The 19^th West Kennebunk Fire Company Fireman Triathlon, hosted by the Kennebunk Fire Rescue Association as one of the year’s largest fundraisers, attracted athletes from the Kennebunk Beach Triathlon Club, around the U.S.A. and as far west as British Columbia, Canada and as far east as London Sunday.

Clouds and fog clung to the coast throughout the morning’s race. Athletes gathered on Mother’s Beach at 8:15 a.m. and Race Director Jeff Cole, who has organized the race for the past 10 years, announced the water temperature was 65 degrees and apologized for the lack of sun. 

The first wave of participants dove into the ocean by 8:30 a.m. for a one third of a mile swim. 

As they finished the swim, they ran up the beach stripping off their caps, goggles and wet suits, grabbed their cycling gear and then bicycled a 26-kilometer route around the Kennebunks. 

Coasting in the last 100 meters of bicycling, athletes were untying their shoes, ready to slip into running sneakers and the final leg of the race, a five-kilometer run. While the majority of spectators gathered to watch athletes transition between legs of the race, others lined the course and the beach to cheer them on.

Kurt Perham of Brunswick finished in one hour and 10 minutes. Even though Rachel Schneider of Sanford is seen pictured passing Steven Schneider in the beginning of the run, he finished five minutes ahead of her. 

Cole said this year’s race raised nearly $35,000 in entry fees, which will be used to support the West Kennebunk Fire Company and benefit the community through the company’s contributions to Cub Scout Troop 304, health care, advocacy organizations and scholarships for college-bound high school seniors.