MECHANIC FALLS – On Saturday, June 26, Pottle Hill Inc. will hold its 23rd annual road race on Saturday, June 26, starting from the Town Square. The race is a fund-raiser to benefit programs offered by Pottle Hill for persons with disabilities.

Known over the years as “New England’s Toughest 10K,” the event will start with a one-mile fun run at 8:30 a.m., followed by the start of the 5K at 9 a.m. and the 10K at 9:15.

The course is hilly and scenic and mostly rural, well marked and wheel measured, with split time and water stations along the way. Refreshments will be available after the race. Registration fee for the 10K and 5K is $12 and $3 for the fun run. Prizes will be awarded.

John Jenkins is this year’s road race chairman. Best known as two-term mayor of Lewiston, Jenkins has more than 35 years of experience in teaching programs of wellness and personal development. He is president of PepTalk.com and HealthKick USA.com.

Jenkins has been inducted into the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame, Maine State Sports Hall of Fame, World Martial Arts Hall of Fame and was five-time world martial arts champion.

The race is Pottle Hill’s primary fund-raiser, with all proceeds dedicated to Pottle Hill programs for persons with disabilities. Pottle Hill is a 501 (c) (3) organization under the IRS Code; donations are deductible to the extent permissible by law.

There are several levels of sponsorship. Benefits of sponsorship depend on the level selected such as company name on T-shirts, name on race banners and promoted in a variety of media. To sponsor the Pottle Hill Road Race or to register to run in the race, call Suzanne Dunham at 753-1457 or sent e-mail to pottle@megalink.net. Information about the race is also on the Pottle Hill Website, www.megalink.net/~pottle.