Shortly after the Paul Bunyan Marathon and 15K kicked off Sunday morning, race director Phil LeBreton hopped in a Ryder truck filled with bagels, water and other finish line goodies and headed for the finish line to set it all up.

When he zipped past the field of 400 runners on Main Street in Bangor, and stopped at the corner of Exchange and State streets and watched virtually the entire field run down Exchange Street and onto Harlow Street, the Brewer native and Bangor resident was in awe.

“It was amazing just watching it,” LeBreton said, “even though you and I were stuck in traffic and couldn’t get where we wanted to go, but to sit there and see something that was re-created was a [great] experience.”

A little more than three days after the last runner crossed the finish line at Cameron Stadium Sunday LeBreton, along with wife Tennille, have already started planning the 2007 edition of the race.

“We haven’t decided on a cap of the race yet. We’re looking at 1,000 runners,” Phil LeBreton explained.

LeBreton said the date for next year’s race will be July 15th, starting at 6 a.m., and that no 15K race will be held.

“I have no doubts that next year’s event will be a stellar event,” he said.

LeBreton added the timing for next year’s race will be the Chip Timing system similar to that used to time the Beach to Beacon 10K race in Cape Elizabeth.

There are other things that will be different in 2007, such as possible transportation from the finish line to the starting line for runners.

“If we can get volunteers next year who have minivans [that would be great],” Tennille LeBreton said.

LeBreton did have a special surprise in store for the many sponsors and police officers who helped out on race day.

“[Tuesday] night we went by some of the police departments and gave [the officers] finishers medals, and thanked them for all the work that they’ve done and creating a safe environment,” he said.

Tennille LeBreton admitted that up until she met her husband, her knowledge of running was limited.

“I didn’t know a thing, not one thing,” she said. “I love it though, it’s so much fun, I had a great time.”

She commended her husband for the job he did directing the race.

“I thought it went well, I was really impressed. I thought Phil did a wonderful job,” she said. “The volunteers were great, were very helpful. I can’t wait for next year.”

A few facts from Sunday’s race: Runners from 39 states and five Canadian provinces converged on the course. Some 6,200 pounds worth of granite awards were handed out and 2,500 liters of water were guzzled down.

Clams invading Yarmouth

One of Maine’s biggest summer road racing events and a good Beach to Beacon tuneup is right around the corner.

Saturday in Yarmouth, hundreds, and maybe even thousands of clams, er, runners, will invade the quiet Route 1 coastal village for the 25th annual Clam Festival Classic 5-mile run.

The race, managed by the Maine Track Club and sponsored by Pat’s Pizza, starts at 8 a.m. on Main Street in Yarmouth. Prizes are aplenty, as the first 700 runners to register not only receive a T-shirt, but a $3 Pat’s Pizza gift certificate.

Yarmouth native Matt Lane, who now lives in Menlo Park, Calif., easily won last year’s edition in 23 minutes, 48 seconds. The course is mainly flat with a few rolling hills, but in the heat of mid-July, if you start too fast, you’re toast.

Registration is $19 and you can preregister at the race.

Just a small-town race …

If you’re looking for a quiet, small-town race this weekend, Lincoln might be your destination.

The fourth annual Lincoln Lakes 5K will take place Saturday at 8 a.m. at Prince Thomas Park.

Registration on race day begins at 7 a.m., and the fee is only $10.

For more information on the race contact Michelle Wooley at 794-6548.