CARIBOU, Maine — City officials announced last week that they would be kicking off the Caribou Marathon, a local event in which competitors can qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Registration for the race opened on Dec. 1 and will close on Sept. 1, 2016.
The race itself is 13.1 miles long, and starts at the Caribou Wellness Center, where racers rush through back roads and then back into Caribou, eventually returning to the Wellness Center.
Chris Bernier of Sub 5 Race Management will be race director for the event, and put in hours of work measuring distances in order to certify the race as a Boston Marathon qualifier.
“This is going to be the most northeastern Boston Marathon qualifier in the United States,” said Caribou Marketing and Event Coordinator Lydia Kieffer. “We’ll be running a full marathon, a half marathon, relays of the full, relays of the half, and a kids’ run. The races will be Sunday, Sept. 18 in 2016. The Caribou Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Therefore, if you meet the qualifying time in Caribou, you directly qualify for the Boston Marathon.
“Aside from the running portion of the event, we will have a pre-race exposition, a dinner on Saturday the 17th. A street festival will take place during the race, featuring a live band, food, and craft vendors, similar to the Thursdays on Sweden Street events,” she added.
This event, she explained, will benefit the city of Caribou by bringing people together regionally and locally. The city is partnering with a number of organizations to help get the event off the ground. Kieffer stated that the names of these organizations “will be revealed at a later date.”
Top male and female athletes will receive a $500 cash prize and those who qualify for the Boston Marathon will receive a special medal. In addition, all participating racers will receive a goodie bag for participation.
Caribou City Manager and Race Committee member Austin Bleess believes this event will have a positive impact not only on Caribou, but on Aroostook County and northern Maine as well.
“Being able to have a Boston Marathon qualifier event is huge,” said Bleess. “It’s going to attract racers not just from our area, but from around the state, Canada, and elsewhere. My hat’s off to Lydia and this venture. I’m looking forward to seeing the great results that come from it.”
“This is pretty exciting, as a marathon runner, it’s great to have something in our own backyard,” said 2011 Maine Marathon winner and Caribou resident Evan Graves.
“We train on these roads and often times have to travel a little distance for races. To have something right here is going to be great for the community. The economic impact is amazing when you talk about marathons. People come and they have to stay and eat. Certainly, it will put Caribou on the map and help some businesses out,” he said.
Kieffer led everyone at the press conference in a countdown to opening registration.
Racers interested in signing up can do so by visiting www.runsignup.com and typing “Caribou Marathon in the search field. Tickets for the Marathon cost $60, Half Marathon tickets are $55, Marathon Relay tickets are $25, Half Marathon Relay tickets are $20, and Caribou Kids Run tickets are $25. Ticket prices are set to increase on January 31st.
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