The sixth Annual Rotary Moontide Water Festival Road Races
were run on Saturday June 29, 2002, during the last day of the festival
carnival week. It was dry and hot, but 35 racers came to run the One Mile Fun
Run, The Moontide 5K and The River Valley 10K. All participants received a gift
pack of useful and fun items provided by the sponsors. Participants came from
many of the towns in the river valley as well as towns like Brunswick,
Guilford, Auburn, Baltimore, Farmington, Jay, Bethel, Bryant Pond, Brighton,
Penobscot, and Steamboat Springs
Hosmer Field was the
base of the operations and the races used the track and routes that took
runners through the main streets of both Rumford and Mexico.
Many runners based on overall and age group performance won
awards and metals. Mike Chilly achieved
a New River Valley 10K record when he completed the race in a time of 37:50.8.
Chilly reduced the record by 6 minutes and 46 seconds. Chilly received an LL Bean gift certificate
in addition to a plaque for winning first place.
The success of the event was due to the contributions and
support from many sectors: MeadWestvaco, Rumford Hospital Calpine, Power
Associates, Chisholm Ski Club, Sport shoe Center, Running World Magazine,
Legers, Med-Care, E & E Awards Carrabassetts Water, Hannaford’s, the
Moontide Water Festival Committee, Local town garages, Park Department, police
departments, and the Rumford Rotary members from Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield.
Proceeds from the road races will support the scholarships
offered annually at SAD 43, SAD 21 and Region 9 by the Rumford Area Rotary
Club.
