Gomez strong in two 10K races First Lincoln Lakes 5K set Sunday

A former Aroostook County running standout recently turned in winning performances in two 10-kilometer road races.

Robert Gomez, 20, who lives in Waldoboro, won the Maine Lobster Festival race in Rockland on Aug. 3 in 34 minutes, 31 seconds, and took the Samoset 10K in Bristol last weekend with a 34:45 clocking.

Even though his times were about the same, Gomez had some different opinions on each race.

“The Bristol course was beautiful but much hillier than Rockland,” he said. “The race in Rockland was fairly flat, but it was a hot day. But it’s exciting to be in the lobster festival.”

Gomez captured his fair share of regional and state championships during an outstanding two-year stint for Limestone, winning individual regional and state crowns in 1999 and 2000.

He attended Medomak Valley in Waldoboro his freshman and sophomore years and then attended the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone.

“I basically use races as speed work, and generally do a race each weekend,” said Gomez, who will co-captain the Bates College of Lewiston cross country squad along with Michael Downing. “I always run with Jeff Sprague, who inspired me to start running. We always run together and motivate each other.”

Sprague finished second in both the Maine Lobster and Samoset 10Ks.

Gomez is looking forward to facing a former Aroostook County foe this fall.

“[Jeff] Alden [of Caribou] is running at Colby [College in Waterville], and I’m excited to run against him,” he said. “Running in the County was a great experience.

Gomez said that a benefit of competing in the 10K races is building up strength for the college races, which are 8Ks.

Preseason practices don’t kick off on Aug. 27, but Gomez is already looking ahead.

“We’ve lost many team members, and our top runner graduated,” he said. “Michael [Downing] is really running well, plus we have several incoming freshman.”

One of those incoming freshman is former Maranacook of Readfield standout Steve Monsulick.

Lincoln Lakes 5K

Many new races have been popping up this summer, such as the Lincoln Lakes 5K and one-mile fun run that will take place Sunday.

The race kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with registration getting under way at 8. It all starts and finishes at Mattanawcook Academy. All proceeds will go toward a new Recreation Center in Lincoln. The runner-friendly course heads into downtown Lincoln before turning toward the town beach, providing excellent lake views, according to race director Michelle Wooley, who also coaches the Lincoln Recreation Department’s summer track team.

“We’re not expecting a huge turnout, we’re hoping to raise lots of money. A few of the summer track kids plan to come out as well,” she said. “Hopefully 30 people will come out,” she added.

Fees are $15 for the 5K and $5 for the one-mile fun run.

Finishing Kick: In addition to the Lincoln Lakes 5K, you have a couple other options this weekend. On Saturday, you can either head to Machias for the 28th annual Blueberry Festival 5-miler and 1-mile fun run, which start at 8 a.m. with registration at 6, or to Old Orchard Beach for the Breakaway 5K, also starting at 8.