HOULTON, Maine — A small, but dedicated group of runners and walkers honored fallen soldiers and emergency responders Saturday at the annual Wilderness Walk for Warriors’ Honor Rocks 5K road race.
“Thank you to everyone who came out today,” said Chris Robinson, event organizer. “It is a solemn day. I thank each and every one of you for coming out to support the families of these service members and supporting the Wilderness Walk for Warriors.”
The Wilderness Walk for Warriors is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who are dedicated to assisting veterans, service members and, or their families; as well as honoring Maine fallen heroes.
The 5K serves as a prelude for the group’s upcoming hike of the Appalachian Trail. Each year in July, Wilderness Walk for Warriors forms a team that hikes a total of 120 miles through the 100 Mile Wilderness (Monson to the top of Mount Katahdin). Team members raise funds through pledges and various fundraising events. In turn, the funds raised are used to directly assist veterans, service members and their families.
The half-marathon portion of the race was dropped this year, so that a greater focus could be placed on the ceremony prior to the start of the 5K race.
“It was five years ago this summer that the idea for the Wilderness Walk was formed,” Robinson said. “Our motto ‘Assisting the living and honoring the deceased’ still rings true. That is what we try to do with every event and all that we do.”
“It is your loved one’s sacrifice which has brought us all here today,” said Jonathan Kelley of CompetitorME, who served as the official timers for Saturday’s race. “Memorial Day started as a tribute after the Civil War and in 1971 was finally recognized as a federal holiday. We all know this is not a happy holiday. We remember loved ones today and every day through our actions.”
Matthew Savage, 33, of Sherman bested a field of 23 runners as he completed the 5-kilometer course through Houlton in 20 minutes 32.6 seconds.
Results for the remaining runners are as follows: 2, Justin Little, 22:56.9; 3, Kiley Henderson, 23:59.9; 4, Andy Young, 25:28.9; 5, Evan Lewis, 26:26.6; 6, Brett Carey, 28:52.9; 7, Melissa Carey, 28:53.1; 8, Brent Bailey, 29:40.2; 9, Holly Bouchie, 30:14.4; 10, Dave Bates, 31:51.9; 11, Dayna Cummings, 32:03.3; 12, A. Young, 37:07.6; 13, Dottie Pinkham, 39:21.2; 14, Marilyn Carey, 39:22.7; 15, Christine Henderson, 45:27.7; 16, Timothy Young, 48:41.8; 17, Chris Robinson, 48:44.3; 18, J. Bishop, 49:20.0; 19, A. Emery, 50:06.6; 20, Richard Chasse, 52:28.4; 21, Michelle King, 54:16.9; 22, Bill Emery, 55:59.2; and 23, Lorna Harris, 56:03.6.
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- A small group of runners head out at the start of Saturday’s Wilderness Walk for Warriors’ Honor Rocks 5K road race in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr)
