BRIDGTON — Mary’s Firemen for a Cure will once again host the organization’s annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser at Shawnee Peak Ski Area on March 7.
The event will again feature the exciting firefighters’ race along with the inaugural Friends of Mary Race, a separate race with no restrictions on who may enter.
Over the past 11 years, Mary’s Firemen has raised over $100,000 for the Maine affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The firefighters’ ski race features races between departments from all over northern New England. Teams of five firefighters race down a slalom course in full turnout gear while carrying a 50-foot length of hose.
The first-ever Friends of Mary Race will begin immediately after the firefighters’ race and will have the same format, but any team of five can register and race down the course carrying the hose. No gear is required. The race is open to anyone, but survivors and those affected by breast cancer are encouraged to enter.
“Mary’s Firemen for a Cure is our largest third-party fundraiser and has helped to fight breast cancer in Maine communities and fund national research to find the cure,” said Victoria Abbott, acting director of the Maine affiliate of Susan G. Komen. “We are sincerely appreciative of their generosity and belief in our mission.”
In 2004, Mary and Wayne Allen started Firemen for a Cure to give firefighters the opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer. Mary was a long-time employee at Shawnee Peak and had successfully fought breast cancer for nearly 10 years. Wayne is a volunteer firefighter in North Bridgton. Mary and Wayne wanted to create a fun event for firefighters while fighting for a cause that was all too personal for them. Unfortunately, Mary lost her courageous battle in 2005, but Wayne and her three adult children, Christine Suau and David and Ryan Soutter, decided to keep the race going, renaming it, “Mary’s Firemen for a Cure” in 2006.
“Over the years we have had so many people ask how they could enter a team, and now, with the Friends of Mary Race, anyone can,” said Mary’s son David, a major in the Army Reserves. “My mom started something special, and we do our best to honor her by continuing to raise awareness and money to fight this terrible disease.”
WMTW personalities Erin Ovalle and Paul Merrill will return to emcee this year’s event. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the firefighters’ race beginning at 10 a.m. The Friends of Mary race will begin immediately afterward.
The entry fee is $150 per team which includes five day/night lift tickets at Shawnee Peak for the day of the race and a chili lunch. Teams that register by Feb. 21 will also receive a T-shirt for each racer. Family members of competitors may take advantage of $25 lift tickets and $15 rentals. There will also be raffles, prizes, kids’ contests and obstacle course, and more.
To register a team, to learn more or to make a donation, visit www.facebook.com/MarysFiremenforaCure. For any questions, email dcsoutter@gmail.com.
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