The Bangor Daily News Charities Running Series is back for its second year with two more races and a category for overall winners.

The series, which featured eight races last year, is up to 10 with the addition of two 10-milers, the Tour du Lac in Bucksport on June 29 and the Hancock County Lobster Classic in Hancock on July 27.

Chuck Morris, the series coordinator, said two races were added to offer longer distances for runners and to attract more participants to the series.

“The series last year was geared toward the speed demons on the road-race circuit,” said Morris, president of the Sub 5 Track club of Bangor-Brewer, which oversees the series.

“Our objective is not to favor certain races, but to add a couple of races for better balance,” Morris said.

The series participation increases not only with the addition of two races, but also because the qualification for winning one of the categories remains the same – a runner must compete in five of the 10 races.

Last year, a runner had to also compete in five races, and that factor may have kept some participants away because it was difficult to schedule five of the eight races. This year, a runner will have two extra races to obtain the five-race qualifier.

The overall category will enable the series to recognize its two best runners. Some runners questioned the omission of the category last year and it will be a welcome addition this year. The names of the overall winners will be added to plaque annually at the NEWS office.

The BDN Charities likes sponsoring the series because nine of the 10 races donate their proceeds to charitable organizations and also because the races touch many of the NEWS readers, explained Eloise McLaughlin, president of the BDN Charities.

“(The series) touches so many young people and older ones, too. It reaches into a wide area of our readers,” she said.

The series opens with the Terry Fox 5K Run on May 5, with Epstein’s Five Aces Road Race (5K) on May 12.

Rounding out the schedule are: June 29, Tour du Lac; July 4, Bangor-Brewer 3K; July 27, Hancock Lobster Classic; Aug. 10, Schoodic Point 15K; Aug. 17, Blueberry 5-Miler, Machias; Sept. 28, Kingfield 10K; Oct. 13, Aspirations 10K, Orono; and Nov. 24, Brewer High Turkey Trot (5K).

The series received a positive response from runners last year as a total of 2,125 competed in the eight races. It offers extra incentive for runners to participate because they like the opportunity to prepare for a series of races rather than individual events during the road racing series.

“I think the series is good for the running community,” Morris said. “I see the series as a trigger as keeping road racing alive in this area.”

One of the problems the series faced last year was conformity of age groups in all races. Although the BDN Charities sponsors the series, each race has its private sponsor, which can determine its own age groups.

Morris said he hopes to talk with the race directors and obtain the age-group conformity. The series age-group divisions are: 13 and under, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and over.

Moshe Myerowitz and Philomena Baker Myerowitz, Bangor’s nationally successful racewalkers, will return to national competition on Saturday when they compete in The Athletics Congress National Masters Track and Field Championships.

The husband-and-wife duo will each compete in the 3,000-meter racewalking events at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minn.

Last year, Myerowitz set a national record when he won the 3K with time of 16 minutes, 27.6 seconds, in the 60-64 age division. Baker Myerowitz, a national champ in the 10K, will compete in the 55-59 age division.

The 3K is the start of national competition for the couple. Myerowitz, last year’s national champ in the 5K and 10K, also, will be competing in the 5K, 10K, and 20K events later this season while Baker Myerowitz will be participating in the 5K and 10K events.

A new monthly magazine, Mainely Running, will be soon available for those seeking extra news on running and outing sports. John LeRoy of Harpswell is the owner of the new magazine and hopes to publish the first issue in April.

LeRoy said he wanted to start the magazine to fill the void left when Maine Running and Outing Magazine ceased publication more than a year ago.

“The main reasons for the magazine are getting in the race results and the schedule that goes with it,” he said.

LeRoy, 50, brings a strong business background to the magazine as he has a bachelor of science degree and masters of business administration from Syracuse.

Those seeking more information may contact LeRoy at Howard’s Hill Road, Brunswick, ME 04011 or at 725-8680.

MAY 5

At Bangor, Terry Fox 5K Run, (3.1 miles)

MAY 12

At Brewer, Epstein’s Fives Aces (5K).

JUNE 29

At Bucksport, Tour du Lac 10-Miler.

JULY 4

At Brewer, Bangor-Brewer 3K (1.8 miles).

JULY 27

At Hancock, 14th Lobster Classic 10-Miler.

AUG. 10

At Schoodic, Schoodic Point 15K (9.3 miles).

AUG. 17

At Machias, Blueberry 5-Miler.

SEPT. 28

At Kingfield, Kingfield 10K.

OCT. 13

At Orono, Aspirations 10K.

NOV. 24

At Brewer, Brewer High Turkey Trot 5K.