AUGUSTA -- Many of the top runners in central Maine will get a look at Cony High School's new trails today at the Scot Laliberte Memorial Cross Country Coed Invitational.

As of Thursday, there were 18 teams and 470 entrants registered to run in the 8th annual event, named for the former Cony runner who was killed in an automobile accident on Mother's Day in 2000. In the previous seven years, the race has been held at the University of Maine at Augusta.

"This will be the first time the new trails behind Cony have ever been run in competition," Cony coach Shawn Totman said. "So we'll definitely have a course record."

The race format remains the same with boys and girls varsity teams running at the same time and being scored together. The varsity race begins at 4 p.m. followed by a junior varsity race approximately 45 minutes later.

Waterville won the event last year, followed by Brunswick and Maranacook. All three teams are back and figure to be strong again.

The boys race features many of the top runners who competed last year, including Winthrop's Danny Soltan who placed second, Leavitt's Justin Fereshetian who took third and Cony's Luke Fontaine who finished fourth. Morse's Jason Kaake, Lewiston's Robbie Leeman and Mt. Blue's Eric Marceau each finished in the top 10 last year and figure to contend again.

"The schools that do well are the ones with strong girls teams," Totman said.

That would include Maranacook, led by senior Jenny Monsulick. Waterville, led by Hannah Bard, will also be strong while Cony has a strong top runner in Kaitlin Clifford.

Community Services Director Leif Dahlin will start the race, Totman said, because of the hours of time he put in to help get the trails ready.

"We're hoping to get a KVAC, regional or state meet at Cony in the next few years," Totman said. "That's the long-range goal."

Today's race will cover 3 miles and the trail will be slightly easier than the one used in the regular season.

"I would say it's pretty challenging," Totman said. "The first mile is going to be fast. The second mile is by far the toughest with a 500-600 meter hill in the middle, and the finish is downhill to a flat last mile."

An awards ceremony will be held in the school gymnasium following the race.

"It's a perfect way to start the season," Totman said. "Boys and girls will run together."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com