BUNYAN MARATHON FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is this an annual event? Organizers hope this will be the first of many and last longer than its predecessor, which took place yearly from 1975 to 1984.

2. Why hasn’t the race been run since 1984? Due to declining interest among runners, sponsors and fans. This is the first marathon in Bangor since the demise of the Bunyan 22 years ago.

3. How will organizers and runners contend with the heat? Water stations will be set up every two miles and each will be manned by at least three volunteers. Pepsi-Cola donated 2,000 bottles of water for the marathon and accompanying 15-kilometer races. There also will be stations handing out Ultima electrolyte sports drink in specially marked red cups so runners will not mistake them for water and douse themselves with it. The extreme heat forecast also has prompted organizers to set up four ice stations with volunteers handing out cups of ice for runners to use to cool down. Runners in particular heat/dehydration distress will be given special belts with several bottles of water attached.

4. Do runners get maps of the course and directions? Each runner will receive a map of the marathon/15k course as well as directions for the race route in their pre-race packets, which can be picked up between 9 a.m. and noon today at the Black Bear Inn. Volunteers also will be stationed at various points to direct runners and large arrows are spray-painted on the roads all along the courses.

5. Is this a marathon or a road race? Both. The 26.2-mile marathon and a 15-kilometer road race will both start at the corner of Main Street and Buck Street and finish at the Cameron Stadium finish line in Bangor.

6. What do winners get? The overall male and female marathon and 15k winners get specially made, hand-painted ceramic statues of Paul Bunyan commissioned by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce and presented by Bangor Mayor John Cashwell. Division/age group winners will receive footwear from the Loco sneaker company and trophies/plaques carved from 3,200 pounds of Maine granite.

7. Do participants get anything for finishing? All finishers receive a custom-made finisher’s medal.