The men’s and women’s HarborFest 5k winners objective during the second annual race was to beat the competition and the clock. The winners not only finished first in their respective races, but also achieved their personal goals.

Nick Scott, 33, of Boothbay won the men’s division with a 16 minute and 29 second mark. His goal was to finish the 3.1 mile course in 16 minutes and 30 seconds. Scott led the race from the start and victory never seemed in doubt.

“I had the home course advantage. I knew I could run hard on the first part because it was downhill, and conserve energy around mile three because it was uphill,” Scott said. “I won the race, but I still wanted to beat my goal.”

New Hampshire resident Jennifer Cusick, 50, also dominated her race with a 23 minute 27 second mark. Her strategy was simple.

“I wanted to beat 24 minutes and that’s what I did,” she said.

The HarborFest 5k drew 140 runners: 37 female and 38 male. The HarborFest half marathon drew 65 runners - 43 female and 22 male - who ran the 13.1 mile course.

The half-marathon winners were Jimmie Cochran who won the men’s race in one hour 25 minute and 11 seconds. Lauren Murray won the female division in one hour thirty seven minute and 8 seconds. The men’s runner-up was Luke Merkel who finished 4 minutes and 26 behind Cochran. Female runner-up Margaret Giles finished six minutes and 8 seconds behind Murray.

The two races drew competitors from 17 states.

The HarborFest races are a fundraiser for the Central Lincoln County and Boothbay Region YMCA’s. CLC YMCA chief executive officer Meagan Hamblett said race proceeds would either fund a diabetes prevention or a summer learning program.

Video by ART MAYERS/Boothbay Register