High school and college Nordic skiers gather Sunday before the start of The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. Fifty-three athletes participated in the cross-country cross roller ski event that was organized by the New England Nordic Ski Association and Chisholm Ski Club. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Bates College Nordic ski team members Eske Roennau, left, and Rosalie Brown swap ski boots between races Sunday during The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. Brown forgot to bring her ski boots, so Roennau loaned his boots to her. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Nora McCourt of Farmington battles the elements Sunday during The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. McCourt is a junior at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Race announcer Craig Zurhorst of the Chisholm Ski Club works from inside his car Sunday due to heavy rain and wind at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. “It’s wet. It’s miserable. But we are having a great time,” Zurhorst said about the weather. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Rita and Gene Gilbert of Rumford put up with Sunday’s wind and rain while they watch their granddaughter, Mallory Raymond, compete during The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. “You gotta want to be here. That’s for sure,” Gene Gilbert said about the weather. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Hannah Grohman, right, of Gould Academy and Isabel Seay of Colby College compete Sunday during The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. Fifty-three athletes participated in the cross-country cross roller ski event that was organized by the New England Nordic Ski Association and Chisholm Ski Club. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Race organizers keep track of results during challenging weather conditions Sunday at The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. “It’s wet. It’s miserable. But we are having a great time,” race announcer Craig Zurhorst said about the rain and wind. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Race timers work inside a van to protect equipment from the elements Sunday during The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford.  Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Henri McCourt, left, of Farmington and Simon Goldstein of Colby College compete Sunday during The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. Fifty-three athletes participated in the cross-country cross roller ski event that was organized by the New England Nordic Ski Association and Chisholm Ski Club. McCourt is a junior at Mt. Blue High School in Farmington. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford is a roller ski event that happens each October. Roller skis are used by Nordic ski racers when no snow is available for traditional cross country skis. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Roger Arsenault of Rumford is presented the 2023 John Caldwell Award by New England Nordic Ski Association executive director Heidi Lange following The Maine Event at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. Arsenault, a volunteer with the Chisholm Ski Club, earned the award for his dedication to Nordic skiing. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

The Maine Event was held Sunday at Black Mountain of Maine in Rumford. The cross-country cross event featured head-to-head sprint races on roller skis and also serves as a training opportunity for junior skiers before the Nordic ski race season begins in December. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal