The Fryeburg New Church Assembly plans to hold the Dole 3 Miler Saturday, Aug. 13, as a celebration of the life of Fryeburg native George Dole.
The race will start at 8 a.m. at the Mountain Division Rail Trail at the Maine State Visitor Center, 97 Main St. in Fryeburg.
In 1954, Roger Bannister became the first human to run a mile in less than four minutes. Dole ran in that race.
The Rev. Dr. George F. Dole, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, attended Oxford University in Oxford, England. Having been a strong half-miler while at Yale, Dole decided to continue running at Oxford, according to a news release from Jonathan Crowe, race director of the Dole 3 Miler.
This choice to compete with the Oxford track team led to a fortuitous collision with sporting history when, on May 6, 1954, he found himself one of six runners in one of the most famous athletic events of all time: The first sub-four-minute mile by Bannister.
Bib pickups and registration is open the day before the race from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 12, at the Fryeburg New Church Assembly at 84 Main St., across from the visitor’s center.
The registration fee is $20 in advance, $25 on race day. Proceeds benefit the Fryeburg New Church Assembly, the Fryeburg New Church, and the Mountain Division Rail Trail.
This race is sponsored in large part by Tracksmith of Boston, Massachusetts. Tracksmith is an independent running brand that celebrates the amateur spirit. It is providing $200 gift certificates to the winners, plus many more prizes.
For more information, including registration and sponsorship, visit dole3miler.com.
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