By Carol McCracken (Post 559)

Two hundred or so runners are expected to participate in a “Duo Duel 10K Relay” race to benefit college students on Saturday, August 28th. The race begins at 9 am at the intersection of Commercial and Center Streets. Pre-race registration begins at 7 am. The event is co-sponsored by the Maine Red Claws and St. Joseph’s College.

“Runners run down Commterical Street to the bike path toward East End Beach. Then they run up Cutter Street, down Fore Street, back to the bike path and re-trace their steps on Commercial Street back to Center Street. Then they handoff to their teammate (the baton is a Snap Bracelet) who runs the same route; finishing with a team 10K time,” according to a press release issued by Jana Spaulding, director of public & community relations for the Maine Red Claws. Each runner running his/her own 5K race with someone else is what makes this Duo Duel 10K Relay a unique road race.

The proceeds from the race will benefit The Mitchell Institute. The Mitchell Scholarship Program has awarded nearly $8 million in financial assistance to nearly 1,800 Maine students since 1995. The fund was established by Maine’s Senator George Mitchell with unused funds from his last political campaign. Top finishers will receive awards. Special prizes will be raffled off for free. Food from Portland Pie and Hannaford will be provided at the Finish Line. Live music will be provided by Mitch Alden also at the Finish Line.

Other partners include Quirk Chevrolet, Hannaford, Portland Pie, Lynch Chiropractic, Coastal Orthopedic, Rainmaker Water, Maine Running Company, AU, MadGabs and HealthSource.

For more information, please contact Brian Curtin at: briancurtin@duoduel.com