Anyone planning a fall wedding hoping to have ideal weather conditions ought to consider holding their special day in concert with the Maine Marathon.

Sunday, yet again, the marathon was run in comfortable early fall weather, as a record number of finishers took part in the race, which traverses Portland, Falmouth, Cumberland and Yarmouth.

“We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather 13 years in a row,” said race co-director Howard Spear. “We had a big crowd. I heard the course entertainment was great. We had 78 different performers. We had over 600 volunteers this year. You’ll see a lot of lime-colored backpacks around (all runners and volunteers received one).”

The 19th annual race once again produced many highlights.

Jeremy Adler, of New York City, repeated as marathon champion, finishing in 2 hours, 36 minutes, 35 seconds.

“The winner was very gracious,” said Spear. “He said it was the best course he’s ever run. That’s great PR for us.”

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Jenny Jorgensen, of Glastonbury, Conn., won the women’s competition in 3:00:55.

Yarmouth’s Byrne Decker, who won the marathon as recently as 2006, was second in the Maine Masters division (2:50:10). Freeport’s Jack May was third among Maine Masters (2:56:19). Atlanta’s Steven Kruger was tops in the wheelchair (4:15:19). Chris Oppenlander was the fastest racewalker (4:40:53).

Nicholas Wheeler was the winner of the half-marathon in 1:09:16. Katherine Marshall, of Bellaire, Texas, was the fastest female in the half-marathon (1:23:29). Portland’s Andrea Newton was second (1:26:49). Martha Leggat, of North Yarmouth, came in third (1:28:32).

A record was set with 2,030 finishers in the half-marathon. Just over 1,000 runners competed the marathon and there were 75 relay teams. Sheri Piers, Kristin Barry, Josh Zolla and Rob Gomez set a new record winning the relay in 2:21:22.

Spear said that next year’s race will be held on Oct. 2. It will be the marathon’s 20th edition.

“We hope to do something special,” he said. “We’re at our limit. We’re happy with our numbers and fees. People from out of state comment on how our race is so inexpensive.”

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Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.

Sidebar Elements


New York City’s Jeremy Adler celebrates after winning the 19th annual Maine Marathon Sunday.

Jenny Jorgensen was first among the women in the race, finishing in a shade over three hours.


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