Sebago Lake Marathon
August 24th, 1975

George Liming sent us this account of an early Ziggy Gillespie race from the Portland Evening Express.

GRIND GOES TO CHAMBERS

East Sebago- The inaugural Beech Lodge Sebago Lake marathon will always be memorable to the 23 hardy runners who defied head winds, driving rain and cold yesterday (Aug 24, 1975.)
Only nine survived the most unseasonal conditions. Chris Chambers of Sugarloaf A.C., who perhaps felt more comfortable in weather more suitable to skiing, went the 26-mile, 385-yard distance in two hours, 40 minutes, 32 seconds.
Tom Phillips of the Seacoast Striders was second in this true endurance contest. His time was 2:42:11.

John Noyes of the Maine Masters Club was third in 2:45:31.

Rating a laurel wreath for finishing under abominable conditions were Williams Moore, 2:46:13; Mike Kazilionis, Maine Track Club, 2:47:40; John Applin, 2:55:36; Eric Dombroski, 3:00:09; George Liming, Lewiston Recreation Track Club, 3:09:45; and Ronald Kmiiec, NMC, 3:09:57.

Jerry Crommett of the Maine Masters, who seems to be getting a second wind after almost 20 years of distance campaigning, had a four-minute lead at the halfway mark. The former Portland High cross-country standout boosted this bulge at the 16-mile mark, then was forced out of action by severe leg cramps.

Kazilionis, only a year removed from sports activity at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, South Portland, took over until the 20-mile mark.

Chambers, who has been exceptionally active in road racing on the New England circuit the past two months, then gained command.

He was a bit off the winning pace in his last start, in Massachusetts. Placing one-two in a seven-miler were Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic marathon old medal winner, and Bill Rodgers, 1975 Boston marathon victor.

Ed's note: The race started at 5 p.m. (obviously, to minimize the summer heat) and Zig lined up 60 merchandise awards. Did each finisher get six or did Chambers rent a trailor?