BELFAST — Runners from 72 Maine high schools, as well as from five high schools across Rhode Island, Vermont, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, descended on Belfast — namely, Troy Howard Middle School — for this year’s Maine Cross Country Festival of Champions meet Saturday, Oct. 4. 

The event kicked off at 11 a.m. and saw almost 2,000 racers run the 5,000-meter course, which is the same length that will be used for the Eastern Maine Regional and Maine State Championship meets. 

The event was co-hosted by Belfast Area High School and Brewer High School. 

According to an informational guide, course features included: a starting line on the football field with a long straightaway for a fair and safe start, a long gradual uphill just after the first mile, wide grass paths through a rolling meadow, several short and steep hills in the wooded part of the course, and a slight downhill for a fast finish.

“This is one of the most fan friendly cross country courses you will ever see,” according to the guide. “Just by standing at the start/finish area, you will see the runners at least five times.”

For complete results from the girls race, click here. 

For complete results from the boys race, click here. 

Reach the author, George Harvey, and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com. 

Reach the photographer and videographer, Ethan Andrews, at: news@penbaypilot.com.