10K race set at Pembroke June 7

A 10K road race has been a rare event in Washington County, but that may change with the first running of the Cobscook Bay 10K on June 7 in Pembroke at 10 a.m.

Race director Jonathan Aretakis, a marathoner and perennial on the Maine road-race circuit, started the race to benefit a non-profit organization and to give local high school runners an opportunity to compete in a quality long-distance race.

“I wanted something for the high school kids, we have some great runners down here,” said Aretakis. “There are some great races in Washington County, the Blueberry run (a 5-miler) and several 5Ks, but no 10Ks.”

The race is a benefit for Down East Hospice, a non-profit organization which serves Washington County by offering home care and support to the terminally ill and their families.

“Hospice has been very helpful in putting the race together. I’d like to see the race become an annual event to benefit Hospice – to raise the awareness of what Hospice is and provide a forum for high school runners,” Aretakis said.

Approximately 30 runners have preregistered for the 6.2-mile run and Aretakis is optimistically hoping for a field of more than 100. He has sent out an invitation to Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson of Freeport as well as several runners in the Bangor area such as Michael Gaige of Bangor and Chuck Morris of Brewer.

Aretakis, a Bates College grad (’81), ran cross country and track at the Lewiston-based school. In his first two years there, he was competing in meets against Bowdoin, where Benoit was competing.

Runners could establish some good times on the Cobscook Bay course, which is certified by The Athletics Congress. The race has drawn attention from runners in Wisconsin and Oregon.

“The race was listed in Runners’ World, a national publication. I’ve been getting several phone calls on it and finally had to leave a message on my machine,” Aretakis said. “People want to run on a TAC course. This runs along the shore (of Cobscook Bay). It’s pristine, the unspoiled Maine coast, the way Maine should be and that’s a big attraction.”

The race begins in Pembroke and the first five miles are on a newly paved road, which consists of gently rolling hills. The final mile is on a gravel road and the race finishes in Reversing Falls Park.

“I would describe the first five miles as moderate, but the last mile as tough,” Aretakis said.

The Sunrise County Road Runners, the county’s local running club, is assisting with the race. Race-day registration begins at 9 a.m. behind Antone’s Triangle store on Route 1. The entry fee is $6.

Those seeking more information may contact Aretakis at 726-5858.

The TAC Maine State 5K/3K Racewalk Championship, which was scheduled for June 7 in Brewer, has been canceled, according to organizer Moshe Myerowitz of Bangor.

The event has attracted some of the nation’s top racewalking talent the past five years and was organized by Myerowitz and his wife, Philomena Baker-Myerowitz, both top national racewalkers in their respective age groups.

Lack of time commitment and volunteers caused the event to be canceled this year, however, Myerowitz said, adding that it may return next year. Myerowitz said that he also decided to put his funding of the event of approximately $2,000 “in other directions” this year.