Auburn firefighter who turned to marathons in retirement will address Senior College Jan. 10

LEWISTON — Mike Brooks, a retired Auburn firefighter who’s run a marathon in ever state, will be the speaker when USM L-A Senior College continues its monthly Food for Thought presentations in 2020.
Brooks talk will begin at noon Friday, Jan. 10, in Room 170 at the college, 51 Westminster St.
Brooks was a 33-year career firefighter for the Auburn Fire Department, but his passion since he turned 50 has been running marathons. Not an occasional marathoner, Brooks set a goal to complete a marathon in every state, which he completed by 2003. He went on the tackle The Badwater Ultramarathon, described as “the world’s toughest foot race.”
The 135-mile course starts at 282 feet below sea level in the Badwater Basin, part of California’s Death Valley, and ends at an elevation of 8,360 feet at Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States. Brooks first assisted as part of the crew for friends in the race and then ran it himself. He raised money at this race — and continues to raise money — to benefit Maine’s Camp Sunshine. Brooks will speak about his experiences, including the Hatfield McCoy Marathon, as well as the impetus to write a book about his career.
The lecture is free and open to the public, but there will no longer be the option to purchase a meal. Everyone is invited and welcome to bring a bag lunch; the doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

CAPTION; Marathoner Mike Brooks, a retired Auburn firefighter, is flanked by two characters from the Hatfield McCoy Maraton in West Virginia and Kentucky. (Submitted)