PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — More than 40 racers filled the river and roadways around Presque Isle on Saturday, thanks to the return of the Aroostook River Fun Run.
Although canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID19 restrictions, people were as excited as ever to sign up for the canoe/kayak, bicycle or walk/run 5K, according to event organizer Ginny Joles of the Presque Isle Rotary Club.
With rain and wind picking up just after the 10 a.m. start time, paddlers had to work extra hard to stay on course as they raced from Thomas Brewer Park in Washburn to the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club.
The weather did not deter volunteers, friends and family members from cheering on racers, nor did it keep racers from finishing.
“It was a fantastic day,” Joles said. “We are grateful to all the volunteers who helped make this event successful.”
Organized by the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary Clubs, the Aroostook River Fun Run raised funds for the Aroostook House of Comfort and Aroostook Veterans Alliance. This year’s event was dedicated to Janet Durgin, a founding member of the House of Comfort and Veterans Alliance, who died in 2021.
The race results are as follows:
Double Canoe
Recreational Adult — Dave Conley and Tammi Matula of East Grand, 1 hour, 30 minutes, 21 seconds.
Experienced Adult — Fran Cyr of Caribou and Nicole Ward of Presque Isle, 1:22:12
Recreational Teens — Lucas Potter and Cameron Davis of East Grand, 1:40:21
Single Canoe
Experienced Adult — Jim Park of Presque Isle, 1:18:10.
Single Kayak
Recreational Adult — Justin Bell of Perham, 1:28:46.
Recreational 50s+ — Leo Rossignol of Washburn, 1:46:34.
Recreational Teens — Lillian Espling of Perham, 2:35:57.
Bicycle (non-timed event)
Recreational Adult — Karen and Jeffrey Allen of Waterville.
Running
Experienced 20s — Angus Hackett of New Jersey, 25:20.
Experienced 50s+ — Craig Reese of Presque Isle, 25:10.
Recreational 20s — Ashley Violette of Caribou, 27:20.
Recreational 30s — Jamie Guerrette of Presque Isle, 35:34.
Walking
Experienced Adult — Michele MacPherson of Easton, 51:42.
Experienced Teen — Caitlyn MacPherson of Easton, 53:40.
Recreational 20s — Molly Kingsbury of Presque Isle, 34:16.
Recreational 30s Female — Lauren Anderson of Virginia, 55:00.
Recreational 30s Male — Zach Amnott of Mars Hill, 1:02:40.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — May 21, 2022 — Fran Cyr of Caribou (second from left, holding puppy Amelia) and Nicole Ward of Presque Isle (second from right) accept the award for the Double Canoe Experienced category after the Aroostook River Fun Run on Saturday. Presenting Cyr and Ward with their awards are Washburn Rotary Club member Hollie Umphrey (left) and Presque Isle Rotary member Floyd Rockholt. (Courtesy of Presque Isle Rotary Club)
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Leo Rossignol of Washburn (middle) accepts the award for Single Kayak Recreational 50+ after the Aroostook River Fun Run on Saturday. Presenting Rossignol with his award are Washburn Rotary Club member Hollie Umphrey (left) and Presque Isle Rotary member Floyd Rockholt. (Courtesy of Presque Isle Rotary Club)
