Scorched Earth: Maine, Vermont, MDI Marathons Victim of the Times

The press release from the MDI Marathon in Bar Harbor, ME (below) came in today. It follows on the heels of the Maine and KeyBank Vermont City Marathon issuing cancellations this week.

 

Portland, ME’s Leah Frost winning her 5th MDI title with a time of 2:49:06 in 2018. Photo by Kevin Morris

 

BAR HARBOR, Maine — Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the state of Maine is currently recommending that public group races not be held, leaving organizers of the 2020 Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half-Marathon, & Team Relay with no other choice but to cancel this year’s event, originally scheduled for Sunday, October 18th.

 

“The health and safety of our participants, along with that of our volunteers, spectators, partners, local community and organizing team has and always will be a top priority,” said Gary Allen, founder and race director, “while this decision weighs heavily on me and my team, we strongly believe is in the best interest of everyone involved.”

 

Registered participants have been contacted and offered multiple solutions including deferring their 2020 entry to a future race edition or donating their entry to an official charity partner. Held annually since 2002, the Mount Desert Island Marathon has raised over $400,000.00 in support of many local, state, and national charities.

 

About the Race:
The Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & Relay is North America’s premier destination road race. The award-winning course features miles of pristine terrain passing tranquil lakes, soaring mountains, sleepy Maine villages, and stunning seaside vistas —including Somes Sound, the only fjord on the Eastern Seaboard— all set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Acadia National Park in peak fall foliage season.

 

 

The Marathon and Team Relay start in the world-famous resort town of Bar Harbor, while the Half-Marathon starts in the opulent village of Northeast Harbor. All three races finish in the hardworking lobster fishing community of Southwest Harbor. Despite the challenging terrain, the marathon and half-marathon often produce the fastest finish times in Maine for races of those distances. Learn more: runmdi.org

 

 

Huntington, VT’s Kasie Enman winning her 3rd VT City Marathon in 2017 with a time of 2:50:26. Photo by Scott Mason.