TURNER — Maine’s first 100-mile trail race, the Riverlands 100, will take place in May at the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park in Turner, hosted by the Pownal-based running club Trail Monster Running.

The race starts at 6 a.m. Saturday, May 13, and runners will be given 32 hours — running through the night — to complete the race, according to race co-director Valerie Abradi. The last runner must be in by 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14.

The club has hosted sold-out trail running races in the Pownal area for years, but this spring will be its first 100-miler.

“The trail is a rolling ATV path that has a little of everything: river views of the Androscoggin, dense forest, ups and downs, some rocks and roots and probably lots of mud and puddles,” Abradi said. “Right now, it looks like the Bradford Loop will be the most difficult part of the trail.  It’s a 2-mile stretch that they (runners) will travel five times during the course of the 100 miles.”

“Some logging that went on there this winter has changed the trail, but that’s all part of trail running; trails change. Weather can really impact the conditions.  Personally, I always find the miles between 60 to 70 to be the hardest no matter what the trail is,” Abradi said. 

The run is a Trail Monster Running event, but Abradi said they are lucky to have Turner Timberland ATV Club lending a hand; the trails at Androscoggin Riverlands State Park are the club’s home base. “They are hosting our pre-race pasta dinner (at Boofy Quimby Memorial Center) and, more importantly, having ATVs on hand to run volunteers and supplies to the aid stations,” Abradi said.

More than 100 people have entered in solo and relay divisions. Openings are still available in the solo division. Registration closes May 10. 

The club is looking for more volunteers to help with the race. “We want to let the locals know what exciting things are happening in their own backyard,” team member Sarah Adelberg said. 

The club’s website is recommending that competitors and their support teams consider Martin Stream Campground and local hotels for accommodations, as well as Turner-area businesses for food and supplies. 

A map of the running trail for the race on May 12. Participants will run 100 miles over two days. Numbers indicate mile markers; stars indicate aid stations. 

Elevation of the trail