This year marked the 40th edition of the Tour du Lac 10 Miler in Bucksport. My first “tour” around Silver Lake was either 1979 or 1980, I’ll have to check my old running logs. Back then the race was directed by Anne and Steve Norton. Anne was the cross country coach and French teacher at Bucksport High School – hence the unique name of the race. The course has several monster hills but they come in the middle of the course and help make the race interesting – just pray for a cloudy, cool day. The race has always drawn some talented runners over the years. In the 1970’s and 80’s Maine legends like Ralph Thomas, Robin Emery, Ziggy Gillespie, Gerry Clapper, Jim Newett, and Sheila Hodges ruled the course and it took a time under 60 minutes to break into the top 20. When the Nortons retired from directing the race, Fred and Joan Merriam took over the race directing duties from their home just a few hundred yards off the course and the race became a Sub 5 Track Club event. The race is now directed and curated (it was the first road race inducted into the Maine Running Hall of Fame in 2010) by Chris and Margaret Jones. The Jones’ have honored the tradition of the race and have implemented new innovations such as homemade jams for awards and recognizing runners who have completed 10 Tours. Close to 50 runners have achieved this status and new inductees into the 100 Mile Club receive a framed certificate that playfully questions their sanity for even attempting such a feat.
I love returning to the Tour du Lac every year. To see old friends and catch up on their lives. To become reacquainted with course features such as the big hill at mile 5, the smell of strawberries from Silveridge Farm, the first glimpse of the sparkling water of Silver Lake, the two cemeteries that always seem like a good place to lay down and rest, the quad pounding steep downhill at mile 9, and the long straightaway down Broadway to the finish line by the swimming pool. To see the sense of accomplishment in runner’s faces as they cross the finish line. Their stiff legged walk as they go up to receive their awards. These days I observe these events from behind a camera lens but I know I’ll keep coming back every year to participate in this legendary Maine race.
Members of the 100 Mile Club
2019 Sub 5 Annual Awards Banquet
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Glendon RandOctober 2018 Newsletter
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Glendon RandYou can read the latest issue of our club newsletter at this link.
Sub 5 / Tradewinds Market Race Series Banquet – 1/20/18
/0 Comments/in Race Series /by Glendon RandJoin us for the 2017 Sub 5 Track Club/ Tradewinds Road Race Series Awards Banquet
January 20, 2018 5:00 p.m.
Sea Dog Banquet Center
Bangor, Maine
Celebrate the races and achievements of the
2017 year. Race series awards and special awards will be awarded. The Sub 5 Band, Sub 5 Quiz and race series raffle are also back by popular demand.
Social with appetizers and beverages begins at 5pm, dinner begins at about 615pm.
June 2017 Newsletter Posted
/0 Comments/in Club Info /by Glendon RandNewsletter Editor Pam Nourse has published the latest issue of the Sub 5 newsletter. Read about the Disney Half-Marathon that should-have-been by Kim Shire, articles by Tim Cole and John Tjepkema, a president’s letter from Johanna Szillery, essays from our track camp scholarship recipients, and much more. Download newsletter by clicking here…
March 2017 Sub 5 Board Minutes
/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Glendon RandThe Sub 5 board met in March 30, 2017. Items discussed were the Sub 5/Tradewinds Race Series, upcoming races, club clothing, the club newsletter, and membership benefits. Click here to read the minutes.
2017 Annual Meeting Report
/0 Comments/in Club Info /by Glendon RandThe Sub 5 Track Club held it’s annual meeting on March 11, 2017. 14 club members gathered to discuss what the club is doing well and areas for improvement. The club currently has 71 household with 159 individual memberships. In elections for board positions, Johanna Szillery was elected president, Paul Tormey as vice-president, and Shane Martin as treasurer. Many thanks to John Peckenham for serving as club president for 4 years! New at-large board members are Deedra Dapice and Kim Shire. Check out the meeting minutes at the link below to see details about what was discussed.
Link to minutes…
September 2016 Newsletter is Out!
/0 Comments/in Newsletter /by Glendon RandCheck out the latest edition of our club newsletter. Articles from Matt Revitt on the Down East Sunrise Trail Relay, Shane Martin on his Cabot Trail adventures, profiles of our scholarship recipients, a story about Minnie Skirts from Kim Shire, Tradewinds/Sub 5 Race Series reports, and musings from our President John Peckenham. DOWNLOAD HERE
August 2015 Newsletter Is Out!
/0 Comments/in Newsletter /by Glendon RandSub 5 newsletter editor Pam Nourse has delivered the latest issue of our club newsletter. You will find a spectator’s view of Boston 2015 by Dave Farrar, reports from the Cabot Trail Relay, Laura Nilson reflects on the life and work of George Sheehan, a report on the Sub 5 summer track workouts (thanks Coach Pete!), and much more. DOWNLOAD HERE!
Nicholas Boutin of OTHS Selected for Sub 5 College Scholarship
/0 Comments/in Scholarships /by Glendon RandThe Sub 5 Track Club is pleased to announce that Nicolas Boutin of Old Town High School has been chosen as the 2015 recipient of the club’s annual college scholarship in the amount of $1000. Nick holds five OTHS records in indoor and outdoor track and is an eight-time state champion in the sprints. Nick will major in mathematical statistics at Colby College and will compete for the White Mules indoor and outdoor track and field teams.
Nick Boutin wins the 100m dash at the 2015 PVC Large School Championship Meet
“100 Mile Club”
/0 Comments/in Road Races /by Glendon RandThis year marked the 40th edition of the Tour du Lac 10 Miler in Bucksport. My first “tour” around Silver Lake was either 1979 or 1980, I’ll have to check my old running logs. Back then the race was directed by Anne and Steve Norton. Anne was the cross country coach and French teacher at Bucksport High School – hence the unique name of the race. The course has several monster hills but they come in the middle of the course and help make the race interesting – just pray for a cloudy, cool day. The race has always drawn some talented runners over the years. In the 1970’s and 80’s Maine legends like Ralph Thomas, Robin Emery, Ziggy Gillespie, Gerry Clapper, Jim Newett, and Sheila Hodges ruled the course and it took a time under 60 minutes to break into the top 20. When the Nortons retired from directing the race, Fred and Joan Merriam took over the race directing duties from their home just a few hundred yards off the course and the race became a Sub 5 Track Club event. The race is now directed and curated (it was the first road race inducted into the Maine Running Hall of Fame in 2010) by Chris and Margaret Jones. The Jones’ have honored the tradition of the race and have implemented new innovations such as homemade jams for awards and recognizing runners who have completed 10 Tours. Close to 50 runners have achieved this status and new inductees into the 100 Mile Club receive a framed certificate that playfully questions their sanity for even attempting such a feat.
I love returning to the Tour du Lac every year. To see old friends and catch up on their lives. To become reacquainted with course features such as the big hill at mile 5, the smell of strawberries from Silveridge Farm, the first glimpse of the sparkling water of Silver Lake, the two cemeteries that always seem like a good place to lay down and rest, the quad pounding steep downhill at mile 9, and the long straightaway down Broadway to the finish line by the swimming pool. To see the sense of accomplishment in runner’s faces as they cross the finish line. Their stiff legged walk as they go up to receive their awards. These days I observe these events from behind a camera lens but I know I’ll keep coming back every year to participate in this legendary Maine race.
Members of the 100 Mile Club