Mary’s Firemen for a Cure ski race is Feb. 25

PHOTO: Firemen show their stuff in the 2019 Mary’s Firemen for a Cure race, which raises money for breast cancer awareness. This year’s race is Feb. 25 at Lost Valley, in Auburn. (MarysFiremenforaCure Facebook photo)

AUBURN – The Mary’s Firemen for a Cure ski race is returning this year after a two-year hiatus, and will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, at Lost Valley Ski Area.
The event features a firefighters’ race, with teams comprising four members (a change from five in previous years). Also new, the teams will race down a slalom course in full turnout gear while carrying a 50-foot hose.
The event also features kids events, raffles, a 50/50 and live auction.
The Mary’s Firemen for a Cure has raised more than $250,000 for breast cancer patients in Maine since 2004. It was started by Mary and Wayne Allen at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, where Mary was a long-time employee and had been fighting breast cancer for nearly 10 years.
Wayne is a volunteer firefighter in North Bridgton. After Mary died in 2005, Wayne and her three adult children, Christine, David and Ryan Soutter, continued the event, which was first held at Lost Valley in 2019.
“I know Mary is watching and is so happy that we were able to come back after the pandemic,” Wayne Allen said.
Mary’s son, Ryan Soutter, said that reducing teams to four firefighters will allow more to participate.
“I believe Harrison Fire & Rescue has won this event almost every year,” Soutter said. “Maybe having a smaller team will give another department a window to unseat the perennial champs.”
WMTW personality Meghan Torjussen will return as emcee for this year’s event.
Registration will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 25, with the race beginning at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $125 per team, which includes four day/night lift tickets for the day of the event and a chili lunch. Discounted lift tickets are also available for family members of racers.
To register or for more information, visit facebook.com/MarysFiremenforaCure.