Rise 'N Shine race tradition continues on
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
AUGUSTA — Rich Abramson doesn't plan to set any records at the 10th annual Rise 'N Shine Road Race Friday morning. A former director of the Kennebec Valley YMCA, Abramson started the race 10 years ago as a fund raiser for the Y and was part of a four-man team that won the first race.
"My running days are over," Abramson said. "I'm going to walk the race."
Abramson will have an ideal walking track since much of the 5K (3.1 mile) race will cover the Kennebec River Rail Trail between Augusta and Hallowell. It begins at 6:30 a.m. at Kennebec Savings Bank on State Street in Augusta and is open to individual runners and teams as well as walkers.
The race has always been run Friday mornings as an alternative to many of the weekend road races. The 6:30 start time was also part of the plan.
"It's to allow people a full day of work," said Abramson, superintendent of School Union 42. "I've got an 8:30 meeting that morning."
Refreshments are available at Kennebec Savings following the race and participants may use showers at the Y. All proceeds go for youth and family scholarships for "folk who want to participate at the KV YMCA but don't have the means," according to executive director Harry Lanphear.
This year's race route is also different. Once run up Western Ave. and through streets winding back to Kennebec Savings, it will go from the bank to the Front St. parking lot and along the Rail Trail.
"We thought it would be neat to be on the rail trail,' Lanphear said. "To give the rail trail exposure and go by the site of the new Y."
The new Kennebec Valley YMCA will be located at the end of Capital Park beside the Augusta Police Station overlooking the river. It is still in the fundraising stages and scheduled to be completed in the next three or four years.
Race sponsor Kennebec Savings is supplying T-shirts to all registrants as well as $150 to the first high school four-person team to finish.
"We're trying to get some high school teams to participate," Lanphear said.
Registration forms are available in advance for $12 at the KV YMCA or Kennebec Savings. They are $15 the day of the race.
"We're trying to encourage some walkers," Lanphear said. "I know we have a few. We've got ages so far ranging from 15 to well over 70."
Gary Hawkins — 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com