Caribou Marathon planners,
sponsors happy with support
CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou Races, slated for Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, will feature a weekend of events including the full marathon, a half marathon, relay races of each distance, and a children’s marathon. Organizing committee members are thrilled with the level of community support the event has garnered.
“We are extremely lucky to live in a community that is so supportive,” said Lydia Kieffer, event coordinator for the city of Caribou. “Event sponsorships are always a challenge to obtain, but we have had very positive responses so far and are getting closer every day to obtaining our goal.”
The platinum, gold, silver and bronze sponsorship organizations gathered March 17. Represented organizations were Cary Medical Center, Pines Health Services, Sitel, United Insurance, Katahdin Trust Company, MMG Insurance, Machias Savings Bank, WAGM-TV and Griffeth Ford. Currently, over 25 sponsors of various levels are already lined up for this fall’s event, which will feature a street festival, exposition and dinner aside from the races.
The weekend will kick off Saturday, Sept. 17, with a pre-race exposition and dinner, which are open to the public. The dinner will include items grown in Maine and unique to Northern Maine’s heritage. The Caribou Marathon, with a USATF Certified Course — meaning one is eligible to qualify for the Boston Marathon — will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18.
Festivities will help raise money for the other activities held in Caribou, such as Winter Carnival and Thursdays on Sweden Street; a portion of the proceeds will also contribute to the efforts of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Foundation and to Camp Adventure, a summer camp for children aged 12-17 with Type 1 diabetes.
With many race distances available, everyone is encouraged to give it a try. There will be a half marathon, relay races featuring varying distances and a kids’ marathon. Relay races are popular team-building activities; groups may participate as a company, group of friends or family.
Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services have signed up as platinum sponsors.
Major sponsor Robbie Jalbert of Sitel said, “Sitel is dedicated to the success of Caribou. We are proud to be a sponsor of this amazing event. Not only does it promote healthy living, but it inspires people from all around to push themselves to achieve things that are beyond the norm. We are excited to see the economic impact this will have to our community, and the pride of the those who will get to participate.”
Rob Kieffer of United Insurance said his agency has formed a relay team and is encouraging other businesses to do the same. “Our United Insurance offices throughout the State of Maine are proud bronze sponsors of the inaugural Caribou Marathon. United Insurance congratulates all of the volunteers and community for making this first Caribou Marathon a reality. And the United Insurance Group commends all the walkers, runner and relay teams. Good luck as they train for their personal best at the Caribou Races.”
WAGM-TV representative Bernie Lagasse said, “WAGM-TV is excited about being a sponsor of this inaugural event; an event that promises to bring people from all over the country and Canada to Caribou, Maine. We wish all the best to the organizers and to all participants running in the races. Thank you to the City of Caribou for letting us be a part of an event that we think will be successful and go on for many years to come.”
“Machias Savings is committed to the communities in which they serve. Sponsoring the Caribou Marathon helps us do that, plus at the same time helps us promote a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Mike Kelley Sr., Executive Vice President of business banking.
Larry Shaw, president and CEO of MMG Insurance in Presque Isle, said, “MMG is pleased to support this event that will welcome individuals from many different areas and give us the opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of Aroostook County. All of us at MMG commend the committee for doing such great work in making this happen”.
Neal Griffeth, owner of Griffeth Ford and major race sponsor, said it’s important to the event’s success to have the public attend and welcome runners and their families and friends into the community on race weekend.
“Aroostook County has the potential to benefit from the Caribou Races greatly; bringing events of this magnitude to Caribou will eventually help retain young families and grow our communities,” Griffeth said. “A free street festival in the community will hopefully bring everyone out as will the community dinner before the race. We are happy to sponsor the Caribou Races and are looking forward to September.”
Aside from runners and sponsors, the Caribou Races are always looking for volunteers. The Katahdin Trust Company is helping spread the word to families, friends and coworkers about volunteering in the community. Peggy Smith, assistant vice president and retail services officer with Katahdin Trust Company, said, “Katahdin Trust is proud to be a part of the communities we serve and to help bring such an exciting event of this caliber to Aroostook County.”
Registration is open and can be done online at caribouraces.com.
