sorry if we missed any other Striders in the results. Full results for all runners are found here.
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Report by Ryan Goebel with photos by Ron Peck.
On the first Saturday in November, forty-five runners and several walkers showed up to the Kennebec Valley YMCA to run the Save Your Breath 5k. The race, which follows the Kennebec Rail Trail to Gardiner and back, is an annual fundraiser for the Free ME From Lung Cancer nonprofit organization, which is headed up by our club secretary Deb Violette.
On the first Saturday in November, forty-five runners and several walkers showed up to the Kennebec Valley YMCA to run the Save Your Breath 5k. The race, which follows the Kennebec Rail Trail to Gardiner and back, is an annual fundraiser for the Free ME From Lung Cancer nonprofit organization, which is headed up by our club secretary Deb Violette.
Several Striders were amongst the runners who showed up to race, including Ryan Goebel and Erzsie Nagy who placed 1st male overall and 1st female overall, respectively. First place netted each of them $100 cash. Other Striders racing that day included Julie Millard, Alicia Wilcox, Jason Gredlics, Martha Nadeau, Rick Stuart, and Mary Jordan. It was great to not only see everyone out there running, but that so many of you were wearing Striders gear!
After the race, many of the Striders happily headed to Bateau Brewing in Gardiner for the awards ceremony and some tasty "recovery drinks".
A giant thanks and congratulations also goes out to Deb Violette for putting on an excellent fundraising race! And, special thanks to Ron Peck for staffing the Central Maine Striders table at event.
After the race, many of the Striders happily headed to Bateau Brewing in Gardiner for the awards ceremony and some tasty "recovery drinks".
A giant thanks and congratulations also goes out to Deb Violette for putting on an excellent fundraising race! And, special thanks to Ron Peck for staffing the Central Maine Striders table at event.
Full race results can be found here.
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by Amy Stabins
TUCARD- Maine’s most Terrifically (& Unnecessarily) Complicated Adventure Race and Duathalon. The race announcement came across my Strider’s FaceBook feed late last December and something inspired me to click through to see what they meant by ‘complicated’- and I was not disappointed. In that post, interested participants were provided with a map that had the ‘Shadow of the Sparkle Pony’ laid across it, and told that the race would take place within that shadowed area- there is no official route. The rules were this- racers must use at least two forms of transportation, and time adjustments would be made based on the mode chosen and whether or not the racers were on pavement or gravel/trail. In the months leading up to the race, GPS coordinates for the start and stop points would be released. And shortly before race day the GPS coordinates for three way points would be sent out.
I am not super competitive, but I enjoy a challenge. TUCARD is a race, a puzzle, and a scavenger hunt all in one. My first challenge was getting to know the area- I had never been to that part of Maine before. In the months leading up to the race I made five trips up to Orono and ran or biked most of the conservation areas and pocket parks within the Pony’s shadow. Thirteen hours before the start time I received the email with the way points, and one additional rule- The boglands running through the race area were designated The Bog of Despair. Every minute spent in the BOD would add ten minutes to the official time. I planned out what seemed like the logical course to follow, loaded up the bike, and headed up to the race.
At the starting line it quickly became apparent either my fellow racers were planning some epically misguided routes, or that I had missed scouting some crucial areas. It was too late to re-think my plan, so I forged ahead. My route took me across the BOD three times…
I arrived at the finish line in 1 hour 29 minutes, more or less in the middle of the pack. However, my adjusted time was 9 hours and 20 minutes, almost 5 hours behind the next ‘slowest’ racer! Crossing the BOD three times really hurt me. And I won the title of ‘Lost Dog’, the racer who covers the most miles (10.32)!
This might have been the most fun I’ve ever had racing- I can’t wait for next year!
Check out the TUCARD website for more information-
https://www.marshislandtrailrunners.org/tucard
TUCARD- Maine’s most Terrifically (& Unnecessarily) Complicated Adventure Race and Duathalon. The race announcement came across my Strider’s FaceBook feed late last December and something inspired me to click through to see what they meant by ‘complicated’- and I was not disappointed. In that post, interested participants were provided with a map that had the ‘Shadow of the Sparkle Pony’ laid across it, and told that the race would take place within that shadowed area- there is no official route. The rules were this- racers must use at least two forms of transportation, and time adjustments would be made based on the mode chosen and whether or not the racers were on pavement or gravel/trail. In the months leading up to the race, GPS coordinates for the start and stop points would be released. And shortly before race day the GPS coordinates for three way points would be sent out.
I am not super competitive, but I enjoy a challenge. TUCARD is a race, a puzzle, and a scavenger hunt all in one. My first challenge was getting to know the area- I had never been to that part of Maine before. In the months leading up to the race I made five trips up to Orono and ran or biked most of the conservation areas and pocket parks within the Pony’s shadow. Thirteen hours before the start time I received the email with the way points, and one additional rule- The boglands running through the race area were designated The Bog of Despair. Every minute spent in the BOD would add ten minutes to the official time. I planned out what seemed like the logical course to follow, loaded up the bike, and headed up to the race.
At the starting line it quickly became apparent either my fellow racers were planning some epically misguided routes, or that I had missed scouting some crucial areas. It was too late to re-think my plan, so I forged ahead. My route took me across the BOD three times…
I arrived at the finish line in 1 hour 29 minutes, more or less in the middle of the pack. However, my adjusted time was 9 hours and 20 minutes, almost 5 hours behind the next ‘slowest’ racer! Crossing the BOD three times really hurt me. And I won the title of ‘Lost Dog’, the racer who covers the most miles (10.32)!
This might have been the most fun I’ve ever had racing- I can’t wait for next year!
Check out the TUCARD website for more information-
https://www.marshislandtrailrunners.org/tucard
- Published on
Photo by David Colby Young.
Thank you to all of the runners, volunteers, and sponsors who made the 2nd annual Central Maine Striders Fall Classic 10k a success!
Patrick Guerette, Men's Overall Winner (photo by David Colby Young)
Elizabeth Young, Women's Overall Winner (photo by David Colby Young)
Ryan Goebel, Men's Masters Winner (photo by Alicia MacLeay)
Dana Anderson, Women's Masters Winner (photo by David Colby Young)
Race Co-Directors Ryan Goebel and Kate Scott (photo by Jim Kirby)
Raul Ramirez, Janet Stocco, and Arne Koch battle it out to the finish (photo by David Colby Young)
Kate Scott and Beth Bridger (photo by Jim Kirby)
Julie Millard leads a pack down Lloyd Road (photo by Alicia MacLeay)
Tom and Lynda McGuire (photo by Jim Kirby)
Jim Moore crosses the finish line to the applause of everyone (photo by David Colby Young)
David Benn out on the course (photo by Alicia MacLeay)
Ron Paquette and Donnajean Pohlman helping out wherever help is needed (photo by Jim Kirby)
Line of legends: Ron Paquette, Tom McGuire, Jim Kirby, and David Colby Young (photo by Alicia MacLeay)
There are sooo many great photos from the race, but unfortunately we can't post them all here. Please check out more photos from our race photographers:
David Colby Young @ Maine Running Photos
Central Maine Striders Alicia MacLeay and Jim Kirby
David Colby Young @ Maine Running Photos
Central Maine Striders Alicia MacLeay and Jim Kirby
Special thanks to Ryan Goebel, Kate Scott, and Tom McGuire for organizing the race; Ryan Goebel and Ron Peck for marking and measuring the course; Tom McGuire and Ron Paquette for setting up the course on the morning of the race, DJ Pohlmann and Lynda McGuire for handling race day registration and lending expertise to the all important task of assembling the race results; Tom McGuire for recruiting and organizing the team of volunteers; Ian Hepburn, Ron Paquette, and Kate Scott for greeting runners, and checking them in; newcomer Jim Kirby for getting involved and helping with timing and taking some amazing photos; Beth Bridger, Shannon Delaney, Ian Hepburn, Alicia MacLeay, John Manzer, Amy Stabins, and Deb Violette for being out on the course and keeping the runners safe; Alicia McLeay for doing double duty and taking photos while directing runners on the course; Shannon Delaney for taking up the back of the pack on her bicycle; Julie Millard for arranging for the gorgeous pottery mugs for the winners; Julie Millard for arranging and donating flowers as additional lucky draw prizes; Beth Bridger for assisting with the lucky draw; Rob Krickus for keeping the club's and the race's finances in line; David Colby Young of Maine Running Photos for providing great photos of all of the runners at this event and so many other running events around the state; and Ryan Goebel for designing the t-shirts, securing donations, and MC'ing the event.
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- Published on
by Drew McCormick
The kids at the start line for the 1-mile fun run.
Lining up for the start of the 5k.
-Waking up the morning of the 16th Annual Doc and Mardie Brown 5K, as many of the participants could attest, was a strange morning weather wise. It looked as if it was going to be cool but it wasn't really (mid 70's) and it was as humid as ever. If us Mainers weren't already used to it, the weather may have been downright debilitating. There with that out of the way, on to the race!
Arriving at the Waterville Alfond Youth Center was a little different due to the construction going on in the parking lot, but there was still plenty of room. I parked and got my race bib from some very friendly volunteers, and saw the race director Patrick Guerette zooming around! I informed him I was ecstatic that he would not be able to run this race, and that it gave me a chance for the age bracket win! I then headed right over to the Central Maine Striders tent for some pre-race nerve talk with Kate, Ron, Ryan and Julie which helped as always, I was then off for some warm up miles. There were racers warming up along North Street and everyone was friendly saying good morning to one another. Just an all around great feel/vibe to the air.
First up was the kids fun run which had an incredible turn out this year and was fun as advertised! I was lucky enough to help a little bit during the race by standing on the last turn directing the kids to the finish. It was a blast seeing the expressions and determination on the kids faces as they rounded the corner for the finish line! Directly after the fun run was the main event...the 5K!
Runners started lining up along the marked area for the race start on North Street headed toward Colby College as always, however road construction prohibited pedestrians from passing along the normal route. Patrick, the fearless race director (mentioned earlier), mastered the art of the pivot and laid out a new dynamic course which incorporated the trail along the Messalonskee stream behind the Alfond Youth Center. As the racers were lining up at the start the mood was light and jovial, Patrick said a few words thanking the sponsors, volunteers and participants then we were off!
Ron Peck and I charged out head-to-head as we bobbed and weaved through the pack from North Street onto the trail. The low light level in the trail due to the cloud cover made it a little extra difficult to navigate through the roots and frost heaves in the pavement but it was a neat change to the sudden and extended uphill start of the normal 5K race route.
Once we hit the road the race seemed to kick up a notch in speed, (Ron pulled ahead!) there is something about being in the open air and out of the tree cover. A fairly quick uphill on Edgemont Ave, then a long turning downhill from West St. onto Gilman St. made up the route until you hit the N Riverside Drive neighborhood where you made a short uphill loop. Just before the entrance to the neighborhood is where I made my glorious passes of Connor Pellerin and Ron Peck!
The plan was then to boogie back to the Alfond Youth Center by way of North street where you made a glorious finish under the big blow up finish line arch! I am happy to say the plan worked and I came in 2nd place with an official time of 18:57! After I caught my breath for a few I was able to socialize again and cheer on friends and other fellow participants.
The event flowed very smoothly with awards being distributed immediately after the race. The amount of prizes this year was spectacular with there being about 50 participants, a lot were reaping the benefits of their hard work! All in all this is a fantastic race regardless of the course layout. It has a real "hometown" feel as one of the racers, Andrew Catalina, said to me and that's why I personally like it so much. I hope this race continues to grow, if you were on the fence about racing this event in the past have no fear this is a fantastic event that skips all the "tude" and focuses on the FUN! See you at the 17th Annual Doc and Mardie Brown 5K! (PS: Don't forget all Striders get a discount on the race fees!)
(Full results from the 2021 Doc & Mardie 5k can be found here: https://my.raceresult.com/177915/results)
Arriving at the Waterville Alfond Youth Center was a little different due to the construction going on in the parking lot, but there was still plenty of room. I parked and got my race bib from some very friendly volunteers, and saw the race director Patrick Guerette zooming around! I informed him I was ecstatic that he would not be able to run this race, and that it gave me a chance for the age bracket win! I then headed right over to the Central Maine Striders tent for some pre-race nerve talk with Kate, Ron, Ryan and Julie which helped as always, I was then off for some warm up miles. There were racers warming up along North Street and everyone was friendly saying good morning to one another. Just an all around great feel/vibe to the air.
First up was the kids fun run which had an incredible turn out this year and was fun as advertised! I was lucky enough to help a little bit during the race by standing on the last turn directing the kids to the finish. It was a blast seeing the expressions and determination on the kids faces as they rounded the corner for the finish line! Directly after the fun run was the main event...the 5K!
Runners started lining up along the marked area for the race start on North Street headed toward Colby College as always, however road construction prohibited pedestrians from passing along the normal route. Patrick, the fearless race director (mentioned earlier), mastered the art of the pivot and laid out a new dynamic course which incorporated the trail along the Messalonskee stream behind the Alfond Youth Center. As the racers were lining up at the start the mood was light and jovial, Patrick said a few words thanking the sponsors, volunteers and participants then we were off!
Ron Peck and I charged out head-to-head as we bobbed and weaved through the pack from North Street onto the trail. The low light level in the trail due to the cloud cover made it a little extra difficult to navigate through the roots and frost heaves in the pavement but it was a neat change to the sudden and extended uphill start of the normal 5K race route.
Once we hit the road the race seemed to kick up a notch in speed, (Ron pulled ahead!) there is something about being in the open air and out of the tree cover. A fairly quick uphill on Edgemont Ave, then a long turning downhill from West St. onto Gilman St. made up the route until you hit the N Riverside Drive neighborhood where you made a short uphill loop. Just before the entrance to the neighborhood is where I made my glorious passes of Connor Pellerin and Ron Peck!
The plan was then to boogie back to the Alfond Youth Center by way of North street where you made a glorious finish under the big blow up finish line arch! I am happy to say the plan worked and I came in 2nd place with an official time of 18:57! After I caught my breath for a few I was able to socialize again and cheer on friends and other fellow participants.
The event flowed very smoothly with awards being distributed immediately after the race. The amount of prizes this year was spectacular with there being about 50 participants, a lot were reaping the benefits of their hard work! All in all this is a fantastic race regardless of the course layout. It has a real "hometown" feel as one of the racers, Andrew Catalina, said to me and that's why I personally like it so much. I hope this race continues to grow, if you were on the fence about racing this event in the past have no fear this is a fantastic event that skips all the "tude" and focuses on the FUN! See you at the 17th Annual Doc and Mardie Brown 5K! (PS: Don't forget all Striders get a discount on the race fees!)
(Full results from the 2021 Doc & Mardie 5k can be found here: https://my.raceresult.com/177915/results)
Drew heading towards the finish line.