Spring running season kicks off at UMPI
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — “Keep going and don’t slow down.”
These words were on repeat in PJ Gorneault’s mind as he moved toward the finish line Saturday at UMPI’s 36th annual Spring Runoff.
The Caribou resident was the first to finish the 5K run in support of the university’s track team.
But Gorneault says he was surprised by the win.
When he woke up sick the morning of the race, Gorneault didn’t think he’d run.
But when he made it to the finish line with a time of 16 minutes and 52 seconds, Gorneault says he felt great, especially with his two sons, age 2 and 4, there to cheer him on.
“I heard them that last couple of steps,” he says.
For 16-year old Grace Graham, the overall female winner of the race, it was the words of her track coach running through her mind as she ran.
Graham, a member of the track team at Greater Houlton Christian Academy, says the hill-filled course was a challenge but after two years of training she was able to finish the 5K in 20:47, good for 14th overall.
“It feels great,” Graham says of the win. “It really makes me proud of all the training I’ve put in.”
UMPI track coach and race director Christopher Smith agrees the course isn’t an easy run.
“I remember that sound,” Smith said as the short quick breaths of runners were released at the finish line.
George Ferland and his son, also named George, ran the race and both agree the route isn’t always easy on the legs.
“It was hard, especially on the uphills and downhills, the beating of your legs,” says the younger Ferland, a fifth grader warming up for track tryouts, “If you stop for one second, it feels like your legs are on fire.”
While all runners agree the course is tough, the Ferlands agree the race is a great way to kick off the spring running season.
Making up the overall top 10 after Gorneault were, in order of finish, Sully Jackson of Wilton, 18:04; Isaiah Brown of Houlton, 18:12; Jason Bartley of Presque Isle, 18:19; Evan Desmond of Caribou, 18:33; Mitchell St. Peter of Caribou, 18:39; Bradley Burlock of Caribou, 18:58; Chathu Karunasiri of Caribou, 19:35; and Trevor Levesque of Presque Isle, 20:11.
Marie Beckum of Caribou was the second-place female finisher with a time of 21:43, taking 21st place in the overall standings. Kayla Buck of Mapleton (22:27), Kimberley Wright of Mapleton (22:37) and Sue Fox of Presque Isle (22:54) rounded out the top five for women.
A total of 83 runners participated, along with eight walkers. Peggy Campbell of Fort Fairfield was the first walker to cross the finish line, doing so in 44:38.
Age division winners were Teagan Ewings of Houlton, 14-and-under female; Jeremy Stone of Houlton, 14-and-under male; Madeline Gudde of Caribou, 15-18 female, Brown, 15-18 male; Buck, 19-29 female; Jackson, 19-29 male; Beckum, 30-39 female; Jared Drake of Houlton, 30-39 male; Angela Ewings of Houlton, 40-49 female; Joe Ewings of Houlton, 40-49 male; Wright, 50-59 female; Bruce Clark of Houlton, 50-59 male; Connie McLellan of Cross Lake Township, 60-69 female; and Steve McDonald of Houlton, 60-69 male.
The only relay team consisted of Teanne Ewings of Houlton, Sadie Thompson of Cary Plantation and Emmalyne Drake of Houlton. Their time was 24:50.
The next County Challenge Series race, the S.W. Collins Company 5K, will be held in Caribou June 19.
