PORTLAND, ME – September 13, 2008 – More than six hundred athletes filled Winslow Park in Freeport, Maine to compete in the seventh annual Lobsterman Triathlon and Aquabike event on Saturday morning. Amidst sunny skies and thousands of spectators, competitors from across the country competed in the thrilling culmination of Tri-Maine's 2008 racing season.
 
In the triathlon event (a .93-mile swim, a 24.7-mile bike ride, and a 6.2-mile run), Thomas McWalters of Thorndike, Maine took top honors among men with a time of 1:58:47; and Amelie Gagnon of Groveland, Massachusetts placed first among women in 2:08:07.
 
Michael Bolio of Concord, Massachusetts beat out thirty-two Aquabike competitors and crossed the finish first among men in 1:30:02; and Katherine Lualdi of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, won the women's title in 1:36:12. The Aquabike consisted of a .93-mile swim and a 24.7-mile bike ride. Additionally, the winning triathlon relay team finished in a time of 2:03:20.
 
The Lobsterman, named one of the "Top 50 Destination Races" in the country in 2004 by Inside Triathlon magazine, hosted competitors and spectators from more than twenty-four different states and provinces and attracted both a full race field and a packed post-race traditional lobsterbake (hosted by Freeport's own Gritty Mc Duff's).
 
"We couldn't have asked for a more spectacular event today," said Tri-Maine Executive Director Will Thomas. "The weather was perfect for fall, the athletes excelled and enjoyed themselves, the race was safe, and the overall spirit of the event marked a phenomenal close to the successful 2008 Tri-Maine season."
 
The Lobsterman benefited STRIVE, a local Portland group dedicated to serving teens and young adults with intellectual and emotional disabilities.
 
Sponsor support for the event came from L.L.Bean, Peak Performance Multisport, Orthopaedics Associates, The Boyne Jordan Group, SmartWater, and SwimVacation, PowerAde, Freeport Merchants Association, Comfort Suites, and Swim Vacation among others. A full listing of sponsors is available on the Lobsterman event page.

Contact:
             
Amy VanHaren, Public Relations Coordinator
Tri-Maine Productions
207.221.5420
amy@tri-maine.com
www.tri-maine.com