CARRABASSETT VALLEY – With cool temperatures and overcast skies providing ideal conditions for runners, Eric Rudolph, 29, of Ellsworth, won the 31st Annual Sugarloaf Marathon this morning in 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 26 seconds. Nicole Santos, 25, of West Lebanon, N.H. took home the title in the women’s division, with a time of 2:55:41.
Rudolph set a personal record in capturing his first ever title at the Sugarloaf Marathon, and finished nearly three minutes ahead of his closest competitor, Robert Asbhy, 43, of Brunswick, who finished with a time of 2:41:20. Rounding out the top three for the men was Sean McDonouch, 30, of Somerville, MA, who crossed the line in 2:42:06.
Santos soundly defeated the rest of the women’s field, finishing nearly 20 minutes in front of runner-up Deborah Slason of Goffstown, N.H., who finished the race in 3:16:20. Kelsey Karkos of Boston, Mass., took third place with a time of 3:18:19.
In the 15k, PJ Gorneault, 34, of Caribou, crossed the line in first place for men in a blistering time of 48 minutes and 50 seconds, while Jenna Krajewski, 33, of Hallowell, emerged as the women’s champion with at time of 55:36.4.
The Sugarloaf Marathon is sponsored by Landry French Construction and is Maine’s oldest continuously run marathon. As an official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon certified by the United States Track and Field Association (USATF), the Sugarloaf Marathon is wildly popular among running enthusiasts. Despite its mountainous setting, the course is primarily downhill and ends with a gradual 16 mile descent. Marathon runners regularly record personal-best times at Sugarloaf.
All proceeds from the marathon go to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust, which is a private, nonprofit trust dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities that make up the Sugarloaf Area. Last year the marathon raised more than $14,000 for the Trust, which was distributed to deserving organizations in the Sugarloaf area.
The top three men and women in each race receive cash prizes, and all entrants receive a t-shirt, post-race breakfast, massage, and a finisher’s medal. Race results can be seen here.
