September in Aroostook County means it’s harvest time. While most folks will be busy picking potatoes, the city of Caribou will hold its first marathon. If everything goes according to plan the event might just become a new tradition.
A year ago, the idea of a marathon in The County was simply a pitch in a job interview. Lydia Kieffer was up to become Caribou’s new marketing coordinator when she shared her big idea with Caribou’s city manager of turning her city into a marathon destination.
“He liked it,” she said.
And as luck would have it, she landed the job.
Traveling to northern Maine for a run might seem a bit out of the way. But knowing that you can qualify for the Boston Marathon in your home state makes it worth the trip. If you’re familiar with Aroostook County, then you know that the gears are always turning to find new ways to bring folks into the area. A marathon might just be the ticket to draw people to Caribou, the most northeastern city in the United States.
Once she’d been given the green light, Kieffer had a year to pull things off. On top of that, she was in the midst of building a new home and planning her wedding. Having an outstanding race committee relieved some of her stress.
“I would never be able to do it if I were all by myself,” she said.
If the marathon was going to bring in hundreds of runners, her team would need a partner with experience. The committee brought in Race Director Chris Bernier. He’s been racing since he was a kid, and for the past decade has been the director for numerous marathons.
Bernier took care of getting Caribou certified for its marathon, making sure the city was adequate to be a Boston Marathon qualifier, so it could bring in those diehard runners.
“The Boston Marathon is the crown jewel,” he said. “Something you cross off your bucket list.”
After the marathon was announced, and within the first week registration was opened, over 100 runners signed up. At press time, more than 300 runners had registered for the Sept. 18th event. There’s a mix of athletes from Aroostook County, other Mainers, and folks from away, including some Canadian neighbors who plan to lace up their sneakers and hit the streets of Caribou for the first ever USATF-certified marathon in The County.
A 42-kilometer stretch will take runners through the city of Caribou. A 13.1 mile half marathon also has been mapped out, as well as relay races and a kids’ marathon. Dozens of corporate and individual relay teams are coming together to compete.
“The marathon will have a small town atmosphere with a big time professional race,” Bernier said.
Not a runner? No problem. Spectators are encouraged to gather for a street festival happening alongside the race where you can listen to live music, chow down on some good eats and support more than 70 local vendors. And the night before the marathon, there’s a pre-race pasta dinner at the Caribou Wellness Center.
The cost to put on Caribou’s marathon should come in under $100,000. All of which is 100 percent sponsored (which means no taxpayer dollars). On race day, a large portion of city employees will be on hand as volunteers to make sure folks are safe and having fun.
A portion of the proceeds from the marathon will go to Camp Adventure, a local camp for teens with diabetes. Other funds generated will go to the Caribou Parks & Recreation Foundation.
Kieffer’s leadership has brought both residents and businesses together to celebrate the city of Caribou and to remind its folks they can stay in their small hometown and still think big.
“This may be the biggest event Caribou has ever seen,” Kieffer said.
For more information on the Sept. 18 marathon visit caribouraces.com.
Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in the September 2016 issue of Bangor Metro magazine.
