If You Didn’t Get Into Beach To Beacon-Run This Historic Maine Race Instead!

Hey, if you didn't get into the Beach to Beacon today, no worries. Have we got an amazing road race for YOU.  And it's only a month away. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine Alumni Association will hold its 90^th annual Patriot’s Day Race for the Kids on Saturday, April 13, in downtown Portland. The race, the second oldest in the country, raises money for the Alumni Association’s scholarship program and features both a 5K and 5 Miler course. Runners can register online at www.bgcmaine.org/race.

Yup, only the Boston Marathon is older than this road race. And you can be part of its history in 2019...the 90th anniversary!

This year’s race will feature legendary runner Robin of Emery of Ellsworth, who in 1972 was the first woman to run in the race. Emery has gone on to win the women’s division nine times, making her winningest runner in the race’s long history. Emery is also the subject of a new book, Robin Emery: Maine's First Lady of Road Racing, by former Portland Press Herald sports writer Ed Rice.

“Robin Emery has been an inspiration to Maine runners for 50 years, and we are very excited to welcome her back to our race this year,” said Howie Chadbourne. “90 years is a major milestone for us, and we hope that runners from around the state will join Robin in celebrating with us and making this our best race ever.”

Now the really cool thing about this race is that you can run a 5K or a 5-miler. The race will begin at the Portland Company complex at 58 Fore St. and end at Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine Portland clubhouse at 277 Cumberland Ave. Check-in and same-day registration will be at 8:30 a.m. The 5 Miler will start at 9:00 a.m., with the 5K getting underway at 9:15 a.m. In addition to runners, Chadbourne said that about 60 volunteers are needed to help with registration and course safety.

Runners are encouraged to register online. The first 250 to register will receive an official Patriots Day Race t-shirt and the first 700 runners to finish will receive a gift bag and ticket to a Portland Sea Dogs game. First place male and female age group winners will be announced for both courses in the different age groups.