County Open half marathon to be run on August 11

    The County Open Half marathon will be held in Island Falls on Saturday, Aug. 11, starting at 8 a.m.
    For a race form go to www.countyopen.com or e-mail race director/organizer John Walker at jswalkerinc@gmail.com. Proceeds go toward the Health Services Foundation at Houlton Regional Hospital. 
    In the 20-plus years of the County Open events, nearly a half million dollars has been raised for the foundation.
DOUBLE RUNNERS — Evan Lewis, left, and Lee-Rae Oliver both run the Island Falls Summerfest race, as well as the County Open.
    There is $1,000 in cash prizes plus door prizes of more than $2,000. The half marathon may be run as either a two-person or four-person relay team for those who do not want to run the 13.1 miles. The course is primarily flat with a few rolling hills.
    Participants may pre-register or register the day of the race. The starting point is at the Island Falls Municipal Building, which is easily found by taking exit 276 off I-95 and proceeding through town. There will be numerous water stations and plenty of refreshments following the race.
    “Each year since the race has been in Island Falls, the number of participants has steadily increased; we are planning for 100 runners this year, as folks come from all over the county, the country, and Canada to compete,” said Walker. “We look forward to seeing the regulars plus lots of new faces this year.”