Aroostook River race from Washburn to PI is Saturday

Contributed photo
GRAND CHAMPIONS — The grand champions  of last year’s Aroostook River Fun Run was the two-man canoe team of Mark Ranco of Bangor and Ron Bomberger, a summer resident on East Grand Lake from Manheim, Pa., who turned in the fastest time of 54 minutes, 20 seconds over the 8-mile flatwater course.
    WASHBURN — With the recent rain and a prediction of sunshine for Saturday, May 19, the important elements of a successful Aroostook River Fun Run are coming together.
    Sponsored by the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotary Clubs, this year marks the fifth time paddlers from Danforth to Fort Kent have competed for bragging rights and a healthy dose of fresh air and exercise in the eight-mile flatwater race that starts at Thomas Brewer Park and ends at the PI Fish and Game Club. For those who prefer to pedal, a bike excursion along the rail trail is also planned this year.
    The race day’s activities will begin with registration at Washburn’s Thomas Brewer Park starting at 8 a.m. with the competition set for 10 a.m. and ending 60 to 90 minutes later at the Fish and Game Club in Presque Isle with lunch and awards. A courtesy bus is available to shuttle racers back to Washburn to retrieve their vehicles.
    Rotarians managing the finish line of the race will declare the winners in a variety of categories who will be awarded miniature wooden paddle trophies for their efforts. Prizes, including an Old Town kayak, donated by the clubs and other sponsors will be randomly awarded to event participants. After the award ceremony, paddlers will be offered a barbecue lunch, sponsored by The Aroostook Medical Center.
    The entry fee is $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $10 for youth. The first 75 entrants will receive a Fun Run T-shirt. For more information on the race or to register, contact Putnam at 764-4471 (editor@nepublish.com) or download a registration form directly from the PI Rotary website www.pirotaryclub.org.