1st Annual Northeast Harbor Road Race 5-miler
August 19th, 1978

> From the Bar Harbor Times, August 10th, 1978

When Joe Green pulls the trigger for the start of the First Annual M.D.I. Marathon in Northeast Harbor on Saturday, August 19th, at 10:30 a.m., the participants will be running for their health in more ways than one. The proceeds of the race will benefit the NEH Ambulance Fund.
The 5 mile will begin in front of the Fire House on Main Street and continue up the hill past the bank, the library, and Wallace's. From there the course winds down towards the golf club and on up Sargent's Drive where it doubles back after picking up a check point at the Town Garage. The Homestretch is an easy(?) trot up Joy Road, passing the elementary school, the library agaiin, and back down the hill to the finish in town.
Chief of Police Murphy will control traffic with one cruiser leading the pack, another bringing up the rear. A total of 10 prizes donated by town merchants comprise the booty for several different winners. Nike, a running shoe company in California, is providing flags for markers, numbers distributed to runners on the day of the race, and T-shirts also for the winners.

In addition to a $3 entry fee, sponsorships are welcome, and checks may be payable to the Northeast Harbor Ambulance Fund, c/o Race Hdqts.
Refreshments will be served afterwards and spectators are urged to hoot and holler. And even if a block is as far as you go, remember it's the thought that counts!

> From the Bar Harbor Times, August 24th, 1978

Victory For The Runners, The Firemen And The Ambulance

Main Street, Northeast Harbor, teemed with sprinters, runners and joggers last Saturday as 145 entrants gathered in front of the Firehouse to enroll in the First Annual MDI Marathon Race, held for the benefit of the NEH Ambulance Fund.

With one hour to go, five of the participants jogged down the hill from the library, completing a two-mile "warmup" jaunt. These five runners, all graduates of MDI High School, were "just getting loose for the race." It must have worked. Three of them, Jon Howland of Salisbury Cove, Mike Westphal of Cranberry Island and Larry Allen of Bar Harbor wound up with 1st, 2nd and 4th places in the Marathon.

Just before 11:00, Frank Baltzell announced the rules for the five mile marathon and the runners bunched behind the starting line waiting for Joe Green to fire the starting gun. On your mark, get set, go and they were off, up the hill past the bank, the library and Wallace's towards Sargent's Drive with spectators and supporters cheering them on. Along the way, residents emerged from homes to slow down passing cars and to cool the runners with water from garden hoses. Biker Henry Agnese paced them, fending off cars and offering friendly encouragement.
They must have been traveling very fast for the front runners arrived at the turning point just as this reporter, who had quickly driven the long way around, reached the scene. Mike Westphal followed by Jon Howland, Dirck Bradt and Larry Allen flung out their arms for stamps by checkpointers Shep Harris and gus Borda, turned and rushed back down Sargent Drive.

Meanwhile, back in Northeast Harbor, the fire whistle blew and fire engines and volunteer firemen roared through the waiting crowd to assist in a woods fire in Seal Harbor.

Minutes later, the first runner, Jon Howland appeared and dashed across the finish line to the excited cries of the exuberant spectators. As each exhausted but elated contestant came in, enthusiastic applause burst from the jubilant crowd. Notes were compared, backs were slapped and bodies were cooled off with the hose from Dick's Texaco. The last racers ran home just before the fire engines returned.

Winners in the several classes were:

Over-all Open Class:
1st place- Jon Howland, 28:10
2nd place- Mike Westphal, 28:37
3rd place- Dirck Bradt, 29:45

Ladies
1st place- Joan Westphal
2nd place- Kathy Westphal
3rd place- Kathy Sarns

Ages 18 and under
1st place- Pat Will
2nd place- John Fox
3rd place- Gary Bisow

Over 50
1st place- J.R. MaGuire
2nd place- Tom Franklin
3rd place- Winn Arias

Masters over 30-50
1st place- Dirck Bradt
2nd place- Alan Presby
3rd place- Dick Church

Triumphant Jon Howland, with beaming face, explained that it was a tough race and that Mike Westphal gave him a hard time throughout it. Many agreed that it was a good course and a terrific and well-run race.

Organizer of the marathon, Courteney Jenkins wished to give a special thanks to the Northeast Harbor Police and Fire Departments, to the "Sewing Room" and Hinckley's (who made the banner); to private sponsors, Nick Harris, Mrs. T Courteney Jenkins and Redmond Finney; to his assistants, Devie Hopkins, Frank Baltzell and family, Shep Harris, Gus Borda, Nick Penniman, Dan Falt, and Dennis Jenkins and to NEH merchants and the bank for donating the prizes.

It was a great race, thoroughly enjoyed by both participants and spectators, and all for the benefit of the Northeast Harbor Ambulance Fund which provides a free service for town residents.