Lace’m up! Plenty of area races to compete in this summer

Saturday, July 4

4 on the Fourth, Bridgton

Start time: 8 a.m.

Registration is only online. There will be no race day or early pick-up registration. Registration will close after 2,200 runners have registered or at 8 p.m. today, July 2. Race Director Jim Cossey thinks the race could hit the 2,2000 capped number.

“We are still receiving camper registrations — four camps out of 11 have submitted registrations — the others will come tomorrow (Wednesday) at the latest. Expecting 525 to 550 to run,” Cossey reported Tuesday. “In addition to the campers, there are 23 sponsors registered (complimentary registrations) and 1,486 online registrations with more of both of these expected (40-45 sponsors total and 1575 to 1,600 online.”

Total registration Tuesday — counting the expected camper count — is  2,050. Cossey is guessing registration will total 2,150 to 2,200 this year.”

“We’re getting 40 to 50 online registrations every day now,” he said.

The 4 on the Fourth is a four-mile road race run on a scenic and somewhat hilly back roads loop back to downtown.

Wednesday, July 8

5K by the Lake, Harrison

Start time: 7 p.m., rain or shine

Race Day registration: 5 to 6:45 p.m. at the Harrison Town Office.

Fee: $18 after July 1. ($3 off for Harrison residents). T-shirts free to the first 100 pre-registered runners. Receive a Whoopie Pie at the finish line!

Bib Drawings and Raffle Prizes: Assorted prizes from local businesses and individuals (need to be present to win)

Course: Honest 5K course, starting line for the run is in front of the Antique Store by the Harrison Grange Hall, follow Route 117 around the end of Long Lake toward North Bridgton, continue along Route 117 until you turn left onto Brickyard Hill Road, stay on Brickyard Hill Road until you bear right out to Route 117 and take an immediate left following Route 117 for a very short distance where you will take another immediate left (loops around the Bridgton Academy Beach) and then follow the same route back into Harrison, then right onto Lincoln Street just after the Village Tie-Up and Grange Hall. Finish line is at the Post Office.

Category winners (M/F) age divisions: 1-5, 6-12,13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-plus, top Harrison finishers, youngest finisher, Middle of the Pack finisher, top local camper finishers.

Contact: Race Director Kelly Meuse at 408-510-4119.

Saturday, July 18

Sebago Days Family Fun Run at 8 a.m. More information to come.

2015 Lovell OHD 5k Design copyEleventh Annual Lovell Old Home Days 5K Run

Starting time: 9:45 a.m.

The first 100 registered runners will receive a commemorative t-shirt designed by Fryeburg Academy student Phoebe Crowe while the top male and female finishers receive an award designed by Conway glassblower Nathan Macomber.

Proceeds benefit the Lovell Recreation Department and the Old Home Days Parade.

Fee: Prior to July 10, the entry fee is $13 and then $18 through race day.

Registration: Runners may register online at www.Running4free.com or download an entry form at www.lovell5k.com.

Contact: Race Director Stan Tupaj at 207-925-1500 or stan@fairpoint.net.

Saturday, July 25

Casco Days Country Run, 37th year

Start: 9:30 a.m.

Casco Days logo copyWebsite: www.cascodays.com

Come run our 4.0 mile foot race and then enjoy the fun and festivities of Casco Days! This race is sponsored by the Casco Fire Association.

Registration will be taken the day of the race between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. at the Casco Community Center on Route 121 in Casco Village. All contestants are required to check in at registration prior to the start of the race, even if they are pre-registered. The first 250 pre-registrants ($18 fee) will receive a Casco Days Road Race t-shirt.

Awards are given to the top two female and male race winners, and to all category winners and runners up.

Saturday, August 1

Tour de Lovell bike race will be held at 8 a.m.

STEVE LAPOINTE at the Tour de Lovell .

STEVE LAPOINTE at the Tour de Lovell .

Register online at www.bikereg.com.

The Tour is a scenic 21.3-mile bike ride through the town of Lovell. Sponsored by the Lovell Recreation Department, the Tour has three categories: Road (Performance-Racing Bicycle), Touring (Mountain-Comfort Bicycle) and Kid’s Tour (Under 14-all bicycles). The Road and Touring categories will have age groups and gender divisions.

Course: The 21.3-mile out and back course begins at New Suncook School on Route 5, travels north to Route 5A, back onto Route 5 through North Lovell to the turnaround and heads back to the finish line. Along the way, cyclists will encounter beautiful vistas of the White Mountains as well as challenging terrain.

The Kid’s Tour is a four-mile course and starts two minutes after the other categories.

All participants will receive refreshments and will be eligible to participate in a raffle. The first 50 21.3-mile tour entrants and the first 20 Kid’s tour entrants will receive a t-shirt.

Fee: If registered prior to July 31, fees are $25 for the road and touring categories and $10 for the Kid’s category. After July 31, fees are $35 and $15, respectively.

Contact: Meg Dyer at 207-925-1440 for further information.

Saturday, August 8

Dole Three Miler, Fryeburg

Start: 8 a.m.

Where: The Mountain Division Rail Trail at the Maine State Visitor Center, 97 Main Street (Route 302), Fryeburg.

Fee: $20 in advance, $25 on Race Day

Proceeds benefit: Fryeburg New Church Assembly, the Fryeburg New Church, and the Mountain Division Rail Trail

Website: www.dole3miler.com

Saturday, August 15

8th Annual Great Adventure Challenge, Bridgton

SP 72 gac kayak3Start: 9 a.m.

This one of a kind event includes 2.5 miles of kayaking on Moose Pond followed by 16.5+ miles of mountain biking that takes you around Pleasant Mountain followed by a 2 mile trek/run/dash up to the top and down the face of Shawnee Peak ski area.

This event is in its eighth year and has received rave reviews for its professionalism and fun factor. The Challenge can be completed by individuals or teams of up to three. Each team member must complete a full leg of the event.  Legs cannot be divided. This event is not for the “faint of heart” nor does it require “Iron Man” abilities.

Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. at Shawnee Peak. Pre-registration online and is encouraged. This can be done at www.maineadventureracing.com or search The Great Adventure Challenge. There is an four minute video/slide show on the home page that captures the essence of the event. It’s worth a watch.

Costs: Individuals $60 and teams $150. All entry  fees go to the benefit of adults with developmental difficulties in western Maine. A wonderful lunch is provided for every competitors, as well as one support person.  All competitors get a free t-shirt. Ice cream  served free all day.

Trophies are awarded for top finishers at the end of the event.

Saturday, September 19

Loon Echo Trust Trek, Bridgton

loon-vector-650x245Start: At Shawnee Peak Ski Area, West Bridgton

Loon Echo Trek offers 25 to 100 mile rides, hike-bike combo plus gentler, family-friendly options.

New this year, a $15 early bird discount is available to all who register before midnight on July 19. Additionally, early registrants have a chance at a stay at The Oxford House Inn. This getaway includes an overnight​ at ​an inviting guest room, a three-course dinner for two and a full breakfast.

The event features Maine’s toughest century bicycle ride, with 100 miles of terrain over roadways and through national forests. Other gentler 75-, 50- and 25-mile biking options are popular, as well as the hike bike combo and family-friendly hikes up Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton. All routes promise breath-taking scenery plus rest stops with refreshments and support.

New this year, the post-Trek afternoon celebration at the base of Shawnee Peak will feature Crooked River Rough Cut, a local acoustic band, and yummy food inspired by the vista.

The event supports the Loon Echo Land Trust’s mission of conserving and caring for land, including southern Maine’s highest mountain. To that end, participants are encouraged to get pledges of support, with top fundraisers earning an overnight yurt stay or a 2015 season passes at Maine’s top skiing destinations, among other prizes.

Website: For more information or to register, visit LoonEchoTrek.org.