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History––the First 25 Years

 

The Cobscook Bay 10K for Down East Hospice had its genesis in the early 1990s, as an effort to create a certified 10-kilometer road race in Washington County, Maine. Our paved and gravel course, which begins near Route 1 in Pembroke, follows the western reaches of Cobscook Bay—the easternmost saltwater bay in the United States—and finishes at Pembroke’s majestic Reversing Falls.

 

Over the past 25 years, the Cobscook Bay Races have brought together our small, coastal communities—participants, volunteers, and local businesses––in support of Down East Hospice. We have shared the special beauty and character of the Quoddy region with participants from all over the US and Canada. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities have competed in the challenging 10K and 5K courses and the (10 and under) 1-Mile Fun Run.

 

The course records for the 10K (Judson Cake, 32:59 ; Sarah Mulcahy, 39:07) were hard-earned on this challenging course—particularly in the approach to the finish at Reversing Falls.

 

The Cobscook Bay 10K is part of the TradeWinds Market/Sub-5 Track Club series and is supported by the Sunrise Athletic Club (SAC).

 

In late 2016 race founder/director Jonathan Aretakis began a collaboration with fellow distance runner Eric Mauricette, who will serve as co-director in 2017 and take over as race director going forward. Eric brings both competitive running and event management experience to the Cobscook Bay Races. The future of this important event is in good hands.

 

 

Down East Hospice

 

The Cobscook Bay Races support the mission of Down East Hospice, the only nonprofit all-volunteer hospice that provides cost-free comfort care for the terminally ill, the grieving, and their families throughout Washington County.

 

All proceeds from the race support the mission of Down East Hospice—providing no-cost care to individuals and families in Washington County.

 

Each year the Down East Hospice Volunteers host a popular post-race barbeque and awards ceremony near the finish at Reversing Falls Park.

 

 

The People and the Region

 

We are a vibrant race-day community of runners, walkers, volunteers, spectators, and big-hearted supporters of the Hospice mission.

 

The Cobscook Bay Races foster a unique Downeast spirit that values community and compassion, goal-setting and personal achievement.

 

The easternmost reaches of Downeast Maine, known as the Quoddy region, is one of coastal Maine’s least developed places—described by some as “the way Maine used to be”––and a great place to visit with family and friends.

 

In a short drive from the finish line at Reversing Falls, visitors can easily access:

 

--the historic border towns of Eastport and Lubec

 

--Campobello Island, NB, home of Roosevelt Cottage and the Provincial Park

 

--The Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge, approximately 20,000 acres of natural splendor for hiking, biking, paddling, and nature-watching.

 

--West Quoddy Head State Park, the easternmost point in the United States, with commanding views of the Bay of Fundy.

 

--Cobscook Bay State Park, with saltwater camping (tent and RV)

 

…as well as the unspoiled lakes, rivers, and coastline of the Sunrise County.

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