Louie Luchini Wins Tour du Lac 10-Miler
Written by Hugh Bowden   
Monday, June 28, 2010 at 10:24 am

Wearing a smile even after seven miles of running, Louie Luchini of Ellsworth lengthens his lead over Mike Bunker of Rockland as he heads for victory in Saturday’s 35th annual Tour du Lac 10-mile road race in Bucksport.—GABE SOUZA

BUCKSPORT — Chalk up yet another win for Louie Luchini.

The 29-year-old former NCAA All-American from Ellsworth took an early lead in the 35th annual Tour du Lac on Saturday and never let it get away.

Luchini, who is running for political office as well as for sport these days, bested a field of 65 runners, finishing well in front of runner-up Mike Bunker, 28, of Rockland with a time of 51 minutes and 46 seconds over the 10-mile course.

Luchini and Bunker, who crossed the line in 52:11, ran together at the head of the field for most of the way with Luchini pulling ahead over the last couple of miles.

The two finished more than three minutes ahead of their closest competitors.

Among the participants were nine runners who have completed at least 10 editions of the race.

Members of the 200-mile club included Chris Jones of Bucksport and Larry Deans of Orland, who completed his 20th race this year.

Those in the 100-mile club included James Burnett of Blue Hill, Margaret Jones of Bucksport, Joan Merriam of Bucksport, Andy Beardsley of Surry, Brian Hubble of Bar Harbor, John Tjepkema of Orono and David Jones of Bucksport.

Andrea Hatch of Castine also started her 10th race but did not complete the course.

The top five finishers also included Adam Goode, 26, of Bangor, third in 55:29; Erik McCarthy, 29, of Orono, fourth in 56:32; and Joseph Capehart, 31, of Bangor, fifth in 57:07.

Among the women runners, Kristine Guaraldo, 33, of South Portland notched her second consecutive win, finishing 15th overall in 1:05:25.

Margaret Capehart, 32, of Bangor was second (24th overall) in 1:14:53; Michele Gagnon, 44, of Ellsworth was third in 1:18:05; Julie Brown, 55, of Millinocket was fourth in 1:18:54; and Linda Mountain, 49, of Mapleton was fifth in 1:19:10.

100- and 200-mile club: Each of these runners has participated in the Tour du Lac at least 10 times. (Front row, from left) Larry Deans (20), Margaret Jones (12), Brian Hubbell (10), Joan Merriam (11), David Benn (20), Andrea Hatch (10) and David Jones (10). It would have been Hatch’s 10th race, however she did not complete the course. (Back row, from left) James Burnett (17), Andy Beardsley (11), Chris Jones (21) and John Tjepkama (10).—GABE SOUZA

Age group winners were:

Female 1-18: Avalon Langevin, 16, of Bucksport, 1:46:59.

Male 1-18: Jason Swazey, 18, of Bucksport, 1:28.00.

Female 19-29: Miranda Richardson, 27, of Machias, 1:28:26.

Male 19-29: Goode of Bangor.

Female 30-39: Maegan Haney, 33, of Ellsworth, 1:21:48.

Male 30-39: Capehart of Bangor.

Female 40-49: Gagnon of Ellsworth.

Male 40-49: Beardsley of Surry.

Female 50-59: Brown of Millinocket.

Male 50-59: Austin Townsend Jr., 56, of Perry, 1:03:04.

Female 60-69: Nancy Lagin, 60, of Anson, 1:30:26.

Male 60-69: Christopher Almy, 61, of Charleston, 1:11:24.

Male 70-79: Dick Storch, 73, of Orono, 1:35:46.

 

For more sports news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.