While thousands of runners will be making their way from Hopkinton to Boston on Monday, hundreds more will be competing in Maine’s oldest road race.
The 85th Portland Boys and Girls Club Patriots Day 5-Miler is scheduled for a noon start from 277 Cumberland Ave. in the state’s largest city.
Louie Luchini of Ellsworth is the defending overall champion, leading a field of 372 runners across the finish line with a time of 24:02 last year. Meredith Anderson of Portland is the two-time defending women’s champion, winning last year in 31:14.
The race had been held on Sundays since 2009 in an effort to increase turnout but was moved back to Monday this year so it wouldn’t conflict with Easter.
Proceeds from the race are used annually to support college scholarships for deserving high school seniors associated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine, but this year a portion of the proceeds will go to The One Fund Boston to honor those affected by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings.
Record turnout expected at Sugarloaf
More than 1,500 runners from around the country are expected to gather at Sugarloaf for the 32nd annual Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K on Sunday, May 18.
The number of registrants for the two races represents the continuation of a recent spike in interest in the races. Marathon organizers expect this year’s turnout to top the current record of 1,365 in 2012.
The race is Maine’s oldest continuously run marathon and also ranks as one of the nation’s fastest. Despite its mountainous setting, the course is primarily flat or downhill, ending with a gradual, 16-mile descent that often leads to personal-best times for the runners.
Sugarloaf is an official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, certified by U.S.A. Track & Field.
Runners still may register for the marathon for $85, and registration for the Sugarloaf 15K is $43. There will be no on-site or race-day registration for either race. Registration will close May 5 or when the total field for the two races reaches 1,600 runners. Interested runners should visit www.sugarloaf.com/marathon for online registration.