2,000 Trekkers roll into Belfast for anniversary ride
BELFAST — More than 2,000 bicyclists rolled into Belfast Sunday, June 15, bringing an end to the American Lung Association's 2014 Trek Across Maine.
The trek, which began June 13, traverses 180 miles over a three day period, beginning at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry and ending near the sea in Belfast's Steamboat Landing.
The first day of the ride is approximately 67 miles, according to the American Lung Association, ending at the University of Maine Farmington for the first overnight.
Day two spans from UMF to Colby College, which is a roughly 57 mile ride. The final leg, from Colby College to Steamboat landing is approximately 56 miles.
This Trek Across Maine marked the 30th anniversary of the journey from "mountains to the sea," which began in 1985, according to the American Lung Association.
The trek, which requires all adult riders to raise $500 to ride and children ages 7+ (the minimum age to participate) to raise $400, raised $1,613,745 of its $2,000,000 goal.
The American Lung Association also notes that 90 percent of the raised funds stay within local communities, with the other 10% supporting nationwide research and education.
Athena Health was this year's top contributing team, raising $171,065.04 with L.L. Bean in second place, raising $87,224.53. Shawn Sabine was listed as the top individual fundraiser, with $15,195 raised.
Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com