Bar Harbor Half Marathon results and records.

[MRF]

Congratulations to the 2008 Bar Harbor Half Marathon champion Mike Bunker who recorded the 7th fastest time and was the 9th person ever to run under 1:10 on this historic and demanding course. (click on bold times / names below for complete results)

(note: we were contacted by a race official and Mike Gaige's time was added to this list. Mike is a deserving member of the Me Running Hall of Fame. This bumps the times above to #8 and #9.)

1:07:06 Paul McGovern (Bar Harbor Half Marathon course record, 1991)

1:08:01 Robert Pierce (2nd fastest, 1996)

1:08:20 Sam Wilbur (3rd fastest, 1995)

1:08:30 Edward Sheehan (4th fastest, 1993)

1:08:36 Mike Gaige (5th fastest, 1982)

1:09:14 Tom Bowmaster (6th fastest, 1991)

1:09:34 Andy Palmer (7th fastest, 1991)

1:09:35 Mike Bunker (8th fastest, 2008)

1:09:37 Evan Graves (9th fastest, 2004)

1:09:55 Andrew Spaulding (10th fastest, 1996)

[MRF]

CLICK HERE to view a thread about some conflicting information about who actually has the course records at the Bar Harbor Half Marathon.

[MRF]

Bar Harbor Half Marathon Course Certifications and Records

As in the case of the Boston Marathon their starting line and their finish lines have changed slightly over the years while still maintaining a fully certified 42.195 km course. Most importantly records absolutely count from any of the certified Boston Marathon course configurations. Perhaps the MDI YMCA doesn't know that courses must be re-certified every 10 years but this process does not erase records set on their previously certified course layouts?

The MDI YMCA lists the following statement on their website:

What are the course records?
For thirty years, runners have been logging excellent times on this challenging course. The men’s certified course record is held by local boy Evan Graves, (2004) 1:09:37. Joan Benoit Samuelson (1997) holds the women’s record 1:17:06.

The 2004 record listed by Mr Graves is not accurate although he did run a certified 21.0975 km (13.109 mile) half marathon (ME90005GN) just as the latest champion, Mike Bunker did.

However Paul McGovern ran 1:07:06 on a certified version (ME90011GN) of this 21.0975 km (13.109 mile) course in 1991. Even if the MDI-YMCA may have adjusted their start or finish line locations slightly and certainly their race directors since 1991, the majority of their route remains the same, just as in the case of the Boston Marathon, who have also adjusted their start / finish lines over the years, while still maintaining a certified race route, where all records count forever. The times of Mr Graves (2004) and Mr Bunker (2008) are not course records and they never have been. They both should step up and set the record straight. The MDI YMCA, if they are going to put on a running event should also step up and recognize their long history. Maine runners should also take note that this race doesn't appear to recognize its own historical race results or at the very least records recorded on their certified route. If they are going to put on a race they should at least adhere to the number one rule of running, provide accurate results.

[MRF]

It was correctly brought to our attention by one of our many fans that if course records only count on the most recent course layout and certification measurements that the records at the Sugarloaf Marathon don't count as seems to be the thinking of those in charge at the Bar Harbor Half Marathon? Thanks for bringing this to our attention, but yes, you are 100% correct the start and finish lines of the Sugarloaf Marathon have changed fairly dramatically over the years (as much as a 1/2 mile) but the records of Bruce Ellis and Yoll Casa in 1986 and 1987 very much count as they were recorded on a certified marathon course, just like Paul McGovern did back in 1991 in Bar Harbor. This issue isn't about taking anything away from anyone, but credit earned, is credit due, period. If we don't stand up for our history who will? We think the larger problem here is that many otherwise well intentioned folks who put on races don't seem to understand that a lot of running happened long before their watches. In the case of events like this with a 30+ year history you simply have to do the work to keep the integrity of records and statistics.

[First to post here?]

My opinion is that any changes to the heart of the course should mean a new course record. Changes to the start/finish area are fine, but if you're running new roads between 0.5 and 12.5miles, then it's not the same course. I would certainly retain the old marks for comparison, but the course record should only be on the currently certified course.

[MRF]

in this case the "heart of the course" remains exactly the same as it was in the 80s, 90s and beyond. Only the start and finish have been altered slightly just like at the Boston Marathon which as we all know has had many alterations including moving their start from Hayden Rowe to Main St and their finish from the Pru to Copley Sq while still keeping the 'teeth' of the course intact. In my opinion the larger probem here is that sometimes groups who put on races with a long history don't take the time to look back and are only concerned with putting on their next event. The reason Ted Corbitt and others started uniform course measurement standards in so these certified marks would count year after year not every time a race switched directors or in this case re-certified their courses, which is required every 10 years.

[First to post here?]

Fair enough. I've never run the course and have no idea, just giving my unbiased opinion. Any changes will have no effect on my standing on the all-time list!