Millinocket Marathon & Half sees record-breaking registrations

MILLINOCKET, Maine (WABI) - Thousands gathered at the annual Millinocket Marathon Saturday morning to celebrate “Maine’s biggest small town.”

The 10th annual Millinocket Marathon & Half saw a record-breaking 3,100 registrations.

“It started out as a dream, and just kind of whim, ‘let’s do this, lets support the community’ 10 years ago, and there was 52 people right over here, and to then step back and look up and down the streets and see the parking lots full, and the businesses full, it really gives me Goosebumps to think about,” said Organizing Committee Member David Goodrich.

As the number of participants grows with each passing year, the marathon has become an enduring symbol of community for the town of Millinocket.

“Each year we step back and say, ‘what can we do’ and always looking for that next thing,” said Goodrich. “If we can tweak it and make it better, what’s the limit”

Marathon runners hail from all over the country, with some returning from previous years, to help bring support to Millinocket and its people.

“It gives everyone the opportunity to give generously to the town, to its people, and I just love that sort of mission, that were here helping this incredible town become livelier every year,” said Ted Hobart, half marathon runner.

Millinocket residents say the event also helps to bring lots of business to the town, with hopes of people returning for next year’s marathon and to also return during warmer seasons.

“To see that many people come, bring that energy to that town is exciting,” said Melissa Page, a Millinocket resident. “People are incredibly generous when they come. They frequent the business and restaurants; it does bring a boost to the economy.”

“To have these businesses open, their hospitality, we know people are going to want to come back, they’ll say ‘Hey I went to Millinocket, I’m coming back during other seasons,’” said Page.