Andy Goupee of Dedham and Jennifer VanDongen of Bar Harbor led the pack over the finish line in the Wildlands Trail Run Sunday, October 30. Fifty-six runners from around the state turned out for the first race in the 2016 Downeast Double Trouble Trail Race Series, a 6.3-mile dash across Oak and Flag Hills and Flying Moose Mountain in the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands. Goupee, 35, who won the race in 2014 and was crowned Double Trouble Champ in 2015 (coming in 2nd in the Wildlands Run and winning the Frenchman Bay Conservancy’s Autumn Trail Run), came in this year with a time of 44:58. VanDongen, 38, has been the female winner for four years, and is also undefeated as Double Trouble Champion; her time was 50:01. She came in sixth overall.
Second and third-place men’s winners were Eric Mauricette, 25, of Grand Lake Stream, with a time of 46:04, and J. Chase Reidelbach, 22, of Virginia Beach (a student at Maine Maritime Academy), coming in at 47:01. Second place in the women’s division went to Dara Knapp, 38, of Columbia Falls, with a time of 53:55, and third was Maddy Glover, 28, of Ellsworth, 56:54. Full race results are available HERE. Check out Hans Krichels’ race photos HERE.
Sunday, Nov. 6 is the second race in the Downeast Double Trouble series—Frenchman Bay Conservancy’s Autumn Trail Run. This race—with a choice of 4 or 8-mile course—starts and finishes at 11 am at Sumner Memorial High School in Sullivan. Steep climbs, granite ledges and gorgeous views are the reward. Cost is $25 to register on race day. Those who run both races are eligible for special prizes, and earn a Double Trouble Trail Race tote. Visit www.frenchmanbay.org for more information.
Both races are sponsored by Hancock County land trusts and proceeds benefit local land conservation and public trails.
Thanks to our sponsors: Stanley Subaru; Awards, Signage & Trophies; Nick Vachon, Podiatrist; Dave’s Tractor Services; Curtis Family Shoe; MacLeod’s Restaurant; Tradewinds Market; Woodland Studios; Cadillac Mountain Sports; Morton’s Moo. And thanks to those donating door prizes: Hannaford’s Supermarket (Bar Harbor), Cadillac Mountain Sports, China Joy, A&B Naturals, Jordan’s Restuarant, Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium, Trailhead Cafe, EPI Pizza, Pat’s Pizza.
Photo of VanDongen crossing the finish by Hans Krichels