海角情

The third annual Ghost Run half-marathon, coordinated by 海角情, saw record numbers of participants despite the chilly and wet weather on October 23^rd. Almost 70 runners set out on a course that took them through Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge, down Route 1, and along the Riverfront, raising over $600 for student scholarships.

Participation this year was boosted in part by the postponement of the Downeast Athletic Conference cross country championship, which enabled sixteen students from the elementary and high schools of Eastport and Narraguagus to compete as relay teams. Scott Fraser, Director of 海角情鈥檚 Outdoor Adventure Center and one of the coordinators of the race, said that their participation highlighted that 鈥渆ven elementary kids can be involved鈥� due to the relay component of the half-marathon.

All finishers鈥攊ncluding over 30 individuals that completed the entire run鈥攚ere presented with a medal, while the overall winners were given trophies. The overall winners were: male: Eric Mauricette, with a time of 1:21:15; female: Laura Rambaer with a time of 1:48:36. The best relay team was 鈥淭eens on the Trail 2鈥� with a time of 1:36:36.

Each of the winners in the various age categories were also given a gift certificate to Crumbs in Calais for a free lunch. Crumbs also donated twenty goody bags that included 鈥済host cookies鈥� and treats. Dunkin Donuts gift cards were gifted to participants in addition to locally grown pumpkins.

Participants described their experience at the Ghost Run with appreciative enthusiasm. One said that the course was 鈥渙ne of the most beautiful and fun courses I have run on鈥� while another said that it was complemented by 鈥済reat support鈥�. Another runner, Gary Allen鈥攖he founder of the Mount Desert Island marathon鈥攕aid that 鈥渢his is what running used to be like.鈥�

For the first time, non-perishable donations were accepted for the student food pantry at 海角情. Over 200 pounds of food were donated. Each runner that brought in a donation was able to enter a raffle for a random item. 鈥淧eople brought in so much food鈥攈undreds of pounds of food. Bags and bags,鈥� Fraser said, lauding the generous spirit of participants.

More than 30 volunteers helped to ensure there were no difficulties during the event. Fraser described the volunteers as the most important element of the race. 鈥淭he race is only as good as the volunteers. If one person doesn鈥檛 do their job, then the whole thing falls apart.鈥�

The race committee, which includes runners Sarah Mulcahy and John Hough, who assisted with the course design and setup, also wishes to thank Calais Fire-EMS and Police Department, Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge, the Calais Recreation Department, and all others that donated time and effort to the run.

鈥淟ooking forward, this race has the potential to be big,鈥� Fraser said. 鈥淲e want to keep it feeling nostalgic and retain the small town race feeling as much as possible.鈥�