By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Eric Ashe made a strong first impression running in Bridgton’s 4 on the Fourth race.

The 34-year-old from Natick, Mass. nearly eclipsed the 20-minute mark to capture the 46th running for the popular four-miler. Ashe crossed the finish line in 20 minutes, 6 seconds (a 5.02-minute pace) to beat Scott Mindel, 35, of Burlington, Mass., who checked in at 20:19.

“This was my first time running the race. My Mom moved to Greenwood a few years ago and I saw this race was close by while I was visiting for the long weekend,” Ashe said. “I knew the race had a couple good hills and it typically takes close to 20 minutes to win the race. I ran a marathon two weeks ago in Minnesota and it went well, so I was confident in my strength but not so much my speed, so I wanted to be sure to keep the pace steady from the start.”

Ashe was really impressed with how well organized the race was. 

“I hope to make this a yearly tradition!” he added.

Meanwhile, returning women’s champ Heather Gallant, 41, of Wayne repeated with a time of 23:26 (good for 15th overall), ahead of Alexandra Mindel, 36, of Burlington, Mass., who turned in a 24:58 for 32nd overall.

When asked if she made any adjustments this Fourth, Gallant responded, “Yes, I made changes. I made a conscious effort to spend more training time running hills this spring, incorporating them into my long runs and easy runs more frequently.”

Her approach was “to be careful not to go out too fast in the first mile. Other than that, I knew I didn’t want to lose too much time on the second mile hills. I was able to shave some time off from last year and was pretty happy with the result.”

What does Gallant like about Bridgton’s race? “I love the challenge of the course and the enthusiasm of the race director and volunteers. It’s such a fun, upbeat event! The other draw for me is the crowd support; there’s nothing like having people all along the course cheering you on as you go by. It really helps keep you going and the Bridgton residents did not disappoint!”

When asked was the biggest challenge for the Grade 2 teacher at Monmouth Memorial School, she said, “The hills, of course. A mile and a half of fairly steady climbing is definitely a challenge!”

Report from the Race Director

Some fun facts from Race Director William Graham:

• Pastor Dave Albert of the Fryeburg Assembly of God Church gave a booming, spirited singing of the National Anthem.

• The air horn was fired by Dottie Cutter and Jim Chalmers at the traditional start line, near Food City on Main Street. 

• Almost 1600 people registered (125 of which were remote and virtual), just over 1300 runners finished the in-person race on a perfect Maine morning.

• The first place Bridgton winners were Laura Pulito at 25:24, and Micah Benson at 21:55.  

• Total finishers, 1304.

• Overall, there were runners registered from 37 states and the District of Columbia, and 10 foreign countries.  

• Many thanks to over 30 local and regional sponsors; the Bridgton Police and Fire Departments, and the on-call EMT teams from the Bridgton Hospital; and over 75 remarkable volunteers who made this major event such a success.  

Here’s the Top 25

1. Eric Ashe, 34, Natick, MA, 20:06

2. Scott Mindel, 35, Burlington, MA, 20:19

3. Joseph Reynolds, 37, Westbrook, 21;02

4. Andrew Mongiat, 25, Waterboro, 21:26

5. Chris Harmon, 34, Westbrook, 21;31

6. Caleb Grover, 23, Norway, 21:48

7. Micah Benson, 20, Bridgton, 21;55

8. Derrick Marshall, 29, Portland, 21:59

9. Matt Homich, 34, Portland, 22:23

10. Kevin O’Brien, 28, Attleboro, MA, 22:26

11. Sam Fletcher, 36, Auburn, 22:46

12. Sam Laverdiere, 14, Bridgton, 22:57

13. Ethan Seltzer, 24, New York, NY, 23:12

14. Silas Eastman, 27, Chatham, NH, 23:22

15.Heather Gallant, 41, Wayne, 23:26

16. Thomas Lyons, 19, Deerfield, MA, 23:26

17. Jack Benoit, 18, Dracut, MA, 23:39

18. Jake Hooper, 18, Harrison, PA, 23:54

19. Travis Brennan, 41, Portland, 24:00

20. Loren Kessel, 58, Portland, 24:06

21. Christopher McLeod, 37, Naples, 24:11

22. Scott Severson, 43, S. Pasadena, CA, 24:17

23. Louis Kail, 36, Bridgton, 24;18

24. Eric Darling, 49, Shelburne, VT, 24:23

25. Henry Osborn, 22, Weston, MA, 24:25

(Full results can be found at the race website)

Lake Region area finishers

30. Ed Wolfe, 24, Brownfield, 24:55

35. Dave Sheldrick, 47, Sebago, 25:15

36. Laura Pulito, 27, Bridgton, 25:23

38. Tim Cushing, 36, Bridgton, 25:32

48. Christian Bassett, 39, Casco, 26:08

49. Ken Ross, 60, Harrison, 26:09

53. Erik Martin, 42, Naples, 26:38

59. Kyle Rhoads, 52, Windham, 26:53

61. Anna Lastra, 24, Bridgton, 26:56

66. Aaron Schulte, 37, Bridgton, 27:03

72. Joshua Tucker, 43, North Bridgton, 27:22

86. Caleb Coombs, 15, Bridgton, 28:01

101. Floyd Lavery, 65, Sebago, 28:44

112. Brian Ladd, 61, Bridgton, 29:09

119. Paul America, 41, Bridgton, 29:24

122. Rebecca Weston, 44, Bridgton, 29:26

127. Matthew Plummer, 14, Naples, 29:36

133. Aiden Baker, 14, Harrison, 29:46

145. Greg Olen, 53, Bridgton, 30:10

148. Melissa Bubier, 35, Bridgton, 30:15

155. Tim Atwood, 36, North Bridgton, 30:27

157. PJ Ricatto, 59, Denmark, 30:29

160. Jason Nadeau, 39, Bridgton, 30:31

167. Conor Quinn, 22, Bridgton, 30:46

172. Merrick Iacozili, 14, Fryeburg, 30:50

175. Glen Roy, 61, Naples, 30:53

180. Jonathan Boos, 18, Naples, 31:00

182. Patricia Schulte, 39, Bridgton, 31:04

185. Tucker Roy, 25, Bridgton, 31:12

186. Jason Rosenberg, 41, Waterford, 31:18

194. Jeff Gagnon, 46, Bridgton, 31:33

195. Colin Murphy, 17, Bridgton, 31:39

206. Deanna Parker, 49, Denmark, 32:05

209. Ian St. John, 20, Naples, 32:10

220. Josh Harrington, 38, Denmark, 32:18

221. Samuel Carignan, 26, Bridgton, 32:19

228. Andrew Clear, 63, Fryeburg, 32:34

229. Kim Chase, 33, Raymond, 32:34

233. Frederick Robbins, 40, Bridgton, 32:43

235. Olivia Sennett, 26, Bridgton, 32:45

243. Keegan Brooks, 19, Raymond, 32:54

256. Erin Plummer, 39, Naples, 33:10

262. Craig Maloney, 36, Sebago, 33:19

271. Collin Varney, 13, Bridgton, 33:32

272. Kim Genecco, 39, Harrison, 33:33

276. Ethan Kutella, 15, Naples, 33:37

281. Kristen Huntress, 22, Harrison, 33:39

291. Abbigail Nadeau, 13, Bridgton, 33:55

304. Michelle Wheeler, 40, Bridgton, 34:04

307. Ricky Eng, 54, Waterford, 34:08

310. Jonah Eng, 19, Waterford, 34:13

315. Robert Greene, 51, Bridgton, 34:22

319. Mitchell Sperrey, 30, Hiram, 34:26

343. Sam Lariviere, 28, Casco, 34:59

346. Geo Ames, 58, Waterford, 35;02

357. James Hipkins, 45, Bridgton, 35:15

363. Brenda Bouchard, 60, Naples, 35:20

376. Bill Reilly, 74, Brownfield, 35:32

399. Jill McLaughlin, 31, Bridgton, 35:54

407. Sandra Iacozili, 44, Fryeburg, 36:06

410. Delia Fontana, 15, Naples, 36:07

412. Graeme Scales, 12, Bridgton, 36:12

415. Steven Mercer, 61, Naples, 36:16

432. Lucian Bassett, 15, Casco, 36:37

433. Lewis Kalmans, 53, Center Lovell, 36:37

443. Jon Jasse, 28, Bridgton, 36:52

444. Erin Sampson, 45, Casco, 36:53

447. Ben Kallander, 28, Bridgton, 37:00

451. Rachel Barker, 41, Bridgton, 37:02

456. Don Gallucci, 54, Bridgton, 37:11

457. Scott Sennett, 58, Bridgton, 37:12

470. Robert Pressman, 55, Bridgton, 37:29

473. Shamus Shea, 34, Raymond, 37:34

500. Marney Chalmers, 40, Portland, 38:05

501. Richard Zimmer, 61, Bridgton, 38:05

513. Rylee Brooks, 14, Raymond, 38:23

514. Cody Chute, 18, Bridgton, 38:27

525. Peter Brooks, 48, Raymond, 38:51

528. Rainie Wiemer, 37, Naples, 38:57

552. Jack Chandler, 70, Bridgton, 39:18

553. Zachary Mains, 32, Naples, 39:18

560. Sarah Becker, 36, Bridgton, 39:33

562. Chip Tuomi, 69, Harrison, 39:36

565. Elizabeth Simmerman, 41, Bridgton, 39:40

566. Stephen Simmerman, 43, Bridgton, 39:40

576. David Packard, 35, Bridgton, 39:59

578. John Nugent, 63, Hiram, 39:59

581. Ashley Pelletier, 16, Bridgton, 40:03

594. Dwayne Varney, 42, Bridgton, 40:18

597. Kate Riggs, 37, Naples, 40:21

599. Christy Snow, 32, Denmark, 40:22

601. Paul Lahaie, 32, Denmark, 40:23

617. Jaclyn Salevsky, 27, Harrison, 40:39

618. Henry Lowell, 9, Bridgton, 40:39

619. Aiden Coombs, 11, Bridgton, 40:39

620. Andrew Schmeltz, 23, Bridgton, 40:39

621. Sarah Spindell, 33, Sebago, 40:40

623. Madison Tripodi, 9, Bridgton, 40:41

626. Aerin Kalmans, 22, Center Lovell, 40:47

630. Anne Trumbull, 47, Fryeburg, 40:51

638. Kevin Daner, 57, Denmark, 41:03

650. Brian Chute, 32, Casco, 41:20

652. Sage Suorsa, 46, Bridgton, 41:23

653. Hannah White, 32, Bridgton, 41:26

655. Brandon Toomey, 46, Bridgton, 41:28

661. Cassie Lalemand, 26, Harrison, 41:37

668. Victoria Cavanaugh, 29, Bridgton, 41:40

669. Susan Prince, 60, Bridgton, 41:41

670. Todd Canedy, 50, Waterford, 41:45

675. Cody Doucette, 21, North Bridgton, 41:50

688. Rachel Jensen, 20, Naples, 42:03

697. Luke Lowell, 9, Bridgton, 42:12

705. Roxanne Ames, 52, Waterford, 42:18

712. Jason Nadeau Jr., 11, Bridgton, 42:22

719. Erica Allen, 32, Casco, 42:35

729. Bill Wood, 69, Harrison, 43:08

730. Karen Shea, 60, Raymond, 43:08

757. Rae-Ann Nguyen, 41, Casco, 43:52

763. Bruce Kimball, 54, Bridgton, 44:02

769. Kelly Cote, 36, Fryeburg, 44:07

781. Carrie Bush, 42, Bridgton, 44:20

785. Debbie Tripodi, 47, Bridgton, 44:27

791. Dean Flanagin, 58, Raymond, 44:39

800. Alicia Fontana, 13, Naples, 44:54

809. Melissa Rock, 50, Bridgton, 45:06

810. Lisa Anderson, 54, Sebago, 45:06

818. Marla Keefe, 68, Casco, 45:16

820. Gabby Eng, 21, Waterford, 45:19

821. Taylor Morgan, 29, Denmark, 45:21

824. Paige Rockwell, 7, Bridgton, 45:23

828. Kelly Rockwell, 41, Bridgton, 45;25

829. Benjamin Kemp, 10, Casco, 45:26

830. Brianna Day, 35, Naples, 45:26

845. Erica Green, 51, Naples, 45:43

853. Martyn James, 54, Bridgton, 46:00

860. Lila Lowell, 11, Bridgton, 46:26

861. Micaela Reed, 16, Bridgton, 46:28

864. Lisa Candelora, 31, Lovell, 46:35

865. Paul Tworog, 66, Bridgton, 46:37

871. Maura Sousa, 54, Naples, 46:46

872. Daniel Richards, 60, Bridgton, 46:46

874. Nancy Kluck, 69, Bridgton, 46:47

878. Alec Brooks, 19, Raymond, 46:59

884. Jennifer Quinn, 55, Bridgton, 47:22

888. Jennifer Lewis, 46, Casco, 47:43

892. Sean Edwards, 56, Bridgton, 47:50

899. Paul Webber, 57, Bridgton, 47:59

901. Janet Guidi, 68, Harrison, 48:08

904. Leigh Hayes, 63, Bridgton, 48:14

905. Allen Hayes, 68, Bridgton, 48:15

914. Angie Rosenberg, 42, Waterford, 48:49

915. Emily Baker, 42, Harrison, 48:50

918. Bob Wentworth, 68, Fryeburg, 48:55

922. Laurie Allen, 55, Bridgton, 49:14

924. Nichole Johnson, 38, Casco, 49:16

926.  Tom Gilmore, 64, Denmark, 49:22

928. Paul Sousa, 55, Naples, 49:29

940. Kelly Willard, 47, Fryeburg, 49:49

941. Claire Lowell, 12, Sweden, 49:50

942. Erin Green, 12, Naples, 49:50

943. Carl Iacozili, 46, Fryeburg, 49:51

944. Helena Sheldrick, 13, Sebago, 49:51

946. Paxton Iacozili, 7, Fryeburg, 49:52

947. Ann Lowell, 44, Bridgton, 49:54

952. Rob Tripodi, 50, Bridgton, 50:06

958. Paul St. John, 58, Naples, 50:28

959. Denise St. John, 54, Naples, 50:29

984. Alice O’Connor, 16, Bridgton, 52:11

985. Tyler Jones, 16, Casco, 52:11

987. Beth Brown, 53, Bridgton, 52:19

990. Megan Regis, 40, 52:37

999. Kim Flanagin, 59, Raymond, 53:14

1001. Roger Lowell, 74, Bridgton, 53:20

1003. Will Rhys, 77, Bridgton, 53:36

1005. Robyn Kiernan, 39, Bridgton, 53:41

1006. Dermot Kiernan, 5, Bridgton, 53:41

1011. Wayne Allen, 66, Bridgton, 54:07

1020. Marcia Uhl, 69, Fryeburg, 54:43

1027. William O’Connor, 50, Bridgton, 55:25

1029. Kensi Varney, 9, Bridgton, 55:31

1034. Laura Varney, 38, Bridgton, 55:59

1041. Shauna Perry Smith, 40, Naples, 56:29

1046. Leslie Kutasi, 63, Bridgton, 57:02

1055. Charm Woods, 21, Naples, 57:25

1056. Tali Kalmans, 18, Center Lovell, 57:33

1061. Ashley Tripodi, 11, Bridgton, 57:51

1085. Rebecca Tracy, 67, Raymond, 59:17

1086. Joe Balchunas, 68, Sebago, 59:30

1098. Sarah Depoian, 72, Harrison, 1:01.10

1106. Ellie Whetzel, 38, Bridgton, 1:02.08

1148. Jennifer O’Connor, 47, Bridgton, 1:06.25

1151. Gay Main, 69, Bridgton, 1:06.34

1175. Shannon Engstrand, 29, Bridgton, 1:08.21

1176. Ian Engstrand, 40, Bridgton, 1:08.22

1181. Lily Toohey, 8, Denmark, 1:08.54

1182. Jessie Toohey, 42, Denmark, 1:08.55

1188. Dermot Kiernan, 49, Bridgton, 1:09.08

1189. Ryan Kiernan, 8, Bridgton, 1:09.09

1196. Cindy Fontana, 51, Naples, 1:09.28

1197. John Fontana, 51, Naples, 1:09.30

1204. Rebecca Muise, 27, Bridgton, 1:09.52

1205. Mary Wood, 37, Bridgton, 1:09.53

1210. Arthur McDougall, 50, Bridgton, 1:10.10

1220. William Warren, 85, Bridgton, 1:11.33

1240. Jen Packard, 52, Bridgton, 1:14.19

1241. John Crowley, 66, Bridgton, 1:14.20

1242. Patrick Thompson, 34, Bridgton, 1:14.40

1243. Iona Hagl, 29, Bridgton, 1;15.50

1253. Silvia Campos, 33, Bridgton, 1:15.31

1254. Yeshe Hagl, 31, Bridgton, 1:15.31

1255. Jeffrey Packard, 39, Bridgton, 1:15.34

1267. Denis Roy, 65, Bridgton, 1:16.33

1269. Susie Roy, 62, Bridgton, 1:16.35

1275. Susan Biggs, 75, Harrison, 1:17.38

1297.  Eloise Blanchard, 77, Bridgton, 1:19.40

1299. Gordon Blanchard, 77, Bridgton, 1:19.42

1301. Jeanne Finnerty, 59, North Bridgton, 1:19.45

1302. Kathleen Reilly, 60, North Bridgton, 1:19.48