There are two primary reasons why the annual Festival of Champions event in Belfast is a Maine high school cross country season highlight. First, it draws most Maine teams, as well as teams from New England and beyond, making it the largest gathering of high school cross country runners in Maine. The exuberant, overflowing crowd of young athletes, with their colorful tents and entourages, makes for a truly festive atmosphere.

The second reason is the Troy Howard race course is one of the fastest in the state, providing runners with a golden opportunity to blast their personal records.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Seahawks enjoyed both of the Festival of Champions’ primary attractions, turning in some awe-dropping times.

“It was an absolutely perfect day for racing: dry, firm ground with overcast skies and cool temps. There were a lot of highlights, but I think that the most telling aspect of the day was that of the 16 BRHS athletes who competed yesterday, 10 ran lifetime PRs and another 3 people ran season PRs,” Coach Nick Scott wrote in an email.

Leading the boys team, Blake Erhard and Kyle Ames both shattered the 18-minute mark barrier, while setting new personal records. Erhard completed the course in a steamy 17:39 and Ames charged in at 17:50. For perspective, last week at the University of Maine at Augusta, Erhard ran an 18:40 5K and Ames 19:13.

Scott reports that Saturday’s finish makes Erhard the sixth fastest cross country runner to don the blue and gold and Ames the second fastest Seahawk junior on record.

The front-runners weren’t the only Seahawks churning up the dirt. Freshman Will Perkins almost made it into the freshman boys top ten, finishing 13th at 18:33. Perkins finished a full minute faster than his previous best and posted the fifth fastest Seahawk freshman time on record.

Rowan Kristan (19:18), Sam Betts (20:09), Sam Burnham (20:43), Tim Chappelle (22:24), Pat Conlin (22:57), and Jacob Echols (23:34) all set lifetime PRs and Bayly Gaughan-Carrasco (19:36) and Will LaBrecque (20:33) set season PRs on Saturday.

For the girls, Faith Blethen had the novel experience of not running a race by herself. Blethen earned a medal for placing 17th in the seeded girls race, crossing the finish line at 19:53.

Kate Friant and Loren Genrich ran together throughout much of the race. Both girls set a fast pace, but like Blethen did not exceed their previous PRs. Friant completed the course at 23:14 and Genrich at 23:35.

Lincoln Hamblett (26:34) set a season PR on Saturday, but the ailing Hamblett still has a way to go to get back to her former level. Last season, Hamblett posted a PR of 22:49. Delly Clarkson (36:46) set a new lifetime PR on Saturday.

This week the Seahawks travel to Lisbon for the last race of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 7.