Seven years ago, Stu Palmer had been intrigued with starting a race that simulated the "Fresh Pond" 5 mile Saturday morning races in Cambridge, MA and the Wednesday night race that the Lowell Spinners put on during the Summer. His solution was to have a no frills race/tempo run every Wednesday night. Runners and Walkers could participate in a race at NO CHARGE, receive a time and go home. May participation was usually in the single digits, with a peak of 40+ participants in August.

In 2005, Stu Palmer and I collaborated on how to take the event and make it more meaningful to the Running and Portland Community, without changing the integrity of a "free" weekly race. The race had grown and Stu needed support to keep things structured and organized. At every race he also was offered money and/or people wanted to contribute to support what they saw as a great event and weekly effort by Stu.

We came up with the idea that the race was made possible by the Portland Parks Department and Portland Trails and the Trails Network. This is often mentioned as one of the reasons Portland is ranked as one of the top ten healthiest and fittest cities in America. The Back Cove is littered with multitudes of Runner's and Walker's every day and night. Often, we take for granted what a wonderful and important resource the Back Cove is. We wanted to raise the awareness and create a way to raise money to help maintain this resource. After all, if runners were going to offer or contribute money, we might as well have "Our Host" meaning "Portland Trails" be the beneficiary.

With the help of Nan Cumming, Executive Director of Portland Trails, Mark Goettel, Mizuno, Maine Running Company and Blaine Moore's "Run To Win" website hosting sign up and race results, The Back Cove 5K Series has continued to prosper. The series maintains the integrity of a free event, but participants can contribute or purchase a "Weekly Back Cove Series" Technical Tee provided by Mizuno, for $20. All the contributions and proceeds go to support "Portland Trails". Additionally, there are overall series standings, with the top male and female's best 6 average time receiving a year's supply (four pair) of Mizuno Running Shoes. Last year, a community spirit award was added, as a way to recognize folks who volunteer, contribute or make an effort to support the WBCS event. Micheal Beaudoin was the inagural winner of the "Community Spirit" award.

This year, I was surprised when we had 240 pre-registered runner's. Our first race, always held the first Wednesday after the Sea Dogs Mother's Day 5K, included 146 participants. Week two had 308 pre-registered with 175 participants. Both events were conducted in an orderly and efficient manner with no major issues, due mainly to the pre-registration and efforts of our four sponsors. Additionally, the race sponsors have never had designs on creating a race that is unmanageable and if such occured, certainly we would adjust.

Every year I am approached by running community folks commenting about the increase in numbers. Once the runners begin, the entire event takes 30 minutes. After three minutes, the group is spread out enough that no one on the trail is effected. In essence, every runner/walker on the Back Cove, is not effected. This is an event that trancends the three minute group dispersion and calls for some patience by the wednesday night surge taking place. So far, that patience and courtesy has been extended by every runner and walker and Portland Trails thanks you!

Finally, there is a reason that commercializm doesn't permeate during the WBCS. The Back Cove is a place where folks go to "get away" from it all. Perhaps this is why there seems to be a celebratory atmosphere every Wednesday evening...people know there are no coupons or flyers shoved in their face.... just a run, get a time, high five and go home.

So next time you see a herd of runner's go by you on a Wednesday night, remember it is all part of helping our community maintain and protect a vital resource that makes Portland, Maine the Jewel that it is. For more information regarding the Weekly Back Cove Series Go Here!