The Aroostook Musterds Running Club presented awards for its County Challenge Series at the Nordic Heritage Center on Oct. 26. The club tracks athlete participation in seven county road races in determining the consistently stronger runners of all ages. Participation awards and the Aroostook Musterd Runner of the Year were also presented.
Contributed photograph
AWARDED – Brent Bailey of Houlton, center, was awarded the Aroostook Musterds Running Club Runner of the Year award. He is flanked by Chris Smith on the left and Evan Graves, right.
First and second place age group winners were: 15-18 male: Christian Sleeper and Timothy Freme, both of Caribou; 19-29 female: Tracy Guerrette (Presque Isle) and Shannon Mountain (Caribou); 19-29 male: PJ Gorneault (Caribou); 30-39 female: Rene Laliberty (Caribou); 30-39 male: Thomas Beckum (Caribou) and Steve Desmond (Caribou); 40-49 female: Linda Mountain (Mapleton) and Frances Prest (Presque Isle); 40-49 male: Jeff Ashby (Fort Fairfield) and Rob Langner (Fort Fairfield ); 50-59 female: Connie McLellan (Sinclair), 50-59 male: Steve Emery (Dyer Brook) and Brent Jepson (Caribou); 60-69 male: Don Zillman (Presque Isle); 70 and over male: Art Thompson (Limestone).
Participation awards were presented to the 10 runners completing a minimum of five of the seven series races. Running in five events were Steve Desmond, Connie McLellan, Frances Prest and Linda Mountain. Completing six events were Steve Emery, Brent Jepson, Jeff Ashby and Angela Ewings. Running all seven races were Rob Langner and Al Hanscom of Caribou.
The three major awards presented were those for men’s and women’s overall series winners and the runner of the year. Perennial powerhouse Angela Ewings won four of the seven series contests outright in clinching her 13th County Challenge championship. Alfred Hanscom won two of his seven races to take his first title.
The highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Musterd Runner of the Year award, given annually to the runner voted by his or her peers as exemplifying consistent race performances and who is exceptionally dedicated to the sport. Long-time club member, officer, promoter/race director and athlete Brent Bailey of Houlton was chosen as this year’s recipient. He was presented with the traveling trophy bearing his name and the names of all previous winners. Bailey will keep the trophy in his possession until the 2009 winner is awarded.
