UMaine is set to host its first marathon and half marathon on June 21, 2015 as part of the Black Bear Race series. While the marathon training class was canceled due to low enrollment, Campus Recreation is still offering a weekly half marathon training class.
“It helps the community and the UMaine campus to have a marathon here,” Co-Director Lauri Sidelko said. “Runners have been asking for marathons for a while. This event is a joint venture between runners, students, and staff.”
The half marathon training group is participants’ chance to try new running routes, get familiar with the course and socialize with other runners.
“The training group is geared toward first-timers who are recreational runners, but a more advanced runner who is racing with a goal time would do really well in the group as well,” training group volunteer Nora Feeney said. “I am an avid runner myself and I volunteered to teach the course to help other runners meet and exceed their goals and to share my experience in distance running.”
The half marathon training group starts on March 28 at 9:15 a.m. and meets on Saturdays until June 20, the day before the race. This training schedule is similar to the Healthy High “Couch to 5k” weekly training, which runs from Feb. 23 to April 20, except for spring break.
The 26.2-mile marathon race track begins on the UMaine campus and runs through Orono and Old Town. There is a six hour limit for the marathon course.
Other events in the Black Bear Race series include the Black Bear Triathlon, the Healthy High 5k/10k and the Black Bear Attack Adventure Race.
“You have to elevate everything planning-wise in planning a marathon compared to other races,” marathon co-director Thad Dwyer said. “We have put a tremendous amount of coordination into this event, including creating a committee to assist with planning.”
As co-directors, Sidelko is responsible for event logistics, vendors, promotions and safety, while Dwyer is tasked with course logistics. Members of the 10-person committee, who have been working toward the marathon every other week for six months, have run a combined 100 marathons.
“Times are changing; people are more and more conscious of fitness. This brings a lot of people to races,” Dwyer said. “Over the last five years, marathons have become much more popular. Now is a good time to bring a marathon to UMaine.”
Sidelko cited the complex traffic problems and low campus summer population as reasons why UMaine has never hosted a marathon before. However, scheduling the races for the last day of summer orientation allow more people to attend, as well as introduce new students and parents to UMaine life. She expects the marathon to attract 1,200 people.
“Being a runner myself, I’ve noticed running is getting more popular in recent years,” Sidelko said. “You see Mainers running year-round. They have a certain toughness you don’t see anywhere else.”
“There are a lot of startup costs associated with producing the first marathon,” Sidelko said. “This race has to pay for itself, and we’ve done a lot of research to ensure these entry fees remain competitive.”
Those wishing to participate in the race but cannot afford the entry fee should contact lauri.sidelko@umit.maine.edu to discuss financial aid. Students who don’t want to run but still want to be involved can sign up for cheer stations that will be located throughout the marathon route.
“It is an investment to bring a marathon to UMaine,” Dwyer said. “We are looking to put on a high-quality race, first and foremost. We want to keep costs as low as possible.”
Run by the Student Wellness Resource Center, proceeds from the Black Bear Marathon and Half Marathon will go toward Campus Recreation summer camp participants and Student Wellness Resource Center student projects.
Until March 30, registration fees are $85 and $60 for the full and half marathon, respectively. After March 31, fees are $95 and $75, respectively. Runners may register online at racewire.com.