PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — After a long winter, runners must have been excited to hit the roads for an organized event as they came out in full force for the April 12 University of Maine at Presque Isle Spring Runoff 5K.
A field of 123 runners, an increase of 50 from last year, showed up at the start line for the annual fundraiser for UMPI cross country and track and field programs. The dry conditions and 45-degree temperatures allowed for close to ideal racing conditions.
In the end, a runner with past success in the event captured top honors. Curtis Wheeler of Presque Isle, who owns the course record with a time of 15 minutes and 33 seconds established in 2010, took first place in 17:45.
He was followed by Chris Rines of Houlton, who was 15 seconds back in 18:00, with Justin Fereshetian of Presque Isle taking third in 18:24 and Shawn Berry of Caribou in fourth in 18:33. Rines, Fereshetian and Berry are all former UMPI cross country standouts.
Veteran runner Jeff Ashby of Presque Isle claimed the fifth position in 18:41.
The remainder of the overall top 10 included Paul Johnson (18:48), Lucas Kinney of Caribou (19:06), Trevor Levesque of Presque Isle (19:12), Alex Losieniecki of Caribou (19:30) and Bradley Burlock of Caribou (19:57).
The first female to cross the finish line was Tracy Guerrette, who was 16th overall in 20:58. She was less than a second faster than women’s runner-up Rosalea Kimball, who was one slot back. Marie Beckum of Caribou was third for females in 21:15.
Age division winners were: 14-and-under females, Libby Moreau, 24:45; 15-18, Sarah Doak, 22:06; 19-29, Beckum; 30-39, Rebecca St. John, 27:34; 40-49, Kimball; 50-59, Janice Wright, 27:25; and 60-69, Connie McLellan, 27:40.
Also, 14-and-under males, Dustin Alward, 22:40; 15-19, Kinney; 29-29, Rines; 30-39, Berry; 40-49, Ashby; 50-59, Leo Kashian, 21:30; 60-69, Larry Tonzi, 24:11; and 70-79, Art Thompson, 39:30.
For walkers, Michelle Bragdon was first in 47:18, followed by Barb Tonzi in 48:38 and Carolyn Kimball and Mitzi McKenney with identical times of 50:21.
The Spring Runoff 5K was the second in the County Challenge Racing Series. The next one is the S.W. Collins Company 5K, set for Sunday, June 22 in Caribou.
