Local Area: Our racing venue is on the lower part of the Penobscot River’s main stem and is located in Penobscot County, ME. The Penobscot Nation and the University of Maine provide myriad cultural and educational opportunities, and the region is blanketed with rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and mountains for unlimited recreational opportunities. Baxter Park, Mount Katahdin, Maine’s tallest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, and the new Katahdin Woods National Monument is about 2.5 hours north of the race venue. Maine’s coast, including Acadia National Park, is about an hour from the venue.

Food and accommodations: The University Inn and Academic Suites, in Orono, is offering a 25% discount for racers staying for the entire event. The University Inn is on the banks of the Stillwater River and is within easy walking distance of Orono’s local brewery taproom, coffee shops, and fine eateries.

University Inn and Academic Suites (www.universityinnorono.com)
Black Bear Inn (www.bestwestern.com)
For a complete list of area hotels and motels, go to:www.bangorinfo.com/lodging.html
For a complete list of area campgrounds, go to:www.bangorinfo.com/Directories/bangor_campgrounds.html

Directions: The Penobscot River and the towns along the racecourse are easily accessible off Interstate 95 in south central Maine. Interstate exits in Bangor connect to state highways that parallel both banks of the river. This allows access to the finish line at the Eddington Salmon Club in the east side of the river as well as ways to drive upstream to the start in Old Town. Interstate exits for Orono and Old Town provide more direct access to the race start and headquarters.

Weather: Daytime temperatures in July vary from low 70s to low 90s with nights sometimes cooling into the upper 50s and 60s. Humidity can vary a lot and some days can be very hot and humid. Maine’s rainfall is spread relatively evenly throughout the year and should be expected at times during the week of the event. Water temperatures are likely to be in the upper 60s or lower 70s.