Frank Sternberg’s hamstrings were on fire despite the cold weather as he crossed the finish line around 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon to win the Millinocket Marathon, having completed the 26.2 mile double loop on the Golden Road in 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 53 seconds.
It was the 24-year-old Bangor resident’s first marathon ever, and Millinocket’s first since COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the race last year.
“It feels amazing,” he said, as he celebrated with his partner and friends who had driven up to support him.
Maine Running Hall of Famer Gary Allen, who lives on Mount Desert Island and founded the Mount Desert Island Marathon, founded the Millinocket Marathon and Half in 2015 as a way to shore up support for Millinocket and the Katahdin region as the area has shed population following the closure of both its storied paper mills and struggled to regain its economic footing.
Saturday’s…
