POLAND – More than 160 athletes participated in Maine Handicapped Skiing’s seventh annual Summer Sports Challenge on Aug. 13 at Range Ponds State Park.

Able-bodied and disabled athletes competed in the challenge, a 35-mile, five-sport competitive relay race that included a one-mile swim, five-mile run, four-mile canoe trip, 20-mile bike ride and five-mile kayak ride.

For the second year in a row, the winning team with an overall time of two hours and 52 minutes was North River Printing, a team of all men from Somersworth, N.H. Strategic Media, a mixed team of men and women from Scarborough, came in second overall at three hours and 27 minutes. Jeff Sands of Bangor, one of three Iron Men who participated in the challenge, came in third overall for the second year in a row at three hours and 32 minutes.

For the first time in the history of the Summer Sports Challenge, two women, Stephanie Rouleau of Portland and Brenda Bilotta of Bangor, participated in the Iron Woman division, racing in all five legs of the challenge.

Steve Curtis, manager of the Southern Region of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and Jim Crocker, public information director of the Department of Conservation, participated in the event for the first time.

Several physicians volunteered their time to set up a first aid station for the racers in the park’s shelter. More than 70 volunteers helped Maine Handicapped Skiing provide transition points for the athletes, refreshments, registration and timing support.

Complete results can be found on www.allsportsevents.com.

Funds raised support Maine Handicapped Skiing’s summer adaptive recreational activities, including free lessons in canoeing, kayaking, golf and cycling.

For information on Maine Handicapped Skiing’s year-round adaptive recreational activities for adults and children with physical disabilities, call 800-639-7770, go online at www.skimhs.org or write MHS at 8 Sundance Lane, Newry, ME 04261.

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