At the one-mile mark of Wiscasset Parks and Recreations’ FitCLASS Challenge Four-Miler Road Race & Walk on Saturday, Tracy Verney of Newcastle laid a rose for her father, Wallace Leeman. He died one year earlier, to the day. Before the race, Verney spray-painted an anchor where the flower would go in honor of the lifelong fisherman.

“Dad loved the outdoors. So I like to run outdoors,” she said.

Verney, 55, wore an anchor necklace in the race for the same reason. Her sister, Kelsey Leeman of Bath, also wore one. She turned out in support with her golden retriever rescue Cullen, curly from a fresh bath. The dog gave out face licks to attendees as Leeman awaited Verney’s arrival at the finish line at Wiscasset Community Center.

On the fourth mile, Verney laid a second rose, that one for their mother Carolyn Kelsey, who died four years ago.

“This just feels very much a day full of life, and honoring,” Leeman said at her sister’s side.

Also as planned, Verney sprinted to the finish. “And that’s for me,” she said, laughing, before the start of the race. Verney was among several of the event’s participants who had taken Wiscasset’s first, eight-week FITclass Challenge class that led up to the race.

The crowd outside the center cheered each finisher Saturday; 5K Sports Race Management provided the times.

Wiscasset Middle High School junior Brandon Goud, 16, was first across the line in 24:38, a personal best. “Definitely a first. It feels great,” he said.

Other finishers interviewed said they were feeling good, among them Westport Island’s Pat Smith. She finished 36th of 36 but finished it as she started it 72 minutes earlier at Wiscasset Middle High: with a ski pole in each hand and a smile. Get the scar on the knee, she told a reporter taking pictures.

Smith, 59, had knee surgery in December.

The day’s strong breeze cut both ways, according to participants. At times they were heading into it, which upped the challenge; at other times it was at their backs, being a help.

And the temperature was perfect, Smith’s husband Dick Tucker said. He, too, took the class and completed the race that looped from Route 27 to Foye and Dickinson Roads, Willow Lane, Churchill Street and Route 27 again. In an awards ceremony afterward, Tucker and the rest of the class received certificates of achievement.

Crooker Construction loaned the town orange traffic cones for the race course, Parks and Recreation staff said. Wiscasset All Sports Boosters raised money selling burgers, hot dogs and potato chips. Wiscasset police, fire and ambulance personnel all helped Saturday. Both town ambulances were on-site throughout the race. There were no injuries except for a paper cut Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza got handing out certificates. The wind caused it, he said. The cut was bleeding, so he wouldn’t shake any more hands, he told attendees.

Instructing entrants before the start of the race, Souza noted that Willow Lane is very windy, so they should keep their heads up for any cars leaving driveways. He said a water stand and a medic would be stationed at the end of Dickinson Road; and Cedric Maguire, one of the class’ instructors, would be going back and forth on the course on a bicycle and could answer any questions. A ribbon of laughter started in the semi-circle. Yes, they could ask for a ride on the handlebars, Souza said.

The center will hold the class and the race again in the fall, Souza said. He told the first class he couldn’t be more proud. “From where we started eight weeks ago, it’s outstanding,” he said of the progress.

Alna’s Barbara Baston said the class had her feeling stronger. Verney said Maguire’s encouragement helped her. She improved from being able to run two miles to six by the class’ end.

“It really is an excellent class. The people just really enjoy each other and support each other,” Verney said.

Nancy Wyman, spring water bottle in hand after the race, said: “This is my year for turning sixty and for trying new things.” She was tired but felt good, she said.