Potato Blossom 5-miler a stern test Beach to Beacon race moves to a Sunday

It’s considered by some to be one of the toughest 5-mile courses in New England, and it’s up in Aroostook County.

It’s the course used for a popular road racing stop in northern Maine, the annual Maine Potato Blossom 5-mile run and walk, set for 9.a.m. Saturday.

The course winds through the streets and yes, potato fields, of Fort Fairfield, and the first three miles are all uphill.

It’s a race in which many local runners have fared well in the past. Former Presque Isle standout Chris Blackistone won the race in 2002, while another former County sensation, Caribou’s Jeff Alden, finished second in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Justin Easter captured the race last year in 26 minutes, 4 seconds with Alden next in 28:03. Blackistone’s 2002 winning time was 27:48.

The race is among many events during the nine-day Potato Blossom Festival, which was first held in 1957. Other events on race day include a pancake breakfast at 6 a.m. and a chicken barbecue at 11:30.

Race registration gets under way at 7:30 a.m. at the Hillside IGA on Main Street, with the fee $10 in American or $15 in Canadian.

Walkers go off first at 8:30. Those seeking additional information may contact Paul Lamoreau at 764-6517.

Beach to Beacon a ‘Sunday Run’

This year’s Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth is being held on a Sunday (Aug. 1) for several reasons.

The race traditionally is run on the first Saturday of August. However, on the first Saturday this August (Aug. 7), many elite runners will be on Cape Cod competing in the 31st Falmouth (Mass.) Road Race. Moving the race to Saturday, July 31, would have conflicted with other Maine road races, including the popular Peaks Island 5-miler.

The Saturday before that (July 24) would have put the Beach to Beacon up against a major race for elite runners, the Bix 7-miler in Davenport, Iowa, as well as the Maine Track Club’s Clam Festival 5-miler in Yarmouth.

More out-of-state runners may participate because of the Sunday running this year, as they have an extra travel day to reach Cape Elizabeth.

“It’s been an interesting experiment this year, requiring a lot of hard work,” race president David Weatherbie said in a press release. “We really want to commend local businesses and churches for their willingness to work with us.”

Finishing Kick: If you want to race this weekend, you have other options in addition to the Potato Blossom run. The Tremont Trot 4-miler will take place Saturday, with buses leaving the Tremont School at 7:30 and 8 a.m. The race gets under way at 8:30.

The Pat’s Pizza Clam Festival 5-miler will be held starting with a 1-mile fun run at 7:30 a.m. and the 5-miler at 8 in Yarmouth. The annual Hallowell Day 4-miler will begin at 8 a.m. at City Hall. The Mollyockett Day 5-Mile Classic will be held in Bethel, with a 1-mile fun run at 8:30 and the 5-miler at 9. Finally, in Alfred, the Alfred Festival Day 4-Miler will take place at the Town Hall at 8 a.m.