CAMDEN — The Camden Snow Bowl may still be covered with a thick blanket of snow, but spring is on its way and that means one thing: Local first responders are gearing up for the second annual Run For Your Life Challenge, to be held Saturday, May 24 on Ragged Mountain.

Register now at emergencychallenge.org, or by calling the Camden Fire Department, 207-236-7950.

The Run For Your Life Challenge, a fun and competitive adventure race, was a huge success in 2013, and organizers are planning for even more participants this spring. On a rugged obstacle course that is sure to challenge everyone, runners will push themselves mentally and physically up and down Ragged Mountain, along the loops and descents of ski and bike trails.

In teams or as soloists, participants — firefighters, local business owners, college students, cops and others ranging from endurance enthusiasts to hose who just like to run and climb — will swing on ropes, crawl under barbed wire and leap over fire as they conquer the summit, which overlooks Penobscot Bay.

The race appeals to both the seasoned triathalete and the novice runner. With obstacles, including “Blazing Forearms,” “Bucket Brigade,” “Rescue Sandy” and “Highrise Hell,” the event promises an invigorating exercise in teamwork and fitness. The Challenge is inspired by actual situations encountered by firefighters, emergency medical services providers and law enforcement officers.

This competition serves two goals: To challenge runners along a demanding course, and to motivate individuals to actively engage through volunteering and/or as a career path in providing emergency services within communities. Run For Your Life is organized by Emergency Service Challenge, a local group of committed firefighters and paramedics who encourage more citizens to get involved with area fire departments, ambulance services and law enforcement agencies, either as volunteers or as a career.

Diminishing volunteerism has affected fire departments across the country, mostly in rural areas where communities rely heavily on volunteer firefighters. The declining rate of volunteerism began in the early 1980s. As firefighters age out, there has been a corresponding lower number of younger men and women stepping up to take their places.

Emergency Service Challenge intends to reverse that trend, and is actively recruiting a new generation of volunteers and career first responders.

Sponsors of the 2014 Run For Your Life challenge include Pen Bay Healthcare, Allen Agency, Apartments on Elm, Rankin's Hardware, Penobscot Bay Pilot and the Maine Lobster Festival. The Emergency Service Challenge welcomes volunteers to help stage the event and sponsor on a variety of levels. To learn more, and to get involved, visit the Challenge website; friend them on Facebook; email: info@emergencychallenge.org, or call 207-236-7950.

Sign up now; registration is limited.