HOULTON, Maine — A small group of just seven runners turned out Saturday morning for the 38th annual Snow Run as part of the Moosestompers winter carnival weekend.
The hearty group of runners had to brave slippery road conditions after Friday’s storm dropped more than a foot of new snow. Teanne Ewings was the top finisher, completing the 5-kilometer course in 22 minutes.
Participation in the winter road race has waned in recent years, but it is something officials hope to turn around again.
“I suspect the poor weather leading into the weekend kept some runners at bay, with concerns for race conditions and travel,” organizer Chris Rines said. “I’m hoping to get the race to its actual 40th anniversary and if we can turn around attendance in the next few years, hopefully it can keep going on after that.”
The race got its start back in 1982 when it was held at Katahdin High School. During the mid-1990s, the race was not held for a couple of years, but was revived and has been a staple of the Moosestompers winter carnival ever since.
“It has drawn large crowds in its early and mid years but recently, due to a multitude of factors, (participation) has dwindled quite a bit,” Rines said.
The full list of results from Saturday’s run are as follows: 1, Ewings, 22:00; 2, Bob McHatten, 25:46; 3, Sarah Williams, 27:00; 4, Angela Ewings, 27:01; 5, Jamie Guerrette, 35:48; and 6, Johanna Johnston, 38:33.
Brent Bailey was the lone walker in the two-mile event, crossing the finish line at 31:46.
All of the participants received hand-made medals.
