The community fundraising series consists of three 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) races and is open to runners and walkers of all ages. Triple Crown registration is $55 and covers all three races. The deadline for Triple Crown registration is June 9, where the price will increase to $65. Individual 5K registration is $20, increasing to $25 on race day. Each event is capped at 800 participants and incentive items are available for the first 300 registrants of each race.

The series opens with the YMCA Fit Fest, Saturday, June 9 at Festival Plaza in Auburn; followed by Emily’s Run on Sunday, July 22 at Edward Little High School and the L-A Bridge Run on Sunday, August 26 at the Rollodrome in Auburn. Each course is USA Track & Field certified.

Each 5K will begin at 9 a.m. and feature chip-timing, prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top male and female finishers and the top-three finishers in nine age categories. Special awards will be presented to the top-three male and female Triple Crown finishers at the conclusion of the series.

The Triple Crown surpassed registration records in each event last year for a combined 1,933 registrants. The series encourages first-time participants and can provide information on various training programs including Couch-to-5K and ME First.

The series’ eco-friendly initiatives include reduced paper consumption via online registration and communication; recycled safety pins, plastic bottles, food boxes, food compost and paper water cups. Large cardboard boxes are also donated for preschool projects. Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and safety pins.

The Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run will precede each 5K at 8:15 a.m. The fun run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

Funds raised will benefit community programs including programs offered by the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA; the Fletcher Foundation, which provides ELHS student athletes with $1,000 college scholarships along with a donation to the Auburn Public Library; and The Bridge Run Foundation, which presents local teenagers with scholarships for outdoor activities.

For more information including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.triplecrown5k.com.

Online registration is closed and race day registration will be begin at 7:15 a.m.

The L-A Bridge Run will feature prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top three finishers in nine age categories. The USA Track & Field certified course will begin and end on Riverside Drive in Auburn. It is moderately flat and includes a handful of bridges connecting the Twin Cities. The Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run will precede the 5K at 8:15 a.m. The run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

The Triple Crown Series, now in its fourth year, continues to set registration records, drawing a combined 1,864 entries in 2010. The June 11 YMCA Fit Fest drew a race record 607 entries and Emily’s Run set a series record with 667 registrants on July 24. A new green initiative promotes the recycling of water bottles, food compost, cardboard and clean paper.

Funds raised through the series will benefit community programs including various Auburn-Lewiston YMCA youth offerings; the Fletcher Foundation, which provides two college scholarships to ELHS students along with a donation to the Auburn Public Library; and the Bridge Run Foundation, which promotes a health conscious community, presents local teenagers with scholarships for outdoor activities and provides a venue to bring people together, making our community a better place to live, work and play.

There are still plenty of volunteer opportunities available including set up, course monitor and clean up. For more information, please visit www.triplecrown5k.com.

Complete Results / Awards / Photos

Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run participants enjoy a post-race shower.

AUBURN – Nearly 500 runners and walkers have registered for Emily’s Run, the second round of the Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series presented by Maine Orthopaedic Foundation. The event will take place Sunday, July 24 at 9 a.m. at Edward Little High School.

Registration is $20 per person and is available through the event website – www.triplecrown5k.com. Race day registrations will be accepted at 7:15 a.m.

Entering its seventh year, Emily’s Run is held in memory of Emily Fletcher, a former Edward Little student who lost her life in a car accident on December 18, 2004; she was 21. She was a standout in ELHS cross country and track; and excelled in the classroom, leading her to double major in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Vermont. Emily grew up in Auburn with her parents Ralph and Lyn and her brothers, Ben and Sam.

Along with a full field of eager runners and walkers, Emily’s Run will feature prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top three finishers in nine age categories. The USA Track & Field certified course will begin and end at ELHS. It is moderately hilly and winds through suburban Auburn roads. The Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run will precede the 5K at 8:15 a.m. The run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

The Triple Crown Series, now in its fourth year, continues to set registration records, drawing a combined 1,864 entries in 2010 and 607 entries for the June 11 YMCA Fit Fest. A new green initiative promotes the recycling of water bottles, food compost, cardboard and clean paper. The final round of the series, the LA Bridge Run, is scheduled for Sunday, August 28.

Funds raised will benefit community programs including the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, The Fletcher Foundation and the Bridge Run Foundation.

For more information including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.triplecrown5k.com.

The YMCA Fit Fest is the first round of the Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series presented by Maine Orthopaedic Foundation. Emily’s Run is next up for the Triple Crown Series. The 5K run/walk in memory of Emily Fletcher will take place Sunday, July 24 at Edward Little High School in Auburn, ME.

Kevin and Mary Perkins of Lewiston run along the Riverwalk as they head to the YMCA Fit Fest finish line in 2010.

Over 400 runners and walkers have registered for the YMCA Fit Fest 5K, the first round of The Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series presented by Maine Orthopaedic Foundation. The event takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 11 at Festival Plaza in Auburn.

Registration is available through the event website – www.triplecrown5k.com – and on race day from 7:15 – 8:30 a.m. Cost is $17 per person through June 10 with an increase to $20 on race day. Triple Crown registration will also be available for $45 per person through June 10, then increasing to $50. Volunteers may also register via the website.

The 3.1 mile USATF certified course is flat and fast, beginning at the corner of Court and Main Streets in Auburn and ending along the Riverwalk leading into Festival Plaza. Robert Gomez of Westbrook broke the course record in 2010 with a time of 15:13 while Tina Meserve’s 2003 time of 17:11 stands as the women’s mark.

Along with a full field of eager runners and walkers, the YMCA Fit Fest will feature prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top three finishers in nine age categories. The Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run will precede the 5K at 8:15 a.m. The run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

The Triple Crown broke attendance records for the second straight year in 2010 with 1,864 combined entries. The series continues with Emily’s Run on Sunday, July 24 at Edward Little High School and the L/A Bridge Run on Sunday, August 28 at the Rollodrome in Auburn.

Funds raised will benefit community programs including the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, The Fletcher Foundation and the Bridge Run Foundation.

For more information including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.triplecrown5k.com.

Runners head into Auburn over the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge during the 2010 L/A Bridge Run.

Registration for the fourth annual Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series presented by Maine Orthopaedic Foundation is now open. Online registration and printable forms are available through the event website – www.triplecrown5k.com. Forms are also be available at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA at 62 Turner Street in Auburn. The series is open to runners and walkers of all ages and each 5K will be capped at 800 participants.

The Triple Crown consists of three 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) events: The YMCA Fit Fest on Saturday, June 11 at Festival Plaza in Auburn; Emily’s Run on Sunday, July 24 at Edward Little High School and the L/A Bridge Run on Sunday, August 28 at the Rollodrome in Auburn.

Registration for all three 5Ks is $45 and individual 5K registration is $17. Prices will increase to $50 and $20, respectively, after June 10. Incentive items are available for the first 300 registrants of each event.

Each 5K will begin at 9 a.m. and feature USATF certified courses, prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top three finishers in nine age categories. The Auburn Firefighters Kids’ Fun Run will precede each 5K at 8:15 a.m. The run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

The top overall Triple Crown male and female finishers will receive $200, second-place will receive $100 and $50 will be awarded to third-place finishers.

The Triple Crown broke attendance records for the second straight year in 2010 with 1,864 combined entries. The series encourages first-time participants and can provide information on various training programs including Couch to 5K and ME First.

Funds raised will benefit community programs including the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, The Fletcher Foundation and the Bridge Run Foundation.

For more information including volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.triplecrown5k.com.