WATERFORD — More than 200 runners from across the country participated in Sunday’s 14th annual Fall Foliage 5K race, one mile Fun Run and 5K fitness walk to raise scholarship funds in memory of a longtime Oxford Hill’s School District educator.

“It was great Sunday. Just a fun time,” said Carol Waldeier, who began the event to honor the memory of her husband, Tony Waldeier. He taught fifth grade at the Waterford Elementary School for 35 years and became the school’s teaching principal.

So far, more than $35,000 has been raised for the Tony Waldeier Scholarship Fund. As much as $1,000 is awarded each spring to an Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School senior from Waterford to pursue higher education.

This year, runners came from Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Ohio. The Ohio couple are trying to run in every state.

“This couple is fulfilling a bucket list,” she said, “and they chose this one,” Waldeier said.

Martha Eaton, who did the registrations for the race, said she received an unexpected phone call from Arnie and Linda Elton of Whitehouse, Ohio, both 65, who said they wanted to participate. They came in 96th and 97th in the 5K.

“Now they’re on to Las Vegas,” she said.

The annual event brings hundreds of runners of all ages for a challenging “out and back” course along the shores of Keoka Lake to South Waterford and the Sweden Road.

First place overall winner of the 5K race was Makoto Watanabe, 18, of Hebron.

Saige McGinnis, 12, of Harrison won the female overall 1-mile fun run for the girls, and Matt McCaffrey, 10, of Franklinville, N.J., took the overall fun run title for the boys.

Other runners who won in their categories included: Eva Brannan, 6, of Lunenburt, Mass.; Jake Blais, 6, of Naples; Luci Bourgeois, 7, of Pownal; Allsion Dillon, 13, E. Providence, R.I.; Andrew Chingos, 11, Brunswick; Kari Eldridge 18, Naples; Peter Miller, 17,  Paris; Nina Planson, 26, New Gloucester; Benjamin Grimmig, 23, Summit, N.J.; Jamie Toohey, 36, Waterford; Gardner Waldeier, 31, Waterford.

Also winning in individual categories were: Mary Yearl, 40, Newton, Mass.; Patrick Ridlon, 42, Casco; Anne St. Pierre, 55, Berkley, Mass.; Brian Shibles, 53, Waterford; Nancy Kluck, 60, Bridgton; Peter Rearick, 61, Hebron; Kathy Greenleaf, 71, Norway; Peter Child, 70, Freeport; and Bart Hague, 86, Waterford.

Winners received a bottle of maple syrup and a ribbon.

The Waterford/Harrison PTO fundraiser had its annual chili fundraiser. Hot dogs, muffins and pie were also sold. For the second year in a row, Amy Sawyer of Waterford won the chili cook-off by popular vote.

“The challenge for next year is to give Amy some more competition for the trophy. Anyone can participate, so join us next year,” organizers said in a statement issued after the race. “The fall race is always held on the Sunday of the Columbus Day weekend, so runners and cooks, mark your calendars and we’ll see you then.”

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