2:53:25 (1:26:17, 1:27:08), 1st place male. 2 loop course. Out slow with the goods. One block downhill at the start before immediate 90 degree left turn, then uphill a half mile, right turn on to the Golden Road. Course reconnaissance from Thursday showed the Golden Rd was hard packed snow over ice. Course intelligence from this morning was they had graded (like a plow with a toothed blade to score the surface) and sanded. I elected to wear YakTrax and was glad I did. Others seemed to be slipping or searching for better footing. Clear skies and views of Katahdin on the way out. Spent most of that time chatting with Iain (a very accomplished marathoner/ultramarathoner who finished 2nd) and running in 3rd/4th. Two right turns to get on to bare pavement having gained approx 500 ft since the start and very happy to have the downhill and wind at my back. YakTrax off and in hand. Also carried a handheld bottle that I refilled 4 times at impromptu water stations (the rumors of aid were true, though I benefited from planning ahead). Very controlled through the half, moving into the lead in the 12th mile. Uphill again, YakTrax back on at the Golden Rd (while putting them on I lost most of the lead I’d built, but it paid off). Conditions were noticeably worse sapping more power than on the first lap: chewed up snow over ice. Didn’t see any competition on the Golden Rd, but started to pass half marathoners (walkers at this point by about 18mi). Again a relief to get on dry pavement, YakTrax off. Passing a steady stream of half marathoners the rest of the way in with continuous mutual cheering. Considered taking a shot at one of many generous liquored-up aid-stations. Cruised down Penobscot Ave for the last time to the tape (a real tape!).