Trek Across Maine's 25th year the best yet

Pictured are Carrabassett Cycology team members, they are (in no particular order): Captain Marcia White; Allen Wicken, Augusta French, Bob Pride, Brian Bowker, Chuck Sprague, David Criner, Deborah Bowker, Devin Seel, Dick Mirick, Douglas Gray, Eric Lagios, Erik Anderson, Ethan Austin, Jarod Frigon, Jay Reynolds, Kevin Thomas, Kevin Shea, Mason Rowell, Nicholas Lagios, Rich Goodenough, Scott Chretien and William Pusey. The team raised around $15,500 for the American Lung Association in the Trek Across Maine, June 19 to 21. (Submitted photo) AUGUSTA -- This past Father's Day weekend, over 2,000 cyclists, more than 600 volunteers and several thousand gallons of rainwater converged on Maine for the 25th annual Trek Across Maine to benefit the American Lung Association. Despite the weather, over $1.7 million was raised this year alone, making this silvery anniversary year the most successful Trek yet.

The 180-mile Trek Across Maine kicked off on Friday, June 19 at Sunday River Resort in Newry and cyclists finished the ride by zipping into Belfast on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21.

The local group, Carrabassett Cycology, had first-time riders and 16-year Trek veterans riding, and in spite of the rain and windy weather everyone had smiles on their faces as they crossed the finish lines each day, noted team captain Marsha White.

At the Colby Night event on Saturday, the Maine Lung Association staff gave a presentation showing how the money raised by this event is spent and the progress that has been made in the areas of smoking rates, tobacco regulation, and promotion of practices to improve air quality.

Maine's chapter is leading the charge and has set the bar high going forward; it is a small dedicated group with an impressive drive to meet and exceed its goals. It is a pleasure to help this cause so that we all can breathe easier, White said.

She also noted that riding in the Trek also provides incentive to improve personal fitness levels; it takes a commitment of many hours of training to prepare for a comfortable and successful Trek ride.

Sign-ups are already underway for next year's Trek Across Maine. Log on to lungne.org or call 1-800- LUNG USA today to see if you've got what it takes to trek, volunteer, or support this annual event. The Trek is a family-friendly ride that offers friendships, fun and fantastic scenery throughout Maine.

The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, its mission today is to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control and all lung disease. ALANE serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont (www.lungne.org).