Gorneault, Guerrette capture blossom festival 5-mile road race victories

FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — P.J. Gorneault and Tracy Guerrette were the fastest runners in The Maine Potato Blossom Festival 5-Miler held Saturday, July 21, on one of the most challenging courses in the Aroostook County road racing scene.

The 39-year-old Gorneault, who is from Caribou, captured overall honors with a time of 27 minutes and 4 seconds. He was 2:19 ahead of runner-up Evan Desmond, also from Caribou, who logged a time of 29:23. In third place was Caleb Streinz of Hersey, whose time was 30:02, while Daniel Streinz of Hersey placed fourth in 30:14.

Guerrette, 37, was impressive in defending her title in the women’s division and placing fifth overall in the field of 53 runners. The Bangor resident and former Wisdom High School and University of Maine basketball standout finished in 30:40. Placing second for females was Gabrielle Wheeler of New Sweden, whose time of 31:15 was good for sixth place in the standings.

Stephanie Beaulieu of Fort Fairfield was the fastest walker, turning in a time of 56:42. Bill Flannery of Fort Fairfield was the first male to complete the course, doing so in 59:51.

Claiming the seventh through 10th positions in the running race were former Caribou High School runner Bryan Lamoreau (31:17), recent Presque Isle High School graduate Max Bartley (33:46), former CHS runner Caleb Chapman (35:19) and Brian Korhonen of Houlton (36:28).

Age division winners were: 14-and-under male, Luke Streinz; 14-and-under female, Kayley Bell; 15-18 male, Desmond; 15-18 female, Abigail Streinz; 19-29 male, Daniel Streinz; 19-29 female, Janelle Humphrey; 30-39 male, Lamoreau 30-39 female, Wheeler; 40-49 male, George H. Ferland; 40-49 female, Ellen Bemis; 50-59 male, Chris Streinz; 50-59 female, Anna Bernard; 60-69 male, Ed Malone; 60-69 female, Connie McLellan; and 70-and over male, Bruce Alexander.