There is no race fee, but the director asks that you support local businesses in some way, giving back to the community. Absolutely loved this mindset and seeing the town … MORE
There is no race fee, but the director asks that you support local businesses in some way, giving back to the community. Absolutely loved this mindset and seeing the town work together, we need more of this in today’s world! I loved the expo where community members were selling their homemade products and runners were purchasing to help their families/local businesses! I bought so many cool things, from delicious honey, jams, and the best maple syrup ever! There were no “official” aid stations but pop up aid stations all along the course with community members aiding the runners!
It was my 13th consecutive marathon weekend in 13 different states. Crossed the finish line soaking wet and purple, shaking uncontrollably. That last 6 miles was miserable, but I fought to the end through that cold rain and the fog covered lots of the scenery. It was so heartwarming to see the local businesses allowing runners to come in and warm up, many served free hot chocolate! There was a warm fire in one right across from the finish line. It was truly amazing to see such a heartfelt community come together and help each other out! Be sure to purchase your handcrafted finisher’s medal from the wood craftsman as well. Would love to run this one again! Highly recommend!
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Such a supportive community!
There is no race fee, but the director asks that you support local businesses in some way, giving back to the community. Absolutely loved this mindset and seeing the town … MORE
There is no race fee, but the director asks that you support local businesses in some way, giving back to the community. Absolutely loved this mindset and seeing the town work together, we need more of this in today’s world! I loved the expo where community members were selling their homemade products and runners were purchasing to help their families/local businesses! I bought so many cool things, from delicious honey, jams, and the best maple syrup ever! There were no “official” aid stations but pop up aid stations all along the course with community members aiding the runners!
It was my 13th consecutive marathon weekend in 13 different states. Crossed the finish line soaking wet and purple, shaking uncontrollably. That last 6 miles was miserable, but I fought to the end through that cold rain and the fog covered lots of the scenery. It was so heartwarming to see the local businesses allowing runners to come in and warm up, many served free hot chocolate! There was a warm fire in one right across from the finish line. It was truly amazing to see such a heartfelt community come together and help each other out! Be sure to purchase your handcrafted finisher’s medal from the wood craftsman as well. Would love to run this one again! Highly recommend!
RUN THIS RACE!
This is a must do race and ranks tied for my #1 slot in the race with the best "experience". The people of Millinocket are wonderful. Please be sure to … MORE
This is a must do race and ranks tied for my #1 slot in the race with the best “experience”. The people of Millinocket are wonderful. Please be sure to research the history of the race. There is no official entry fee but everyone is expected to support the town in some way. Options include donating to the local food bank, buying items at the artisan fair (which is actually the bib pick up), eat at local restaurants shop at local stores. There are no official aid stations but there are plenty of “pop up” stops with enthusiastic people serving everything from water, warm maple syrup shots, and lots of Fireball. Be prepared for any type of weather and have your own water and nutrition just in case. This year it was rainy but some years it can be bitterly cold. All of the mile marker signs are hand made and some are very fancy. Unfortunately we did not get the view of Mt Katahdin this year due to the rain. Be sure to participate in the Crankle 2K Friday night. A local aritsan has wood medals for sale and a local business offers shirts/hoodies. Book lodging early if you want to stay in town. I highly recommend the Baxter Park Inn. If you go please consider having dinner at the American Legion the night before the race for spaghetti and pancake dinner. Plenty of businesses offer warming stations before and after the race and there is a fire pit near the finish line. Do yourself a favor and RUN THIS RACE! It won’t be a PR but your heart will be filled by the end.
Beautiful race for a great cause
This race is FREE, which is what first drew my attention. The town of Millinocket has been hit hard economically, so this free race encourages runners to come to town … MORE
This race is FREE, which is what first drew my attention. The town of Millinocket has been hit hard economically, so this free race encourages runners to come to town and spend money. There were numerous opportuties to do that, including buying your own race shirt and/or medal. I was happy to buy the shirt, and the very last thing I need is another medal, so I skipped that. Ten of us rented a VRBO and ran the half–a scenically beautiful, challenging, but runnable race. The town was welcoming, and there were lots of pop-up aid stations on the course with everything from Fireball to cookies. The weather in Maine in early December was daunting (ten degrees at race start), but with enough layers, it was a comfortable outing. For a unique experience in a lovely area of the country, Millinocket is great!
Best free race you'll ever run
What a giving community! The race is free; they only ask that you stay local and help merchants by shopping, eating within Millinocket. It snowed the day prior and running … MORE
What a giving community! The race is free; they only ask that you stay local and help merchants by shopping, eating within Millinocket. It snowed the day prior and running up the mountain in the snow made me feeling like I was back home running on the Florida beaches… There is epic beauty as you reach the top of the logging road… majestic view of Mount Katahdin! The community offered great refreshments at the various mile markers and the backside of the race was all down hill… You’ll have to purchase your own finisher medal… but it’s part of giving back to this small community.
A Must-Run!
This race is small and remote. But totally worth the FREE registration and promise to support the local economy. Millinocket is in central Maine, a 1 hour drive North from … MORE
This race is small and remote. But totally worth the FREE registration and promise to support the local economy.
Millinocket is in central Maine, a 1 hour drive North from Bangor. The town is small and has lost several large employers in recent years. Gary Allen (MDI) created this event to draw tourists into the area and as a result created an event that the town 100% supports! The race has developed into a full-fledged Millinocket Town Festival that nearly all businesses get behind!
THE RACE: the race is free, but asks for donations for the local library and asks that you support the town by eating, sleeping and shopping there. The course is moderately hilly with a large majority along the Golden Road, an unpaved logging road. This year there was a winter storm a few days before and the road was covered with ice and a fresh layer of sand, which made running difficult. The marathoners do 2 loops on the course. Aid stations are manned by families, businesses and locals who provide anything from cookies, fireball, jello shots, pickle juice, to hamburgers, candy and hot soup. Several had fires burning in barrels or backyard firepits. One stop even had Hot Gatorade (like coffee hot!). Water cups would freeze over so most volunteers were pouring water/gatorade when you requested.
THE WEATHER: The weather is the key. The bartender we chatted with after the race told us that 2019 was the 2nd best year for weather. (The first year the temps were in the 30s-40s, which is HOT for them). For 2019, the temp at the start was around 15 and the high for the day was 22. This Mississippi girl got lucky! Keep in mind the sun goes down around 3:45-4pm this time of year, so the back-of-the-packers may be finishing their race in the dark.
The medal and other swag are not free. Runners must pre-order their medal on the race website (around $8). Several businesses in the downtown area were selling their own versions of race apparel.
Overall, this race was a great experience. For us southern folks, we went for the adventure and to experience Maine in the dead of winter. This is a definite MUST RUN for those who love small town races with unique touches. The community was super supportive and every person we met was friendly and thankful!
AMAZING
While this is a "Free Race" it's not, as Race Director Gary Allen says, "a free for all." This is a very well put together race, and the community is … MORE
While this is a “Free Race” it’s not, as Race Director Gary Allen says, “a free for all.” This is a very well put together race, and the community is very welcoming to the hundreds of crazy people who converge in this small mill-town in December to run up a 6.5 mile hill before coming down the backside that was created by MC Escher!