Tim Long wears his Moxie T-shirt in the Sahara Desert.

If you sign up for the 2011 Moxie Day 5K Road Race on Saturday, July 9, then you may meet fellow runner Tim Long. Tim, a Brunswick native currently living in Morocco, considers the run a “must do” event.

Tim and his wife Carolin return to Maine about every two years. In 2009, they decided to participate in the Moxie Day 5K Race.

Tim wrote in a recent e-mail: “Unlike other races we have been in, there was no jockeying for a better start position, no anxious anticipation of the starting gun; instead there was casual conversation, joking and laughing, pats on the back and a general feeling of collective fun.

“To make a long story short, we ran and we finished; not knowing or really caring about our time or place in the race. While driving back to Brunswick, I recall thinking how this day marked a moment of great enjoyment and humble pride in the warmth and simplicity of life in Maine.

“A short time after returning to Ecuador (where we have been living for the past 10 years), I found myself wearing my Moxie shirt often, feeling even more prideful of my Maine heritage and our iconic beverage. I even brought back a few bottles of the good stuff to share with friends, trying to convince them that while Moxie may be a peculiar drink and an acquired taste, it is more than that.

“There is a certain intangible quality to Moxie; inside each bottle of bitter-sweet elixir are years of tradition, countless stories, and myriad moments that represent the essence of Maine. This is when I began my own Moxie tradition: my shirt would accompany me, like a bright orange security blanket, on some of my most exciting travel adventures.

“And now, with my prized Moxie shirt somewhat battered and a bit faded in color (but not in spirit), we are on our way back to Maine for another summah visit. As always our trip will include all the usual “musts:” lobstah and steamahs, I-talian sandwiches from the corner store, Frosty’s Donuts, Fat Boy Drive-in, chili dogs on The Mall, Wicked Joe’s every morning, camping on Casco Bay, candle pin bowling, maybe a Sea Dogs game, and definitely fireworks on the fourth—and now, we officially add our newest “must” to the list: the Moxie 5K! See you at the starting line!”

The Lisbon Recreation Department and the Moxie Festival Committee are pleased to announce that the application for the 2011 Moxie Day 5K Road Race (3.1 mile) on Saturday, July 9 is now available. Last year’s Moxie 5K Race attracted over 480 runners from throughout New England.

The 16th Annual Moxie Day 5K Road Race begins at 7:30 a.m., rain or shine. It is an early and quick scenic run through the outskirts of Lisbon Falls. The route includes two steep upgrades, one at the start and the second at the two-mile mark. The Moxie 5K Race begins and ends near Lisbon High School. The $15 preregistration and $20 day of race fee includes a free Moxie 5K Race T-shirt.

Prizes will be awarded to the first male and female finishers. Awards will also be given to the first and second place male and female finishers in the following age categories: 12 and under, 13-16; 17-19; 20 – 29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70 and over. Additional awards will be given to the first male and female “Lisbon Resident” finishers!

There is also a Kids Pre-Race Fun Run starting at 7 a.m., when kids of all ages race and everyone receives a prize.

Since 1983, The Moxie Festival in Lisbon has been held on the second weekend in July. The 2011 Moxie Festival weekend is July 8-10. The Festival now includes a three-day Pow Wow; Friday night fireworks; a Saturday parade, Festival, and 5K race, and on Sunday, the Chief Worumbo Androscoggin River Race. Moxie was designated Maine’s official soft drink on May 20, 2005.

To get a Moxie 5K race application and map, visit the Moxie Festival website: www.moxiefestival.com or call the Lisbon Recreation Department at 353-2289.