Maine Track Club

Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K

Entries are running well ahead of record pace for the next race on the MTC schedule -- the Portland Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K, with almost 1,700 already registered for the 5K and more than 200 for the kids' run. Online registration will remain open until noon on Friday, May 9, or you can register from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Hadlock Field. Race-day registration opens at 7 a.m.

As always, volunteers are needed to help with registration, traffic, and chip removal. To volunteer, please fill out the online volunteer form.

MTC trip to Newburyport

A few spaces are still available for the MTC's annual trip to Newburyport, Mass., for the Yankee Homecoming 10-Miler and 5K on Tuesday, July 29. A 12-passenger van will be leaving South Portland at 4 p.m., with an expected return time of 10:30 p.m. The cost for the ride is $25 per person, including van rental, gas and tolls, but not including the $18 race entry fee.

If you're interested in making the trip, contact Howard Spear.

MTC coaching programs

The MTC is offering two coaching programs to its members this year. Maine Running Company is providing coaching services on Thursdays in Portland, as part of the MRC's popular "Reach The Beacon" and fall and winter training programs. Visit the MRC Web site for more information. Coaching is free for Maine Track Club members.

Also, Bob Brainerd is back for a fourth season to lead Tuesday night track sessions at Edward Little High School in Auburn, starting on April 29. Bob will be working with a diverse group of runners and walkers and will help participants of all levels gear a program that suits their fitness level. Again, these sessions are free for MTC members.

Maine USATF Grand Prix series

Ethan Hemphill, 35, of Freeport and Sheri Piers, 36, of Falmouth are the open division leaders after the first event of the 2008 Maine USATF Grand Prix series -- the Mid-Winter 10-Mile Classic in Cape Elizabeth. Other division leaders are Bill Mariski (40-49), Floyd Lavery (50-59), Bill Reilly (60-69) and Art Warren (70+) among the men, and Christine Reaser (40-49), Ellie Tucker (50-59), Joan Tremberth (60-69) and Polly Kenniston (70+) among the women.

This year's series features 11 races, and the top six results for each runner count toward the final standings. Other races are as follows.

• May 11: Portland Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K, Portland
• May 18: Sugarloaf/USA 15K and Marathon
• July 19: Old Hallowell Days 5K
• August 24: L/A 5K Bridge Run, Auburn
• September 1: Bangor Labor Day 5-Miler
• September 20: MDI YMCA Bar Harbor Half Marathon
• September 27: Eliot Festival Days 5K
• October 11: Craig Cup 5K XC, Cumberland
• October 26: Great Pumpkin 10K, Saco

Grand Prix standings

See your running pictures online

MTC member David Colby Young has photos from numerous road races throughout the state, and beyond, posted on his personal Web site, so if you're a club member who has run any races since 2004, there's a good chance you'll find a photo of yourself. Check out David's site.

MTC Roasters Runs

The Maine Track Club hosts a weekly "Roasters Run" on Saturdays at 7 a.m., starting from the parking lot of Maine Roasters Coffee on Route 1 in Falmouth. This is a great opportunity to discover the social aspects of running. All ability levels are welcome.

Every Saturday morning (come rain, shine or blizzard!), a group of Maine Track Club runners and friends will get together for informal distance runs. Runners can group themselves based on pace and then go out for runs ranging from 5-20 miles through Falmouth and Portland. The courses are well laid out; click here to download a map of the individual routes. Maps will also be available at the start of each group run.

The runs are very informal, with the only formality being that they always start at exactly 7 a.m. all year long. This is an especially great way to train for the marathon distance, running in the company of friends.

Please note that the courses are on public streets or trails, and thus caution should be exercised; the Maine Track Club assumes no liability for runners making use of the group runs. For more information about the Roasters Runs and/or to sign up to put out water, contact Sandy Walton.

Maine Track Club Race Schedule

	Portland Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K, Portland, May 11
	Pineland Farms Trail Challenge, New Gloucester, May 25
	Pat's Pizza Clam Festival Classic, Yarmouth, July 19
	Peaks Island Road Race, Peaks Island, July 26
	St. Peter's Road Race, Portland, Aug. 15
	Breakaway 5K, Old Orchard Beach, Aug. 16
	Dan Cardillo Memorial 5K, Falmouth, Sept. 14
	Peak Performance Maine Marathon, Portland, Oct. 5
	MTC 50-Miler and 50K, Brunswick, Oct. 18
	Physical Therapy 8K, Brunswick, Oct. 19
	Turkey Trot 5K, Cape Elizabeth, Nov. 23
	Jingle Bell Run & Walk for Arthritis 5K, Freeport, Dec. 7