BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK

Staff Writer

For the second summer Augusta Trails is sponsoring the Bond Brook 5K Trail Race Series at the Bond Brook Recreation Area. The series consists of eight races on Thursday nights, July 12 and 19, Aug. 2, 9, 23 and 30, and Sept. 13 and 20.

Due to growing interest, the series expanded from six to eight races this year.

“We started later last year, and we had some interest from some of the college kids,” Karen Gross, the race director, said. “Hopefully we can grab them this year.”

Last summer, between 20 and 30 runners took part in each race. This summer, Gross hopes to have between 30 and 45 runners compete in each week.

The course has been tweaked this summer to incorporate more single track running, along with the wider trails used for cross country skiing in the winter. On the tighter single track, runners have to work their way over roots and rocks.

“Last year, we just used the very wide Nordic trails,” Gross said.

To qualify for the series championship, runners must compete in at least five races. All races will be run on the same course, and the top five times of each runner will be combined. The lowest combined time will be declared winner, and awards will be given to the top three in male and female divisions.

The cost to run the series is $35, or it’s $5 for individual races. Runners can download a registration form at augustatrails.org/events.

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PFBF CPAs, an Oakland accounting firm, will hold its third annual half marathon/5K Run or Walk on Sunday, July 8, to benefit the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter.

The race begins at 8 a.m., rain or shine. Half marathon runners will go first, followed by those running the 5K, and finally the 5K walkers.

Registration is $45 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K race/walk. Runners can register online at www.pfbf.com/Marathon2012.html. There will be registration available on Saturday, July 7, from 4-6 p.m. at the PFBF office, at 46 FirstPark Drive in Oakland. Same day registration will begin at 7 a.m., an hour before the race.

Both the half marathon and the 5K will start at PFBF’s office.

The Sukeforth Family Foundation will match funds raised up to $5,000.

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The Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed will hold their 10th Friends on the Fourth 5K on July 4. Last year, Luke Fontaine of Augusta and Emily Durgin of Portland won the men’s and women’s titles, respectively.

Last year’s race drew 586 participants. Much of the course runs along the eastern shore of Maranacook Lake.

Registration materials are available at www.watershedfriends.com/news-a-events/friends-on-the-4th-5k.html.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

[email protected]