BELFAST – When the first race of the second annual Maine Cross Country Festival of Champions kicked off around noon on Saturday, the weather was ideal for running: Sunny, a bit windy and temperatures around 55 degrees.

A couple hours later, just before Belfast junior Levi Miller and many others toed the line for the day’s final race, it was a totally different: Rain, gusty winds and much cooler temperatures.

Miller went on to tour the rain- and wind-battered 5-kilometer loop in 15 minutes, 56.6 seconds, breaking former Ellsworth and current Stanford University runner Steve DeWitt’s course record of 15:59.

Mt. Blue of Farmington’s Lily Hanstein was the girls individual champ, outsprinting Bangor’s Jolene Belanger by half a second, 19:37.3 to 19:37.8. Old Town standout Cassie Hintz did not attend the meet due to illness.

Team crowns went to the Cumberland, R.I., boys, who stuck four runners in the top 10 and five in the top 20 to easily outdistance runner-up Ellsworth by a 49-87 margin. Mount Desert Island (103), Cheverus of Portland (135) and Mt. Blue (180) rounded out the top five.

The Hampden Academy girls, led by Molly Balentine’s fifth-place finish, turned in another fine performance to edge second-place Ellsworth 78-105. They were followed by Mt. Blue (144), Bangor (178) and Camden Hills (186).

The day ended on a tragic note, however. Belfast freshman Joe Diprete-DiGioia, who competed in the second race, collapsed in the woods and died. Diprete-DiGioia, 14, was found at approximately 3 p.m.

In the boys meet, Miller fended off a challenge from Ellsworth senior Joey DeWitt to break the course record and his own meet record set last year.

“I knew that Joey would be on my back,” Miller said. “We were together the first two miles.”

Miller then put DeWitt away through a hilly last mile.

“I’m more of a hill runner,” he explained.

The wind and rain didn’t force Miller to change plans.

“The plan was to stick with the front runners. I knew I had to run 5:10 miles to break the record,” said Miller, who averaged a 5:07 mile.

“The race went out quick for a slippery day,” he added. “It also helps to see the course before regionals, and the home-course advantage helps.”

Meanwhile, the Clippers of Cumberland, R.I., boasted a pack time of 49 seconds, which will win meets almost every time out.

“It’s more relaxing knowing your teammates are there,” said third runner David Holgate, who finished ninth overall.

“We ran as a group,” Cumberland coach Tom Kenwood said.

“We help each other when someone’s hurting, and if someone has a bad day, someone else steps up,” said Kenwood’s son Mark, who was Cumberland’s top runner, finishing fifth.

Other Cumberland scorers were Andrew Coleman (sixth), Andrew Speroni (10th) and Jared Gould (20th).

In the girls meet Hanstein, a junior, was unaware Hintz wasn’t competing.

“I just went out fast and wanted to see what happened,” she said. “It’s a real advantage to see the course before regionals.”

She’ll have plenty of competition there from Mount Ararat of Topsham standouts Jessie and Beth Wilcox.

“They’re very talented, and great competition,” Hanstein said.

The wind didn’t bother her, either.

“I took turns drafting with my teammates,” she said.

Coach Dick Balentine’s Broncos turned in a solid performance after finishing second to John Bapst of Bangor at last weekend’s Sectional meet in Old Town.

“It was a good tuneup for PVCs and Regionals,” Balentine said. “Ellsworth wasn’t at full strength and John Bapst wasn’t here, but I’m pleased with our performance. We have confidence heading into PVC’s and regionals.”

The Eagles were missing front-runner Lacie Dow, who was sick.

“It was a big meet, and it’s nice to have a win under our belt,” said Molly Balentine, the coach’s daughter.

Balentine was also unaware Hintz wasn’t there.

“I didn’t really have to change my strategy,” she said.

The Broncos weathered the storm as well.

“The weather was bad but we’ve had to deal with it before,” said fourth runner Amelia Potvin, who finished 21st overall.

Other Hampden finishers were Amanda Gervasi (10), Molly Peverada (18), Melissa Estes (34), Margrethe Hassell (39) and Meg Hauger (59).

Overall, the meet attracted 34 teams and more than 550 runners.