Dirigo RC Updates

Dave Ouellette takes third at Bradbury Breaker.

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Bradbury Breaker was on the schedule Sunday morning, and Dave Ouellette turned it into a podium day.

He finished in 1:23:22 for third overall.

Karley Piers wins Bridgton 4 on the Fourth.

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Another strong holiday result came from Bridgton, where Karley Piers took the win in 22:45.04.

Taylor Bagley also had a great race, placing third and knocking 10 seconds off her own course best.

Dirigo women go 1-3 at L.L.Bean July 4th 10K.

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Quick hits from Freeport: Dirigo had a big showing in hard heat at the L.L.Bean July 4th 10K.

Veronica Graziano took the women’s win, Alexis was next, and Bethanie made it a Dirigo 1-3 on the women’s side. Eric and Jonathan Clement both landed in the top 15, with Robert Ashby just ahead of Seth Crockett. Nevin Duffey and Dave Ouellette were also in the field.

Nick Denari added the best one-liner from the day: “Not quite 5 miles and not quite the 4th of July.”

Great work in tough conditions, and great to see so much blue out there on July 4th.

Dirigo women go 1-2 at Valor Twilight.

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

At Valor Track Club's first Twilight Series USATF meet at Fitzpatrick Stadium, Clíodhna O'Malley and Bethanie Brown finished 1-2 in the featured women's 5000m in 17:11 and 17:14. Veronica Graziano took 4th in 17:27, Taylor Bagley was 7th in 17:49, and Josie Spaulding was 9th in 18:51.

Dirigo women pack the front at Back Cove.

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Karley Piers made a fast Back Cove debut in 17:12, leading a Dirigo women's group that took places 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 with Clíodhna O'Malley, Marah Borgman, Christie Barnes, and Katie Mauro close behind. Crow Norlander led the Dirigo men under 18 minutes, with Adane Bewset, Dave Ouellette, and Nevin Duffey also in the field. Around the track, Seth Crockett did a 4:57 and 2:12 1600/800 double at MECTA, finishing 2nd in both races, Denise Curry broke the 5000m age-group record, and Lauren Austin won W45-49 at the Maine Senior Games 1500m in 5:54.

Robert Ashby keeps setting the standard.

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Maine Running Hall of Famer Robert Ashby continues to show what world-class longevity looks like. Ashby ran 2:47:28 at the Bay of Fundy International Marathon, winning the 50-59 age group and placing third overall.

Dirigo keeps early June busy.

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The June racing calendar came fast: Nick Denari ran 15:58 at Back Cove, Bethanie Brown debuted there in 17:29, and Clíodhna O'Malley, Crow Norlander, Adane Bewset, Marah Borgman, Dave Ouellette, and Nevin Duffey kept the weekly turnout strong. Heather Gallant won the YMCA Fit Fest 5K overall in 17:15, Laurel Manville placed sixth overall, Maddie Sheehan won the women's race at the Bradbury Scuffle, Dave Ouellette was seventh overall, Taylor Bechtel ran 1:20:16 at the Old Port Half, and Marah Borgman won the Maine Running Hall of Fame 5K in 19:26.

Dirigo youth athletes score at states.

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo youth athletes had a big day at the Maine Class A Outdoor Track State Championships. Georgia Moon won the 3200 and placed second in the 1600, Laurel Driscoll scored across the distance triple for Scarborough, Sara Tennent ran on Falmouth's winning 4x800, and Allie Schmitt was fifth in the 2-mile while also contributing to a runner-up 4x800. Harper Borden, Sam Bergmark, Enzo Giampaolo, Freddie Brill, Grace Alexander, and Annabell Kimball were also part of a deep Dirigo presence across the state meet.

Spring podiums stretch from Sugarloaf to the track.

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo stacked up spring results across distances. At Sugarloaf, Rich Alff ran 2:58:06 and Peter Burke ran 3:06:26 in the marathon, both winning age groups. In the 15K, Heather Gallant was third overall and first woman in 53:25, Karley Piers was fourth overall and second woman in 56:31, and Paula Rousseau, Travis Kroot, and Bella Robinson added strong age-group finishes. Dave Ouellette finished 12th overall at the Riverlands 100 in 27:50:47, Eric Sofen was second at Boots n Brews, and Dirigo youth athletes continued a strong outdoor track season.

Dirigo women lead the way at Longfellow 3K.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo had a strong afternoon at the Longfellow 3K on the peninsula in Portland, led by a front-running women’s group.

Marah Borgman took the overall women’s win, with Gretchen Speed second and Lauren Austin fifth to put three Dirigo women in the top five. Nedicus Swain also cracked the overall top 10 with seventh place.

The race also served as an early spring checkpoint with the Falmouth 4-Miler coming up next on the local calendar.

Irish Road Rover and indoor nationals keep March moving.

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

March opened with Irish Road Rover back on the Portland calendar, and Dirigo had front-end results on both the women’s and men’s sides.

Alexis Wilbert won the women’s race in 17:27. Nate Madeira ran 17:53, Jon Clement hit 18:00, and Pete Bottomley won M60-64 in 20:10.

The weekend also sent Dirigo youth athletes to major championship meets. Georgia Moon and Laurel Driscoll competed at New Balance High School Indoor Nationals after going 1-2 in the mile at the Class A state meet, where Moon ran 4:58 to break the long-standing state record. Freddie Brill also scored in the Class A state mile, finishing sixth.

Dirigo women go 1-2 at Midwinter 10 Mile Classic.

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The 42nd Midwinter 10 Mile Classic was pushed back to March because of forecasted tides, wind, and flooding risk, but Dirigo still opened the season with a deep result sheet in Cape Elizabeth.

Karley Piers won the women’s race in 1:00:02, with Clíodhna O’Malley right behind in 1:00:16 to give Dirigo the top two women’s places. Veronica Graziano won F35-39 in 1:01:57, Maria Remillard was third in F25-29 in 1:04:46, Michelle Lilienthal was second in F40-44 in 1:06:51, Maddie Sheehan ran 1:06:54, and Paula Rousseau was second in F60-64 in 1:24:29.

On the men’s side, Jon McGonagle ran 1:01:34, Craig Robinson 1:01:49, Nedicus Swain 1:03:22, Peter Burke won M55-59 in 1:04:57, David Ouellette ran 1:05:56, Nevin Duffey 1:09:20, and Christian Johnson 1:17:08.

The women’s depth stood out as much as the win: Dirigo put six women in the top 80 overall.

Dirigo age-group wins at Maine Track Club Turkey Trot 5K.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo runners opened Thanksgiving week with strong age-group results at the Maine Track Club Turkey Trot 5K in Cape Elizabeth.

Garth Altenburg won the men’s 50-54 division, and Craig Robinson won the men’s 30-34 division.

Good luck to everyone racing over Thanksgiving weekend, including athletes lining up at the Portland 4-Miler and Greely 5K.

Big-city fall marathons bring strong Dirigo results.

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo runners closed out fall marathon season with strong results across major-city courses and regional championship fields.

At Berlin, Taylor Bickford and Travis Kroot both finished on a warm day in one of the season’s toughest international marathon conditions.

Baystate brought another front-end result from Romayn Richards, while Kristin Barry added a strong marathon performance.

At the Detroit Free Press Marathon, Jon McGonagle ran 2:56:55 and placed fourth in his age group.

Chicago rounded out the month with a deep Dirigo group: Spencer McElwain ran 2:25:29 for 100th overall, Jesse Orach ran 2:41:32, Erin Chalat ran 3:22:28, and Gina Pardi ran 3:08:19.

Late-summer road races keep Dirigo at the front.

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo carried summer momentum deep into August and September with wins, podiums, and strong series results.

David Ouellette took third at the Whiskey Road Half in Arizona, and Thomas Harvey won the Lincoln Half Marathon.

Justin Freeman put together one of the club’s best late-summer streaks, finishing fourth at Race to the Top in Vermont, second master at the Falmouth 7 Miler, fifth at the Delta Dental Manchester 5K, fifth master at the USATF-NE 10K Championships, and first at the Delta Dental Mountain Challenge.

The Weekly Back Cove Series season also ended with two Dirigo titles, with Clíodhna O’Malley and Nick Denari both winning their overall summerlong competitions.

Maine Marathon weekend delivers front-end Dirigo results.

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo had a huge Maine Marathon weekend in Portland, with podium and top-10 results in both the marathon and half marathon.

In the marathon, Harrison Osborne finished third overall in 2:32:08. Nathan Madeira ran 2:40:52 for eighth, Thomas Harvey was 29th in 2:53:13, and Katie Mauro placed 10th woman in 3:13:49.

The half marathon was led by Clíodhna O’Malley, who won in 1:15:06 and set a new course record. Veronica Graziano was second in 1:17:30 and Heather Gallant third in 1:17:50, giving Dirigo three of the top spots in the women’s race.

Dirigo depth continued with Michelle Lilienthal sixth in 1:20:43, Karley Piers seventh in 1:21:03, Marah Borgman eighth in 1:22:45, and Cait Bourgault 16th in 1:26:06. On the men’s side, Daniel Bannon ran 1:15:13 for 14th, Nedicus Swain 1:20:47 for 33rd, and Taylor Bechtel 1:21:14 for 34th.

Dirigo lands top age-group marks at USATF-NE Grand Prix 10K.

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo had two standout results at the USATF-NE Grand Prix 10K on September 7.

Clíodhna O’Malley finished 4th overall and won the 20-29 age group.

Justin Freeman placed 5th in M40-49. A follow-up note corrected his age to 48.

Beach to Beacon weekend brings a big Dirigo blue wave.

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo packed Beach to Beacon on a clear Maine summer day, with longtime members and new teammates all over the course and finish area.

At the front of the Maine women’s race, Clíodhna O’Malley, Bethanie Brown, and Karley Piers went 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. Justin Freeman was 3rd overall master, and Kristin Barry and Christine Hein were 1st and 3rd among seniors.

Nick Denari led a strong Dirigo men’s group and was recognized in race-weekend coverage, while Laurel Manville continued a breakout first season in blue. Harrison Osborne was the top Dirigo male finisher on the day.

The team recap also highlighted a deep set of performances from Taylor Bickford, Cait Bourgault, Crow Norlander, Polly Kenniston, James Whelan, Marah Borgman, Michelle Lilienthal, Heather Gallant, and Eric Sofen.

One club announcement from the weekend: Nick Denari recently stepped into the Head Coach role for Cheverus indoor and outdoor track while continuing as cross-country head coach.

Dirigo stacks wins and deep results across mid-July racing.

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo had two big weeks of racing around Maine and New Hampshire, plus one July 4 correction worth adding to the record: Laurel Manville was sixth woman at the L.L.Bean 10K in 39:32.

At the Moxie 5K in Lisbon on July 12, Sammy Mills won in 15:23 and Harrison Osborne was second in 15:28. Christie Tebbets placed fourth among women in 21:04, and Sam Stolkner ran 19:15.

A week later in Concord, Justin Freeman won the Bill Luti 5 Miler in 26:24.

Westbrook Strong in South Portland brought a full blue wave on July 19, with Romayn Richards winning the men’s race in 16:06 and Karley Piers winning the women’s race in 17:39. Daniel Bannon and Chris Harmon went 4-5 overall, Thomas Harvey was seventh, Harvey and Harrison Crider debuted in 12th and 13th, and Kristin Barry placed third woman.

At the MECTA State Championships in Falmouth, Dirigo covered events from the 200m through the 5K. Laurel Manville won F30-39 in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m and also placed third in the 200m. Harrison Osborne won M18-29 in the 1600m and 5K and placed second in the 800m; Seth Crockett won M30-39 in both the 800m and 1600m; Chris Kibler was second in the 800m and 1600m and won M30-39 in the 5K; Nathan Priest and Sam Stolkner added multiple strong age-group results.

The Yarmouth Clam Fest 5 Miler added more top finishes, with Nathan Madeira eighth in 27:14, Eric Sofen 11th in 27:54, Nedicus Swain 30th in 30:36, and Gretchen Speed second woman in 31:30.

On July 20, Heather Gallant won the women’s division at Emily’s Run 5K in Auburn in 17:32.

At Tri for a Cure in South Portland, Allie Schmitt finished her first triathlon in 1:29:52, and Annabel Kimball ran 21:54 on the 5K relay leg.

Dirigo goes long to short at MECTA State Championships.

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo had athletes racing everything from the 5K down to the 200m at the MECTA State Championships in Falmouth on July 19, with wins and podium-level age-group finishes across the card.

MECTA State Championships Meet - Falmouth, ME - 7/19/25

200m

Laurel Manville - 3rd F30-39 - 35.35

400m

Nathan Priest - 2nd M40-49 - 1:06.78
Laurel Manville - 1st F30-39 - 1:15.09

800m

Seth Crockett - 1st M30-39 - 2:07.88
Chris Kibler - 2nd M30-39 - 2:17.62
Harrison Osborne - 2nd M18-29 - 2:20.52
Sam Stolkner - 4th M30-39 - 2:24.02
Nathan Priest - 2nd M40-49 - 2:25.79
Laurel Manville - 1st F30-39 - 2:41.01

1600m

Harrison Osborne - 1st M18-29 - 4:39.33
Seth Crockett - 1st M30-39 - 4:56.21
Chris Kibler - 2nd M30-39 - 4:57.81
Nathan Priest - 2nd M40-49 - 5:19.27
Sam Stolkner - 3rd M30-39 - 5:24.90
Laurel Manville - 1st F30-39 - 5:52.93

Harrison Osborne - 1st M18-29 - 15:57
Chris Kibler - 1st M30-39 - 17:24
Nathan Priest - 2nd M40-49 - 17:42

Bethanie Brown wins L.L.Bean July 4th 10K in Freeport.

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo had a big July 4 morning at the L.L.Bean 10K in Freeport, led by Bethanie Brown’s women’s win and strong depth across open and masters age groups.

L.L.Bean 10K - Freeport, ME - 7/4/25

Jonathan Clement - 13th - 1st M30-34 - 35:38
Will Spaulding - 15th - 2nd M15-19 - 35:50
Jeff Oliver - 17th - 2nd M40-44 - 35:59
Bethanie Brown - 19th - 1st woman - 36:14
Eliza Kerschner - 35th - 4th woman - 38:34
Seth Crockett - 43rd - 39:24
Cait Bourgault - 48th - 7th woman - 39:42
David Ouellette - 51st - 39:52
Erica Jesseman - 53rd - 9th woman - 39:59
Kristin Barry - 68th - 1st F50-54 - 41:10
Christian Johnson - 112th - 44:09
Rick Blanchette - 113rd - 2nd M60-64 - 44:25
Josie Spaulding - 127th - 7th F15-19 - 45:06
Christie Tebbets - 133rd - 1st F55-59 - 45:18
Erin Chalat - 135th - 2nd F60-64 - 45:30
Emma Schwartz - 188th - 5th F25-29 - 48:03
Zack Jellis - 193rd - 48:14
Kelly Brown - 225th - 3rd F60-64 - 49:12
Laurie Nicholas - 244th - 6th F55-59 - 49:46
Josh Zolla - 320th - 52:00

Dirigo opens July 4 weekend with wins across Maine.

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo’s July 4 weekend started a day early with a front-of-the-pack result at the GRBA 5K, where Rob Gomez and Craig Robinson finished first and second on July 3.

On July 4, the team had strong results at races around the state. Heather Gallant led the women’s field at Friends on the 4th in Winthrop, and Nate Priest finished inside the men’s top 10.

At Bridgton 4 on the Fourth, Karley Piers was second woman, Taylor Bickford raced to fourth overall while wearing bib #1776, and Daniel Bannon was eighth overall and top masters.

Late spring wins carry Dirigo into July.

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Dirigo went into the July 4th racing weekend with a full month of momentum: marathon podiums, road wins, track speed, steady Back Cove turnout, and a youth group already making noise at the state level.

Late May started with Eliza Kerschner taking third at the Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, running 2:54:03 on May 25. The next day in Cumberland, Sheri Piers won the Memorial Day 5K to Remember in 18:48, with Kristin Barry second among women in 19:46; Daniel Bannon was third overall in 16:40, and Kevin Murray finished eighth in 20:00.

The results kept coming in June. Justin Freeman ran 15:29 for 10th at the Battle Road Twilight 5K in Waltham, Seth Crockett was seventh at the Old Port Half Marathon in 1:21:14, and Taylor Bickford won the Market Square Day 10K in Portsmouth in 37:58. Michelle Lilienthal won the Trail to Ale 10K, Daniel Bannon placed sixth at the Coconut Chase 10K in Honolulu, and Karley Piers won the Gorham 4 Miler in 23:33.

The Weekly Back Cove Series also turned into a regular blue-singlet checkpoint. Nick Denari won four early races, Marah Borgman picked up three wins, and Laurel Manville added another.

On the youth side, Falmouth’s 4x800m relay won the Class A state title with Dirigo members Sara Tennent, Georgia Moon, Emory Westburg, and Maeve Ginevan on the squad. Freddie Brill, Allie Schmitt, Grace Alexander, and Annabel Kimball also raced the 3200m at the Class A State Championships.

Luke Marsanskis and Bethanie Brown win Dirigo 5K honoring Dearing & Schulte

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Dirigo 5K, run in honor of Dan Dearing and Shiloh Schulte, was held last Friday and continues to grow as a community distance event. Luke Marsanskis won the men’s race in 14:31, and Bethanie Brown won the women’s race in 17:07.

Several racers posted personal records: Jason Maher, James DeMuro, Seridel Hel, and Zack Jellis all ran PRs. Maine Running Photos shot a large gallery from the race (link above).

Thanks to everyone who ran and to the volunteers who made the day possible.

Lilienthal takes the women's title at Trail to Ale 10K

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

On Sunday, June 22, 2025 the Trail to Ale 10K returned as part of the Easy Bayside Trail Fest. Michelle Lilienthal finished third overall and was the top woman; teammates Peter Burke and Garth Altenburg followed closely among the leading finishers.

Photos from the race are included above.