MAINE DISTANCE FESTIVAL
July 6, 1999, Bowdoin College Whittier Field, Brunswick, ME
Results courtesy of Austin Hardy’s Running in Maine homepage
Story by Steve Viatones of USATF-NE
An appreciative crowd of nearly 1000 enjoyed perfect weather and small but competitive open event fields at the third annual Maine Distance Festival.
Some strong high school times were turned in despite the fact that it was nearly a month beyond the “peak” for many of the state caliber runners. Margie Van Orden of Morse, who heads to Dartmouth in the fall, turned in the fastest New England HS girls mile of the spring in winning the mile with a 5:03.17, while Parker Pruett, a junior from Sumner kicked to a strong win in the boys race at 4:23.17.
A pair of Olympians dueled in the open 5000 with Lynn Jennings prevailing over Kate Fonshell in an excellent 15:39.22. Steve Agar, based on the west coast but an Olympian for the island country of Dominica, broke Erik Nedeau’s meet record while recording the fastest mile clocking ever run in the state of Maine, 4:01.33 Olympic Trial finalist Rob Cook of Seattle led four runners under 9:00 in the steeplechase. The event featured $2000 in prize money in what is probably the only steeple in the US to offer a prize structure, courtesy of Goodwin Volvo of Brunswick. Hats off to meet director Steve Podgajny for a job well done.
High School Events (Maine schools unless noted)
Boys 800
1.Scott Davis New Brunswick 2:00.46 CAN
2.Josh Roger Morse (Bath) 2:03.05
3.Emil Thomann Sumner ME 2:03.18
4.Denis LaFreniere Bonney Eagle 2;05.00
5.John Rogerson Bangor ME 2:05.21
6.Todd Dixon Erskine Acad. 2:06.44
Boys Mile
1.Parker Pruett Sumner 4:23.17
2.Matt Lane Yarmouth 4:24.38
3.Bob Lacourse Biddeford 4:28.40
4.Stee Moore Brunswick 4:28.47
5.Colin Moore Windham 4:32.93
6.Matt Payson Nor.MtHermon 4:37.62
7.Ben Lewis Mt.Blue 4:37.80
8.Jason Moore Hermon 4:42.40
Girls 800
1.Briana Nault Biddeford 2:20.49
2.Erin Herbig Belfast 2:21.75
3.Jill Svoboda Bangor 2:26.51
4.Jackie Mauren Gorham 2:27.85
5.Nadiah Lincoln Winthrop 2:28.83
6.Meg Muller Hebron Acad 2:29.12
7.Kyla Lynch Scarboro 2:30.53
8.Gretchen Earle Falmouth 2:34.23
9.Kim Taylor Falmouth 2:34.61
10.Hollie Harnisch Bangor 2:38.43
Girls Mile
1.Margie Van Orden Morse 5:03.17
2.Leanne Brady Trumbull CT 5:17.16
3.Shalane Flanagan Marblehead MA 5:22.69 8th grade!
4.Kely Terhune Lake Region 5:28.70
5.Emily Hampson Exeter NH 5:28.71 8th grade!
6.Hanah Shultz Gorham 5:32.98
7.Anna Yates Mt Blue 5:36.85
8.Erin Welch Belfast 6:01.15
9.Vickie Swindells Cony 6:04.26
10.Vanessa Allen Morse 6:06.96
Women’s 800
1.Culyer Goodwin Unatt 2:13.63
2.Emer Molloy NIke Boston 2:14.05
3.Jill Hindley Gr.Lowell RR 2:20.97
4.Lisa Doyon BAA 2:24.10
Women’s 5000
1.Lynn Jennings Nike 15:39.22
2.Kate Fonshell asics 15:53.52
3.Maggi Murray Whirlaway RT 16:34.23
4.Michelle Cormier New Brunswick 16:50.71
DNF: Breeda Denahey
Men’s Masters Mile
1.Barry Harwick BAA 4:29.94
2.Bob O’Hara TriValleyFR 4:34.06
3.Roly McSorley CAN 4:37.47
4.Bob Hodge Cent.Mass.Str 4:39.58
5.Brad Hurst BAA 4:42.46
6.Rich Murray BAA 4:54.04 (50)
7.Dennis McIver Unatt 4:57.27
8.Pablo Nicolaides TX 5:01.07
9.Kevin McDonals Maine Masters 5:01.58
10.Lester Devoe Unatt 5:06.64
11.Rob Craig Unatt 5:11.21
12.Chuck Radis Unatt 5:14.71
Men’s Mile
1.Steve Agar Farm Team 4:01.33
2.Bill Bland Cent.Mass.Str. 4:10.07
3.Willie Best Canada 4:10.10
4.Andrew Cleary Cent.Mass.Str. 4:11.68
5.Ethan Crain Unattached 4:18.34
6.Sean Tynan Gr.Lowell RR 4:23.68
7.Anthony Braccio Un 4:32.43
Men’s 5000
1.Chris Langen Dartmouth 14:57.13
2.Jim Garster Sub 5 15:22.14
3.Sheldon Young UMaine 15:26.75
4.Rodney Furr Cent.Mass.Str. 15:57.87
Steeple
1.Rob Cook Club Northwest 8:50.08 $1000
2.Artie Green AThletics Anon. 8:53.16 $ 600
3.Darrin Shearer Unattached 8:53.89 $ 300
4.Fred Carter Farm Team 8:56.12 $ 100
5.Marzuki Stevens Gr.Lowell RR 9:28.32
6.Hugh Simson Canada 9:53.05
7.Kevin Cormier Canada 10:38.66