Winners from ’91 to bolster Portland race field

Maine road race winners from 1991 have received a special invitation to compete in the Portland Patriots Day 5-Miler on April 20.

Race organizers, seeking to add to an already quality field, have sent out invitations to Maine runners who won four- and five-mile races during 1991.

“We’ve sent invitations out all over Maine and have received 10 back already,” said Steve Muslawksi, a co-director of the race.

The 63rd race, which begins at noon near the Portland Press Herald’s circulation building, is the most popular in Maine and attracted a field of 881 last year.

Some of last year’s women’s race winners who will be competing in the Portland race include Sheila Hodges of Hampden, Tina Meserve of Livermore Falls, Michelle Hallett of Waterville, and Cathy Jurgelvich of Boothbay Harbor.

Hodges won last year’s Run of the Irish 5-Miler in Carmel, Meserve won the P.T. 8K in Brunswick, Hallett finished first in the Waterville 5-Miler, and Jurgelvich won the Elks Club 5-Miler in Bath.

Men’s winners who will be competing include Steve Reed of Wiscasset, Mike Grigware of Saco, and Sean Keough. Reed placed first in the Elks Club race, Grigware won the Berwick DARE 5-Miler, and Keough finished first in the Snofest 5-Miler in Yarmouth.

Paul Hammond of Wilmington, Mass., and Ramalda Clark of Lewiston, the respective men’s and women’s winners in last year’s Portland race, have not yet registered.

Hammond finished with a time of 24 minutes, 35 seconds and Clark clocked a 28:24 over the fast course, which is certified by The Athletics Congress. Sam Pelletier holds the men’s course record with a 23:33 and Lynn Jennings the women’s mark at 26:24.

A total of 625 runners have already preregistered for the race and Muslawski is hoping to break the 1,000 mark.

“This race has such a great tradition,” Muslawski said. “Grandfathers run with their fathers and fathers run with their sons. It’s just incredible the number of people who turn out. Some people plan their vacations around it.”

The race is co-sponsored by the Portland Press Herald and the Alumni Association of the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Portland Area. Race proceeds go toward eight college scholarships, $500 each to four boys and four girls.

The race’s entry fee is $10 and runners can register up to 11:30 a.m. on race day. Those seeking more information may contact Muslawski at 874-1070.

Gerry Clapper, a Bucksport native and former running standout for the University of Maine, is still pounding the roads with some impressive times.

Clapper, who now lives in Columbia, Md., competed in the recent Cherry Blossom 10-mile race in Washington and finished 15th with a time of 51:32.

The race featured a top international field with Richard Chelimo of Kenya finishing first at 47:06 and countryman William Koech second at 47:15.

RACE-DATE REMINDERS: April 18, 11th Unity Spring 5K, 9 a.m.; April 26, Moosabec Rotary Club 5K in Jonesport, 1 p.m.; May 3, 11th Terry Fox 5K Run in Bangor, 10 a.m.; May 10, Epstein’s Five Aces 5K Road Race in Brewer, 11 a.m.; May 17, 10th Sugarloaf Marathon in Kingfield, 7 a.m.; and the Great Spring Cleanup 5-Miler in East Millinocket, 1 p.m.