Music filled the air in Lewiston and Auburn Sunday as the inaugural Bands on the Run Half Marathon and 5K to benefit Museum L-A kicked off.  

“One of the things that really attracted people was that the run seemed attainable,” Rachel Desgrosseilliers, executive director of Museum L-A, said. “There were 10 bands playing throughout the two cities and that was something people really liked.”

More than 800 runners, joggers and walkers took off on Mill Street in the Bates Mill Complex at various times Sunday morning.  After completing their events — including the half marathon, 5K and an extremely popular Kids Obstacle Course — racers crossed the finish line into a post-race festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park.

Desgrosseilliers said having bands play at various locations throughout the course is what made the road race a draw for runners, joggers and walkers alike. Ten bands played outdoor shows at various locations around L-A.

“That was very good for a first year race,” Boucher said of the turnout. “The local L-A community got a pretty good event.”

The new event replaced the museum’s former Duathlon of Historic Proportion, which had a run-bike-run format.

Event director Erik Boucher said he was more than pleased by the day’s results — from weather to bands to participation. He said organizers were hoping for about 800 participants, but 810 people registered by the time the race started.

The kids obstacle course drew more than 150 kids. 

Desgrosseilliers said she did not have a final total yet of the money raised for the museum thanks to the event, but organizers expect it will be between $8,000 and $10,000.

Nearly 100 volunteers came together to make the event a success. The courses were mostly run on the road, but some parts of the half marathon were on the dirt path along the Androscoggin River.

Desgrosseilliers pointed out how the event was also a boost to the entire community.

“I think next year is going to be even bigger,” she said.

Here are the top 10 finishers in Sunday’s inaugural Bands on the Run Half Marathon and 5K Race in the Twin Cities to support Museum L-A. For a complete listing of race results, check out www.coolrunning.com.

1. Moninda Marube, 33, Auburn, 1:15:24.0

2. Matt Peabody, 21, Portland, 1:20:54.5

3. Thomas Esponnette, 23, Auburn, 1:21:55.0

4. John Keller, 54, Gray, 1:29:26.6

5.  Bob Poirier, 57, Minot, 1:30:18.2

6. David Schneider, 27, Topsham, 1:30:29.0

7. Michael Cwiklinski, 35, South Portland, 1:30:48.2

8. James Machowski, 36, of Wales, 1:30:49.4

9. Connie Lizotte, 35, of Phippsburg, 1:31:02.7

10. Adam West, 29, of Auburn, 1:31:07.6