Mon, 06/24/2024 - 01:11 pm

Bisi Cameron Yee

Unfazed by the rain, a group of younger runners start off at a sprint during the kids’ leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. The family friendly event catered to all ages and several racers even walked or ran the course with strollers. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Runners line up in the rain for the 10 kilometer leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Staggered starts included a 10K, 5K, and kids’ run. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Tilly, a 2-year-old rain-drenched Border Collie, poses with the official Edgecomb birthday sign after being the last participant across the finish line during the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Tilly successfully completed the 10K leg at a leisurely pace of approximately 1 hour and 34 minutes. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Perry Lebreton of Milford crosses the finish line to win the 10K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Lebroton timed his run at 37 minutes, 22 seconds. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Forrest Carver cheers on runners during the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Carver, a volunteer firefighter as well as a member of the town’s 250th birthday committee, spearheaded the organization of the race. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Megan Kelly, left, and Leonie Dewaele, right, give a lift to 5K winner D.J. Kelly after all three participated in the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. The three Boothbay Harbor residents were among 54 runners undeterred by the morning’s weather. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Brianna Buzzell, left, high fives Michael Maxim after finishing the 10K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Buzzell said she had not planned to run, but came after she was signed up for the race by a friend. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Maura Nicholson wishes the Town of Edgecomb a happy birthday after finishing second in the 5K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Perry Lebreton holds up a sign wishing the town a happy birthday after winning the 10K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Lebreton said he has been running since 1988 and estimates that he’s logged half a million miles in his lifetime. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

D.J. Kelly passes an aid station on his way to take the top prize for the 5K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Volunteers helped man three aid stations along the course to provide water and assistance as needed. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Breckton Buzzell, 6, races for the finish during the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Buzzell came in second in the kids' run. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Zach Blanchard, left, and Abigail Estes, second from left, receive an enthusiastic greeting from family members as they complete the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Ellen Verge, left, and son Jacob, 11, smile after opening a prize bag that included locally made pottery after finishing the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Jacob placed third in the 5K leg of the race. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Runners line up in the rain for the 10 kilometer leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Staggered starts included a 10K, 5K, and kids’ run. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Perry Lebreton of Milford crosses the finish line to win the 10K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Lebroton timed his run at 37 minutes, 22 seconds. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Maura Nicholson wishes the Town of Edgecomb a happy birthday after finishing second in the 5K leg of the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

Breckton Buzzell, 6, races for the finish during the Edgecomb 250th Birthday Road Race on June 22. Buzzell came in second in the kids' run. Bisi Cameron Yee photo

The town of Edgecomb celebrated the halfway point of its year-long Semiquincentennial with a rain-drenched road race on Saturday, June 22. More than 50 runners braved the weather to participate in the 10K, 5K, or Kids Run that followed a scenic route along Cross Point Road.

Perry Lebreton of Milford came in first for the 10K, with Jessica Sutras of Boothbay Harbor taking the top spot for female runners. 

D.J. Kelly of Boothbay Harbor won the 5K with Maura Nicholson close behind. Eleven-year-old Jacob Verge of Edgecomb was the first under-18 runner to cross the finish line, placing third overall in the 5k. 

Lebreton, who finished the 10K with a time of 37 minutes, 22 seconds, is an experienced runner who enjoys 10Ks and particularly enjoyed Edgecomb's, despite the rain. “It was awesome, the rolling roads and just the view,” he said. “The weather wasn't nice but it felt good running.”

The free event was spearheaded by the town's 250th Birthday Committee member Forrest Carver. Cross Point Road provided a scenic route with rolling hills. Runners passed the Singing Meadows Preserve, two working farms, and Carver’s favorite spot by Modockowando Trail where a dip in the road provides glimpses of the Sheepscot River. “That  little valley down by the water is really beautiful,” Carver said. There was also what Carver called “a pretty brutal hill” leading up to the turnaround for the 10K. “…It's a little punishing (with) lots of little false peaks so I knew people weren’t going to love that,” he said.  Indeed, runner Victoria Foust was not a fan of that section of the race but displayed a philosophical attitude after successfully completing her run. “Every time you go up, you come back down,” she said about running in hilly terrain. 

Carver said the town was able to produce the race at minimal cost thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers and prize donations from the local business community.

Tindal & Callahan Real Estate of Boothbay Harbor donated the cost of providing T-shirts designed by Cross Point Road artisan Laurel Averill. The shirts, which featured Fort Edgecomb’s 19th century block house flanked by stylized pine trees, were given to every runner and volunteer.

Prize bags for the winners included maple syrup from Sweetwoods Farm, pottery pieces from Sheepscot River Pottery and Edgecomb Potters, and items from Bath Cycle and Ski and Mid-Maine Millwork. Blanchard’s Creamery donated ice cream certificates for the kids run.

The Edgecomb Fire Department was instrumental in setting up the course, providing water stations and radios along the course, and serving up hot dogs and popcorn at the finish line. The Edgecomb Community Church offered its parking lot and facilities to the runners.

The extensive group effort made for a fun day for all, and although the race was planned to be a one-time event, runners are already looking forward to returning next year. “Given how little it cost to put it on and the enthusiasm of the volunteers,” Carver said “I would definitely leave the door open for doing it again.”