Maine Distance Festival returns to Bowdoin for 10th year
Regina Jacobs hopes to break the 20-year-old American record in the 1,500-meter run.
BRUNSWICK – When Regina Jacobs circles the date of the New Balance Maine Distance Festival on her calendar, it’s time to grab the United States track and field record book in one hand and a red pen in the other.
Jacobs broke the American outdoor record for 5,000 meters at Whittier Field on the Bowdoin College campus on Independence Day 1998. One year later, the Californian eclipsed the 1,000-meter standard.
After a four-year hiatus, Jacobs returns to the Distance Festival on Saturday night with her eyes on a third historic prize. Mary Decker Slaney’s 20-year old mark of 3 minutes, 57.12 seconds in the 1,500 meters may be in jeopardy.
“I have great respect for (Slaney’s) record,” said co-meet director Steve Podgajny, “but the fact that Regina is the first woman under four minutes indoors and is the world record holder indoors bodes well. She doesn’t say she’s going after a record unless she is sure that she has a real shot.”
Slaney set her time in the metric mile – equivalent to about 4:15 in an actual mile – in Stockholm, Sweden.
One attraction for Jacobs this weekend is the possibility of raising the bar on native soil in a location where she has developed a loyal following.
“I first came to Maine because of many friends who had raced there,” said Jacobs. “They told me that was the place to set the 5,000 record because of the tremendous fans. After my past success, Maine is the place for me.”
At the time of Jacobs’ record run of 14:52.49 in the 5,000, it was the fastest-ever time on a North American track and the first distance record set at a United States facility in two decades. Her 1,000-meter time of 2:31.80 was the fastest in the world in 1999.
Jacobs is a four-time Olympian and a four-time medalist at the World Championships. She won indoor gold in the 1,500 at the 1995 worlds.
Saturday’s meet marks the 10th anniversary of the Distance Festival.
“This is our deepest meet overall since the 2000 Olympic year,” Podgajny said.
In addition to the usual slate of running events, a men’s javelin competition has been added. Canadian Scott Russell, a 2002 NCAA champion at Kansas, could become the first person to throw 90 meters (over 290 feet) on North American soil.
“I believe that he can throw 90 meters soon,” said event coordinator Tom Petranoff, a former world record holder and Olympian. “Whether it (happens) at the Festival or not, who knows?”
Maine athletes are showcased in the schoolboy mile and elite men’s 5,000 meters.
The three state high school champions – Eric Giddings, Ben True and Brandon Bonsey – and Belfast standout Levi Miller are the favorites in the mile. True, of Class B Greely High School, recently won the New England title in 4:12.28, more than three seconds faster than the festival record set by Ben Fletcher of Auburn in 1999.
Six-time NCAA All-American Louie Luchini of Stanford, an Ellsworth native, returns to Maine for the 5,000. Luchini recently finished second in the NCAAs and fifth at the U.S. Nationals.
Olympians and international competitors galore highlight the field throughout the elite events. Competition begins at 5 p.m. and should conclude shortly after 8 o’clock.
Tickets at the gate are $7 for adults and $3 for students. Under 12 will be admitted free.
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