The 31st annual County Challenge Series, sponsored by the Aroostook Musterds Running Club, is underway.
The second race of the series, the UMPI Spring Runoff 5K, will take place Saturday, April 13 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
This year’s race promises to be competitive as unseasonably good weather early on is allowing for great training conditions. Proceeds from the race will support the UMPI varsity cross country teams as well as the track and field club program. Funds will be raised through sponsorships, entry fees and a 50-50 raffle.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. in Wieden Gymnasium. Walkers will start at 9:30 a.m. and all runners at 10 a.m. Runners may compete in age specific women’s and men’s categories as well as in a co-ed three-person relay division, which will allow inexperienced and shorter-distance racers to participate.
Five more series races are scheduled. They are the S. W. Collins Company 5K in Caribou June 23, the Musterd Mile in Caribou July 5, the Potato Blossom 5-Miler in Fort Fairfield July 20, the County Open Half Marathon in Island Falls Aug. 10 and the Caribou Labor Day 8K on Sept. 2.
The series kicked off at the Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run in Houlton Feb. 16.
The top overall winners and age group winners will be recognized at the conclusion of the series. Last year’s winners were Marie Beckum and P.J. Gorneault, both of Caribou.
