“Up and over. Up and over.” Nine-year-old Hadley Mahoney of Cape Elizabeth said she repeated those words, a mantra suggested by her mom/coach, as she raced the rainy Cape Challenge 5K last Sunday.

There were many runners ahead of Hadley to start, but she started passing them after the first mile. And when she approached the finish, she raced in “like a cheetah,” she said.

And in doing so, Hadley won the women’s division, in 21 minutes, 33 seconds. Hadley does not wear a watch, she explained, but believes she ran even splits (6:57 pace). That put her in 13th place overall.

Hadley, a third-grader, is one of five daughters of Mike and Andie Mahoney. Her twin, Brooke, and sister Caroline, 13, raced a fine 23:03 and 26:33, respectively. And Maddie, 11, won the mile in 6:44.

The Mahoney girls participate in the Cape schools’ FIT (Friends in Training) K-12 feeder running program, for which Andie Mahoney is a volunteer coach. That 146 of the 5K’s 325 finishers were 18 or younger, and that the kids’ mile had 175 finishers, gives you an idea of the program’s success.

Hadley ran her first 5K at age 7, her mom said. She won her age group in the 1,500 meters (6:22) at the New Englands last July, and on Sunday racked up a personal best. She finished 11 seconds ahead of fellow Cape resident Sindee Gozansky, who just turned 50 and was a consistent top-three age-group finisher in her previous bracket.

First overall was Chris Hall, 45, in 18:40. Gabe Harmon, 9, led the scores of milers in 5:59.

CONDOLENCES to the family and many friends of Herb Strom of Cape Elizabeth, who died Sunday at age 85. Herb was a longtime Maine Track Club stalwart, an athlete whose accomplishments included 10 Boston Marathons, and a great guy to run and converse with, as I know, having had the pleasure occasionally on Back Cove.

THE MAINE-IACS race team continues to rule the 185-mile, 17-stage, 24-hour mountainous and meteorologically villainous Cabot Trail Relay at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. And this year the Maine-iacs have their own custom sandwich (a quesadilla that includes roast beef, horseradish, onions, tomato, cheese, etc.,) to show for their victory.

The sandwich is exclusive to the High Wheeler Cafe, where owner Cathy MacLeod has enjoyed hosting score of famished Maine-iacs since the team was founded in 1995. A few years ago, MacLeod promised the Maine-iacs their own sandwich when they had won five Relays. Which they soon did, but not consecutively, as required.

This Memorial Day weekend, the sandwich goal was achieved with a victory in 16:44:22, almost 35 minutes ahead of second-place Black Lungs. Winning legs were Colby grad Dan Vassallo (Legs 5 and 17, in course-record times); Adam Goode of Bangor; Erik McCarthy, who set the tone by winning Leg 1; Tim Tunney and Matt Homich of Ellsworth; and Rob Gomez of Portland, who also set a leg record.

It was the 19th Cabot for Rick Chalmers of South Portland, the longest-serving Maine-iac, and he noted the team’s multigenerational makeup, with ages from 24 to 53 (Chalmers). Also racing with distinction were Nick Wheeler, Jeremy Lisee, Louie Luchini, Matt Methot, Tim Wakeland, Ken Akiha, Bill Brown, James Boeding and Sam Seekins.

Among the 70 teams overall, Maine’s Rhino Redux was 17th in 22:53:14, and Maine’s Road Hags were 21st in 23:01.55.

SCARBOROUGH’S ERICA JESSEMAN continued her fine spring, running a women’s course record 16:55 while placing third overall in Wednesday night’s Weekly Back Cove 5K. The series is looking robust, with 236 finishers in the second event. Ryan Jara topped everyone in 16:01.

Another evening race, the Longest Day 5K trail run, goes off at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at Libby Hill Forest Recreation Area in Gray. The preregistration fee is just $10 ($15 at the race); Gray-New Gloucester students race for free. Random prizes as well as awards are in the offing. Find out more and sign up online at www.libbyhill.org.

SIMILAR IN FORMAT, but of shorter duration, the Run In A Race Series kicked off Friday on the high school cross country course in Freeport. The 6 p.m. event continues weekly through July 17. A mere $10 gets you into all races, but if you lose your bib, a replacement is $5.

Run at least four events to qualify for series prizes. For more information, contact 232-8394 or info@runinarace.com.

THE BAY OF FUNDY International Marathon and Half Marathon on June 28 are full, but you can run a 10K there, from the West Quoddy Head lighthouse to Lubec’s downtown waterfront. Must be gorgeous. Start time is 10:30 a.m.; see BayofFundyMarathon.com.

 

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