Laudholm 5km off Road Race, & EcoDay at Wells Reserve

Be Active, Be Fit, Go Green....

It's patriots day weekend in Maine. Patriots' Day commemorates the first battles of the Revolutionary War, and the famous "Midnight Ride" of Paul Revere. It's also Marathon weekend in Boston.  However, there was another race on this long holiday weekend:  Laudholm 5km off Road Race at the Wells National Estuarine Reserve.

The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is a National Estuarine Research Reserve listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The sprawling 2250 acres (9.1 km2) of protected land, estuaries, beaches, trails and fields. The Wells Reserve is open to the public and also conducts research with NOAA.

Today was a bit chilly for mid-April, but overall a great day for a nice off road race. We started with Yoga Stretches from Yoga guru Kristina Hupp of Sacred Movement Yoga. The race was officiated by Ogunquit Selectman and elite Runner, Bobby Winn.

The course is off road, through fields, wooded trails, crumbling country roads and small hilly areas at the Wells Reserve.

My pace was 6.49 minutes for the first mile-not bad for trail running. I came in 6th overall with a time of 21.50 minutes, and placed 2nd in my age category, and 5th in the men's division. The weather was a bit blustery, with a northeast head wind. Cool enough that I had to wear gloves.

Crossing the finish line!

EcoDay also featured a Green Expo, volleyball tourney, natures walks, yoga demonstrations, kite flying and other nature/green events. It wasn't the Boston Marathon, but, I am quite happy with this little trail race. Funds raised help preserve the National Estuarine.

The 5km race was only $18 to pre-register, and  that included yet another T-shirt to my collection, a live band, good food, entertainment and  free admission to the National Estuarine. Overall pretty good schwag for 18 bucks!

The Details:
Wells National Estuarine at Laudholm Farm
342 Laudholm Farm Road
Wells, ME 04090
Telephone: 207.646.1555
http://www.wellsreserve.org/

Admission is free, but donations are graciously accepted.

There is over 2200 acres of trails, woods, vernal pools, forest, estuaries, and beaches. There is a beach and parking is available. Membership is $25, which includes beach parking. This is truly a nature preserve, and a gem on the southern Maine coast, just a couple of miles north of Ogunquit village.

Directions: From Ogunquit Beach Inn drive north on US Route One 7 miles (11.5 kilometers) to Laudholm Farm Road. Take a right and follow signs.

Tony relaxes after a good finish. Post race food:  bagels from Dunkin Donuts, fruit and other snacks!

After the finish line......

Laudholm 5km Race at Wells National Estuarine Reserve

Today I did the Laudholm 5km Trail Run. This race is held at the National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells Maine.

I forgot how beautiful the National Estuarine Reserve is. The  reserve is 2250 acres of rolling hills, woodlands, estuaries,  seven miles of trails, rivers, salt marshes and beaches along the southern Maine coast. The Wells Reserve is part of a system of 27 Reserves around the country. The Laudholm Farm campus serves as headquarters. The historic buildings have been renovated and restored to serve the education, and stewardship goals of the National Reserve.

The race was unique because it was an "off road" race.  Traditional races are on the street, but this race was through fields, woodlands and dirt roads. There was a small part of the race that was on asphalt.

The views were amazing! The 5 kilometre race started on a hill with distant views of Mt Agamenticus. From the hill we ran down a dirt road, an asphalt road and then a field. The race ended on top of the hill at historic Laudholm Farm.
My time was 21.15, not my best, but OK for running on trails. The picture to the left is the finish line. Ogunquit's elite runner Bobby Winn organized the race and kept time with help from Diana.

 










I came in 17th overall, and third place for my age group. The 5 kilometre race was also part of EcoSports day at the reserve. Sports by land, sea and sky with kayaking, mt biking, kite flying and yoga. Entertainment was provided by a reggae band on the Laudholm campus.

The Details:
Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
at historic Laudholm Farm
Laudholm Farm Road
Wells,  Maine
The reserve is located off of Route One north, @ 6 miles north of Ogunquit Beach Inn
Telephone 207 646 1555
http://www.wellsreserve.org/
This 2250 acre reserve has over seven miles of trails, spectacular views and a visitor centre with exhibits and information.