Harrison 5K thanks all

To the Editor:

The 10th Annual Harrison Recreation Department's 5K Run by the Lake had 163 racers crossing the finish line for their whoopie pies on July 11! The race is held every year as a fundraiser for the Harrison Recreation Department! All proceeds help with year-round activities, for ages one to 99, offered by Paula Holt, our Recreation Director.

Between the increase in registrations, the many sponsors and with prize donations doubling (second and third place received prizes), we profited over $1,400! This is fabulous for the Rec Department! We could not have had such a successful race without the help of all of the following many hands involved.

Huge thanks to the following businesses that helped make this year's race profitable and successful: Olde Mill Tavern, Food City, R.W. Merrill Electrical Contractor, Inc., Olympia Sports, The Village Tie Up, Bob The Screenprinter, Worster's Marine Center, Gateway Marina, Inc., Maine Survey Consultants, Inc., Henry's Concrete Construction, Inc., Michael G. Friedman-Attorney At Law, Don Smith Masonry, Market Basket, Inc.,and North Country Home Watch.

Also, Robert L. Kimball, Esq., P.A., The Ballroom, Dyer Excavation & Septic, Evergreen Tree & Landscape Co. Inc., Northeast Bank, Harrison Insurance Agency, Keoka Beach Campground, Poland Spring, Ruby Slippers Cafe & Bakery, Trish Logan L&H Photography, Morning Dew Natural Food and Deli, White Wulff Farm, Crystal Lake Spa and Hair Salon, R.G. Johnson Ski & Sports, Cindi Kugell-Stampin' Up ®Demonstrator and The Printery.

Also, Sporthaus, Caswell House Restaurant, Bolster's Mills General Store, Magic Lantern, Flagship Cinema in Oxford, Dunkin Donuts in Bridgton, Subway in Naples, Brookside Ice Cream, Reny's Department Store, and Bridgton Books!

Special thanks to the following that helped make this year's race a success: Jim McCorkle from 5K Sports Race Management Services for our timing again this year; Stanley Tupaj (Race Director for the Lovell 5K) for his mentoring and continued support at the finish line; our friendly Harrison variety stores - The Village Tie-Up and the Market Basket - for always “going the extra mile” for us.

Also, the entire Harrison Town Office personnel for handling 5K paperwork, phone calls, etc. for always helping us and our racers with a smile; Harrison road staff for removal of speed bumps; Rich Jennings for keeping our race information posted, in between his other postings at RADR; Ed Soucy for both his road assistance with the racers and providing his two-way radios (which were a huge help).

We would also like to thank the following people for their taping and/or photography services: Jim Likshis,from LRTV, Wayne Rivet from The Bridgton News, Trish Logan www.landhphoto.com (contact for photos) and our Town Manager, George Finch (who was out and about taking photos).

Great thanks for traffic control and emergency services that were on site, and available to help if needed: The Harrison Fire Department's Assistant Chief, Jeffrey Murphy for organizing all of his volunteers for starting the race, traffic control to keep all racers and participants safe and for having EMT Staff centrally located for downtown coverage and for having United Ambulance located at the North Bridgton Beach for coverage towards that end of Town.

All of our volunteers – you know who you are – thank you: We could not offer this race without you! Your time, dedication, assistance, etc. in all areas (too many to list) – without your help, as simple as it may seem to you, it is huge to us! All of us are a piece of this race puzzle, and magically, all of the pieces (us) fit together perfectly and there we have it – the puzzle is complete!

Look for in 2013: raffle drawings, water mist sprayers along the course, and so much more! Look us up on the Town of Harrison’s website: www.harrisonmaine.org for photos/runner times, etc. Also, to order race photos, contact Trish at www.landhphoto.com! .. and be sure to “like” us on Facebook!

Again, sincere appreciation and personal thanks to all of you - and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

Tammy Anderson

Julie Crawford-Murphy

Race Directors

Harrison Rec 5K