Tell most nonrunners about an annual marathon that’s held in the western mountains of Maine … and named after a well-known ski resort … and they’ll probably dismiss the idea as pure hilly torture.

Tell the 60-mile-a-week crowd about it, and they’ll tell you about Sugarloaf … and how fast the course can be.

This Sunday marks the 20th edition of the Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K, and race director Sue Foster points out that people expecting a mountainous test of endurance are pleasantly surprised by what they find in Carrabassett Valley.

The secret: The final 16 miles of the race follows the Carrabassett River, which, according to laws of gravity, must flow downhill.

“There’s a net elevation loss of 1,000 feet [from start to finish], but it isn’t without hills,” Foster said. “The first five hills are really flat. The next three are rolling. And the last 151/2 are all flat or downhill, except for a little hump at 21.”

The race has been contested annually since its inception except for a one-year hiatus after longtime race director Chip Carey left for a job in Utah. Foster stepped in as race director in 1998 at the running community’s behest, and has been in charge ever since.

Her first year, she admits, was a bare-bones affair.

“We held an official race and got about 50 runners, but it was free-entry, minimal amenities,” she said. “We had a couple of water stops, race numbers and a couple of awards.”

Since then, though, the race has picked back up and become a popular spring qualifier for those looking to post a time that will get them into the Boston Marathon.

Foster expects a field of 350 for the marathon and more than 200 for the 15K.

Over the past 21 years, one thing has remained the same, Foster said.

“It’s a beautiful, sort of low-key, friendly event,” she said. “It lacks a lot of the big-city amenities, but it more than makes up for it in the experience that people take away.”

Foster said the weather report may not inspire sun-worshipers, but it looks just fine for runners.

“Right now, we’ve got two inches of snow on the ground, which isn’t normal,” she said on Tuesday. “And the weather forecast looks cold for the weekend, which is perfect for running.”

The marathon begins at 7 a.m. in Eustis, while the 15K begins in Carrabassett Valley at 7:30.

Among the runners expected to compete: last year’s women’s winner Melissa Perkins-Banas, Veazie’s Newell Lewey and Milbridge’s Jeremy Lisee. Lisee has had plenty of road success but will be making his marathon debut at Sugarloaf, Foster said.

Among the changes for this year: More water stops, including three manned and three self-serve stops over the final six miles; also, the marathon relay, which had existed for three years, has been scrapped due to lack of interest.

“We try to do something new each year, but this time it’s just some basic comforts that we’re providing,” Foster said. “[Like] overhead protection at the starting line other than the majestic cathedral pines.”

Mainers rounding into form

Collegians from Maine high schools are rounding into championship shape as the track season winds down.

Jenna Richardson of Waterville, a senior at Brown University, recently finished fifth in the 10,000 at the Heptagonal Championships.

Her time: a speedy 35:41.98.

Meanwhile, Stanford standout Louie Luchini of Ellsworth will run in the Pac-10 championships this weekend. He is seeded third – behind two teammates – in the 5,000. Stanford’s distance stable is packed again this year, as the Cardinal are seeded 1-2-3-4 in the event.

On the most recent performance list for qualifiers for the NCAA championships, Luchini is 10th-fastest in the 10,000 and 11th best at 5,000.

Finishing kick: In addition to the Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K, runners can head to Machias for another chance to race this weekend.

The Spring into Summer Walk and Run for Fun is set for a 9 a.m. start at the corner next to Varney’s Insurance and Kilton Used Cars.

John Holyoke can be reached at 990-8214, 1-800-310-8600 or by e-mail at jholyoke@bangordailynews.net.