Maine Track Club

Maine Marathon training program

Peak Performance Multisports is offering an 18-week training program for the Peak Performance Maine Marathon and Half Marathon. Managed by a Road Runners Club of America certified running coach, the program will be adjusted to match the fitness level and goals of each participant. You'll meet one-on-one to determine the best plan for you and have ongoing coaching support, as well as group camaraderie, throughout your training. All levels of athletes are welcome.

Benefits include:

• A personal training schedule
• Weekly group runs with on-course support and post-run refreshments
• Marathon or half marathon race registration
• Periodic member-only training clinics
• Special offers on massage therapy
• A Peak Performance Maine Marathon "In-Training" tee-shirt
• The opportunity to meet and exceed your own expectations!

The fee for the program is $180 ($10 per week), or $150 for Team Nor'Easter members ($8.33 per week). For more information about Team Nor'Easter or to register for the training program, visit Peak's Web site or e-mail Peak Performance.

B2B training runs

Hannaford is again sponsoring free training runs for the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K on Tuesdays through July 29. Meet at the red Hannaford tent in the Forest Avenue Hannaford parking lot at 5:30 p.m., rain or shine. The final run on July 29 will be led by B2B founder and Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson.

There will be a group warm-up and pacers for beginners, intermediate runners and more experienced runners. Free refreshments will be available. All participants must sign a release waiver, and anyone under 18 must have a parent sign the waiver.

Visit the Hannaford Web site for a 10K training schedule and tips.

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 maintained their leads in the Maine USATF Grand Prix Series after the third and fourth events -- the Sugarloaf/USA 15K and Marathon. Hemphill picked up 10 points by winning the 15K, keeping him two points ahead of Bar Harbor's Judson Cake, who won the marathon. None of the top three open women competed at Sugarloaf, so Piers is still two points ahead of Kristin Barry of Scarborough.

Other division leaders are Bill Mariski (40-49), Floyd Lavery (50-59), Bill Reilly (60-69) and Jerry LeVasseur (70+) among the men, and Jeanne Hackett (40-49), Carol Fanning (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. The Pat's Pizza Clam Festival Classic on July 19 has replaced Old Hallowell Days on the series schedule. Remaining races are as follows:

• July 19: Pat's Pizza Clam Festival Classic, Yarmouth
• 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

	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