Winter’s demise doesn’t mean it all goes quiet in the Maine High Peaks!! Au contraire, we catch our breath from the Winter Work schedule & break out the summer toys; from paddles or golf clubs, to the chaise lounge for catching some music, this is a destination year-round for all ages with a variety of reasons to visit! Local or visitor: join us!!
Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K
Now in its 33rd year, the Sugarloaf Marathon is Maine’s oldest continuously run marathon, drawing hundreds of runners from all over the U.S. and Eastern Canada each year. From Cathedral Pines in Eustis to downtown Kingfield, despite the mountainous surroundings, Sugarloaf’s course is widely known as a fast course. The final 16 miles of the course have an elevation loss of 980 feet, helping to make it common for runners to have personal best times on this course.
Baxter Outdoors – Tundra 10K
Winter in Carrabassett Valley is truly a special time. Home to the highest concentration of 4000 foot peaks in Maine, CV is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
The Frozen Tundra 10k will take place in the heart of CV, beginning along the banks of the Carrabassett River. The course will consist of an approx 6-mile segment of snow covered trails with moderate elevation gain/loss.
Participants will have two race options to choose from. They’ll be able to choose either a nordic ski 5k + snowrun/snowshoe 5k (10k total) or a full snowrun/snowshoe 10k. For those choosing the full 10k run, the entirety of the course will take place on ungroomed single track trail. Depending on the conditions, either snowspikes or snowshoes are recommended. For the nordic ski 5k + snowrun/snowshoe 5k, the first half of the course will be groomed for a classic ski and second half will be ungroomed (snowshoes or snowspikes suggested.
There’s one more catch. You must carry all of your gear with you. Nordic racers must run the final three miles with their skis on their back while snowshoers who transition into a snowrun or vice versa must carry their snowshoes with them at all times (strapped to a backpack tends to work well). This race is both a test of athleticism and agility, pitting speed versus strategy. You’re free to run the whole thing and keep your kit light, but depending on conditions, that may actually slow you down!
The race will begin and end at the Carrabassett Valley town offices.
2012 marks 30 years of the Sugarloaf Marathon
May 20th is the 30th Annual Sugarloaf Marathon & 15K. The Sugarloaf Marathon is Maine’s oldest continuously run marathon, drawing over 1500 runners from all over the U.S. and Eastern Canada this year. Along Maine’s Scenic By-way Route 27, it is by far, the most scenic run imaginable w/ views of Flagstaff Lake & the Bigelow Range, & the road following the Carrabassett River to downtown Kingfield from Sugarloaf. The marathon has been ranked among the fastest in the country, and is the only Maine race which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. [Read more…]
