CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine (May 19, 2013) – With cool temps and patchy fog providing ideal conditions for runners, 29-year-old Eric Rudolph of Ellsworth, ME won the 31st Annual Sugarloaf Marathon this morning in 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 25 seconds. Twenty-five year-old Nicole Santos of West Lebanon, NH took home the title in the women’s division, with a time of 2:55:41.

Rudolph set a personal record in capturing his first ever title at the Sugarloaf Marathon, and finished nearly three minutes ahead of his closest competitor, 43-year-old Robert Asbhy of Brunswick, ME, who finished with a time of 2:41:20. Rounding out the top three for the men was 30 year-old Sean McDonouch of Somerville, MA, who crossed the line in 2:42:06.

Santos soundly defeated the rest of the women’s field, finishing nearly 20 minutes in front of runner-up Deborah Slason of Goffstown, NH. Kelsey Karkos of Boston, MA took third place with a time of 3:18:19.

In the 15k, 34 year-old PJ Gorneault of Caribou, ME crossed the line in first place for men in a blistering time of 48 minutes and 50 seconds, while 33 year-old Jenna Krajewski of Hallowell, ME emerged as the women’s champion with at time of 55:36.4.

The Sugarloaf Marathon is sponsored by Landry French Construction and is Maine’s oldest continuously run marathon. As an official qualifying race for the Boston Marathon certified by the United States Track and Field Association (USATF), the Sugarloaf Marathon is wildly popular among running enthusiasts. Despite its mountainous setting, the course is primarily downhill and ends with a gradual 16 mile descent. Marathon runners regularly record personal-best times at Sugarloaf.

All proceeds from the marathon go to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust, which is a private, nonprofit trust dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities that make up the Sugarloaf Area. Last year the marathon raised more than $14,000 for the Trust, which was distributed to deserving organizations in the Sugarloaf area.

The top three men and women in each race receive cash prizes, and all entrants receive a t-shirt, post-race breakfast, massage, and a finisher’s medal.

For complete results from both races, please visit: http://allsportsevents.com/Results/running_results/SugarloafMarathon-15K2013.html

To download high-resolution photos from today’s race, click here.

For more information on the Sugarloaf Marathon, please visit www.sugarloaf.com/marathon.