The following article came from the August, 1988 edition of Maine Running & Outing Magazine. Vol. 9. No. 8.

History: The race began in 1976 as a 4.4 mile (or so) race from Whitneyville Town Hall to lower Court St. in Machias in connection with the Machias Arts & Crafts Festival. The field of 23 runners was led by Wayne Stewart of the Fredericton, New Brunswick Track Club in 22:23, despite 90 - degree heat. The women's winner was Andrea Hatch in 30:27. In 1977, the race came under the direction of the Machias Blueberry Festival Committee and 22 runners negotiated the new loop course across Marshfield Ridge which is still being used. In 1978, the word had spread and the race surged in popularity. Harold Hatch (28:24) and Robin Emery (31:38) led 80 runners across the line. Hatch began a tradition in which the male winners have returned for a successful defense of their titles. Only once since has a male winner (Peter Millard, 25:37, in 1983) failed to defend his title at least once, and only a medical mission to Zimbabwe could lure him away. After Hatch repeated in 1979 and 1980, Michael Gaige set the course standards with his 25:11 in 1981 and the course record of 24:45 in 1982. Gaige remains the only person ever to break 25 minutes on the course. Steve Carle was the 1984 and 1985 winner, and Jonesboro's Bruce Bridgham is the 1986 and 1987 champion, with a chance of equaling Harold Hatch's standard of three straight wins.

With the exception of Andrea Hatch (1976, 1979, 1980), the women's race has not featured successful defending champions. The only other multiple winner is Robin Emery-Rappa (1978 - 1985). Despite the performances of Hatch, Emery-Rappa and Cynthia Lynch (1982 winner) the women's record remains Amy Campbells 31:13 set in 1983.

For several years the race was run under the competent direction of Mike Worcester of the Machias Recreation Dept, but after Worcester had left that position, the organization suffered, and entries had declined from a high of 145 runners to 63. Then the fall of 1987, the town of Machias placed the race management with the Sunrise County Roadrunners, who have obtained major sponsorship and TAC course certification (ME-88005-GN). The race promises to be revived as the premier event of Washington County.

Preregistration 6.00 - includes long-sleeved T-shirt. Registration on race day is one dollar extra.