Bill Pinkham was the kind of runner who participated in local road races for the camaraderie of the events and to make new friends, not for prestige or prize money.

“He was just a really nice guy. We knew that we had to have a race for Bill. He wasn’t there [at races] for the prize money. He’s run on these roads like I have for many years,” said Lamoine resident Robin Emery, one of Pinkham’s closest running friends.

Emery has joined forces with Tom Kirby in dedicating a race to Pinkham, who died after finishing the Walter Hunt 3K in Bangor last summer.

The memorial race – the Flat Top 5K run and walk – will take place Saturday at the Lamoine School on Route 184.

Race day registration starts at 8 a.m., with the walk starting at 9:30 and the run at 10.

The name of the race comes from one of many things Pinkham is remembered for – his military-look hairstyle.

“It was part of his trademark look, the Q-tip look,” said Kirby, of Ellsworth.

One consistent memento a runner can take home from any race – in addition to new friends – is the race T-shirt. Since Pinkham collected so many T-shirts over the years, Emery thought it would be appropriate to let runners pick out one of Pinkham’s shirts, some of which are from races that aren’t run anymore, as opposed to designing a new shirt.

“Bill had so many shirts from so many races. People will be able to pick up a nice shirt,” Emery said, adding that at least “five or six bags of T-shirts” from Pinkham’s closet will be available.

This time of year, most runners are starting to put the winter gear back in the closet and break out the spring gear, and yes, the racing flats, as the racing season generally gets under way in late March and early April.

“That’s why we picked this time of year [for the race],” Emery said. “Hopefully we get no snow, and everybody can gear up for the racing season.”

Emery said that the course is “point to point, and the last mile and a half is all downhill.”

She added that there is one small uphill, but no major uphills.

Emery said that “30 to 40 people have signed up,” and that a runner from as far away as Austin, Texas, has registered.

“If everybody comes, that says they’re going to come, its going to be big,” she said.

One of those who will participate is Pinkham’s daughter, Connie Wallace.

One of Pinkham’s greatest traits was his involvement in the running community.

“He encouraged so many people to start and keep running,” Emery said. “He did it just for the camaraderie. He could tell you what your time was the last tenth of a mile.”

The registration fee is $6, and all proceeds will go toward a scholarship to be awarded to a track/cross country athlete at Sumner Memorial High School in East Sullivan.

Race to honor Almenas

A week after the local road racing community will honor Pinkham, a race will be held on Indian Island in memory of Old Town High School student Lindsey Almenas, who died in a car accident along with boyfriend Ryan Worcester last September.

The Ma’nkw ane Memorial 5K run and walk will begin at the Indian Island community building April 9 at 1 p.m. All proceeds from the run/walk will raise money for the Lindsey Almenas Scholarship Fund. For more information, contact Newell Lewey at 944-2331 or nlewey@adelphia.net. Registration forms are also available on www.sub5.com.

Those who are not able to attend the race but would like to contribute to the scholarship can mail funds to: Old Town High School, c/o Karen Larsen, Lindsey Almenas Scholarship Fund, 203 Stillwater Ave., Old Town, ME 04468.