NEWRY – The Gorham Fire Department edged out 14 other teams to take first place in the 17th annual Firefighters Race at Sunday River to benefit Maine Handicapped Skiing.

Gorham’s winning time was 29.55 seconds and the margin of victory was 2 seconds faster than second place Bethel.

Firefighters in full gear raced down a giant slalom course on the Tempest Trail toting 50 feet of fire hose.

At the bottom of the course at the White Cap Base, the Eat The Heat Chili Cook-Off was under way. Ten slow-cooking teams offered up their best batches of chili to the hungry crowd and judges. The chili selected as No. 1 was cooked by Gringo Harry’s of Newry, with Gridiron’s Restaurant taking second place along with the coveted people’s choice award.

Proceeds from the events went to Maine Handicapped Skiing. In total, the weekend raised more than $350,000.

for the non-profit organization, which is the highest total in the history of the Ski-A-Thon, Firefighters Race, and Chili Cook-Off weekend.