Peak Performance
Maine Marathon

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race sponsors

Race registration

Entries are picking up for the 2008 Peak Performance Maine Marathon, Half Marathon and Marathon Relay, to be held Sunday, Oct. 5. There are two ways to register -- online at Active.com, or by downloading an entry form and mailing it in.

The entry fees through Aug. 31 are $30 for the half marathon, $45 for the marathon and $80 for the marathon relay. The half marathon and marathon entries increase by $10 on Sept. 1, and another $5 on race day, so enter early to take advantage of the lower fees. Relay entries after Aug. 31 cost $100, and there is no race-day registration for the relay.

Training program

More than 20 people have signed up so far for an 18-week marathon and half marathon training program being offered by our title sponsor Peak Performance Multisports. Managed by a Road Runners Club of America certified running coach, the program will be adjusted to match the fitness level and goals of each participant. You'll meet one-on-one to determine the best plan for you and have ongoing coaching support, as well as group camaraderie, throughout your training. All levels of athletes are welcome.

Benefits include:

• A personal training schedule
• Weekly group runs with on-course support and post-run refreshments
• Marathon or half marathon race registration
• Periodic member-only training clinics
• Special offers on massage therapy
• A Peak Performance Maine Marathon "In-Training" tee-shirt
• The opportunity to meet and exceed your own expectations!

The fee for the program is $180 ($10 per week), or $150 for Team Nor'Easter members ($8.33 per week). For more information about Team Nor'Easter or to register for the training program, visit Peak's Web site or e-mail Peak Performance.

Also, you can follow the progress of one member of the training group, Elijah Ocean from the band Loverless. Elijah will be posting video updates on the Web site of another race sponsor, WCYY.

More training resources

Looking for a training program, or information about marathons in general? 26.2: The Marathon Training Website offers free training schedules for runners of all levels, along with plenty of advice and tips about how to improve your performance.

Race Information

• Start/Finish: Baxter Boulevard, between Forest Ave. and Preble St.
• Certification: Both the marathon and half marathon courses are certified by USAT&F (ME01005WN for marathon, ME01006WN for half marathon), and the marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.
• Parking: Plenty of free parking is available at the University of Southern Maine campus near the start/finish area. Runners are asked not to park in the Hannaford shopping center lot adjacent to the start/finish location.

Registration, packet pick-up and expo

• Where: Sullivan Gym, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St.
• When: Saturday, Oct. 4, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 5, 5:30-7:30 a.m.
• Directions: Exit 6B (Forest Ave.) off I-295, take left at first light

All-you-can-eat pasta dinner

• Where: Woodbury Campus Center, University of Southern Maine
• When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 5-8 p.m.
• Cost: Adults - $10 in advance, $12 at door; Children - $7

Runner amenities

• Water stops with Gatorade (lemon-lime Endurance Formula) located approximately every two miles.
• Hi-tech long-sleeve t-shirt (shirts mailed to late arrivals if supply is gone)
• Automatic timing with WinningTime chip system
• Post-race refreshments
• Pre- and post-race massages available at start/finish line
• Baggage check available at start/finish area
• Finishers medal to all runners and certificate of completion to marathoners
• Goody bag to first 1,500 arrivals for registration/packet pickup
• Showers available at USM's Sullivan Gym
• Medical tent located at finish line, with additional medical personnel patrolling the course
• Professional photo service, PhotoChambers, will take photos of all finishers and make them available for purchase

Important notes

An early start at 6 a.m. is available only for marathoners who expect to maintain a pace of 13 minutes per mile or slower. Anyone who starts early will not be eligible for awards, and there is no early start for half marathoners.

All marathoners who don't use the early 6 a.m. start should expect to maintain a pace of 14 minutes per mile or faster. Course support stops after 2 p.m.

No radio headsets, dogs, baby strollers or bicycles are allowed.

Confirmations will not be sent by mail. Entry lists will be updated regularly on this Web site.