RUMFORD – The ninth annual Rotary Moontide Water Festival Road Races/Walks and Fun Runs kicked off the festival on July 2. The activities were coordinated from Hosmer Field where all the races started and finished.

Following the races while waiting for the results to be tabulated, the runners took part in a raffle of gift certificates, maple syrup, preserves and other items. Each runner received a commemorative T-shirt and a goody bag.

Awards were presented recognizing overall performance for men and women in each race as well as individual performance in each age group.

Following the presentation of awards, it was established that three of the women running the 10K race ran faster than the record set in 2001 by Merrily Welch. Kelley Cullenberg completed the race in 42:32, reducing the previous record of 47:45 by 5:13. She received a $25 gift certificate. Beth Allen and Brianne Bailey also broke the record with times of 46:50.7 and 46:53.6 respectively.

Volunteers included members of the Rotary Club. Roger Arsenault provided electronic timing service. Four young men along with Richie Philbrick from the group home in Rumford helped.

Several competitors signed up for the inaugural River Valley Three 5K Race Challenge Series. One or more of the racers were also participating in the Maine Games 5k race series.

Overall winners in each race were: one-quarter-mile fun run: Stephanie Nicols and Nathan Nicols; one-mile fun run, Hillary Dolloff and Jared Arsenault; 5K road race, Debra Moreau and Fred Bailey; 10K River Valley road race, Kelley Cullenberg and Brad Clarke.

Race results: one-quarter-mile fun run, Stephanie Nicols, age 5, first; Nathan Nicols, age 11, first.

One-mile fun run: Hillary Dolloff, 13, first; Brook Dolloff, 10, second; Jared Arsenault, 8, first.

5K Road Race (women): Debra Moreau, first; Ann Skulas, second; Nancy Kneeland, third; Kristin Cook-Center, fourth; Candance Dane, fifth.

5K Road Race (men): Fred Bailey, first; Ethan Ray, second; Jeff Arsenault, third; Rishardford, fourth; Jeff Turnbull, fifth.

River Valley 10K (women): Kelley Cullenberg, first; Beth Allen, second; Brianne Bailey, third; Rose Marie Fowler, fourth.

River Valley 10K (men): Brad Clarke, first; Peter Blank, second; Brett Doney, third; Glenn LaLiberty, fourth.