By Stephanie Grinnell

Staff Writer

March 16 will mark the 10^th anniversary of Mary’s Walk and Kerrymen Pub Road Race in Saco. 

Mary’s Walk is named after Mary Kerry Libby, who died of cancer in 1997. Two years later, to help deal with the loss of Mary, her husband, Gene Libby, began the walk based on Mary’s usual walking route in Saco. 

“One of the main purposes of Mary’s Walk was to do something positive and constructive, instead of sadness about Mary’s death,” Libby said. 

The Kerrymen Road Race was brought back from a seven-year lapse at the same time that Mary’s Walk was established. The road race takes place on an officially measured 5 kilometer (about 3.1 mile) course, to allow runners to use the times to qualify for other races, Libby said.

A lot of things have changed in the 10 years since the walk’s inception, said Libby. The first five years, walkers and racers registered under a canopy behind the Kerrymen Pub, until the registration was moved to its current location at Thornton Academy. 

Where the money raised by the two events ends up has also changed a little, Libby said. The first year the money was split between the Maine Cancer Research and Education Center (now called the Maine Cancer Foundation) and a Sanford resident with cancer. Now, 100 percent of the money raised by the walk and race is donated to the Maine Cancer Foundation. Libby said all of the money raised stays in the state and is used for patient education and support.

Maine Cancer Foundation Director Susan Rowan said some of the money will be used for Maine-based cancer research as well as patient education. She and Libby predicted this year’s events will surpass the $1 million mark for total funds raised during 10 years. Last year, the $900,000 mark was passed.

Rowan said there are more than 1,300 people signed up for the walk and road race so far. Online registration is closed, but people can register in person on the day of the race, slated for March 16. Registration will open at 10 a.m. in the Thornton Academy gymnasium. Registration costs are $15 for walkers and $20 for runners. Rowan said the registration numbers are 10 percent higher than the same time last year.

Money can be raised in three ways, Rowan said. There is a corporate drive in addition to registration fees and Rowan said many of the walkers and racers fundraise additionally by asking for sponsors.

A new concept was introduced this year to motivate more people to participate in the walk and run, called the Power of 10, which encourages race participants and volunteers to spread the word to 10 people who are not already familiar with the walk. 

The day of the walk and race events will be emceed by WGME’s Kylie Bennett. Gov. John Baldacci will start the race. Libby said a cancer survivor will address the crowd to offer encouragement and inspiration. 

Rowan said barring a major snow event, the walk and race would take place as planned. She said the Saco Public Works Department has assisted the committee in keeping the course clear and safe for participants when the weather has not cooperated in years past.

For more information about Mary’s Walk and the Kerrymen Pub Road Race, visit www.maryswalk.org or call 1-866-627-2411,

Contact Stephanie Grinnell by calling 282-4337 ext. 213 or email news@inthecourier.com.