May 25 competition raises awareness of need for more First Responders

Endurance challenge at Camden Snow Bowl open to all

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 4:00pm

Lynda Clancy

Camden firefighters Eric Verite and Andrew Lowe climb the ladders, while Chief Chris Farley, Cheyne Hansen and Camden First Aid's Brian Allen prepare to hoist the beam into place high in the trees. Competitors in the first-ever Run For Your Life obstacle course race will be climbing ropes to the top of the beam. (Photos by Lynda Clancy)

Heading up Ragged Mountain with tools, ladders and workers.

Camden's Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Lowe ratchets a bolt into place.

Hope firefighters build hurdles in Camden at Eric Verite's barn.

Hope firefighter Ginny Ryan and Camden firefighter Eric Verite.

There was some time to read The Golden Compass, too....

Heading up Ragged Mountain with tools, ladders and workers.

Camden's Assistant Fire Chief Andrew Lowe ratchets a bolt into place.

Hope firefighters build hurdles in Camden at Eric Verite's barn.

Hope firefighter Ginny Ryan and Camden firefighter Eric Verite.

There was some time to read The Golden Compass, too....

CAMDEN — Local firefighters are busy this week at the Camden Snow Bowl raising beams high into trees, slinging ropes and otherwise building obstacles for the first-ever Run For Your Life race on Ragged Mountain, a rugged, yet fun, competition that appeals to seasoned triathaletes, as well as the novice ready for a different kind of adventure. Since Monday, Camden and Hope firefighters and Camden First Aid Association EMTs have been setting infrastructure in the woods, and gathering after work in a Camden barn to build obstacles for the 5K race.

The May 25 race will send competitors up and down the mountain on ski and bike trails, and racers of all levels — already, participants range from business owners and college students to cops, wardens and women who just like to run and climb. These endurance enthusiasts, in teams or going solo, will swing by ropes, crawl under barbed wire, leap over fire and swim 160 meters across Hosmer Pond. This week, obstacles were being placed near the summit of Ragged Mountain, as well as several spots lower in the hill, in the woods near a bike trail, and another near the toboggan chute.

Midcoast fire chiefs have signed up, so has a major from the Maine State Warden service — the race is even drawing television stars, such as game warden Kris MacCabe, who appears on the Animal Planet show North Woods Law.

But the race is not limited to first responders: All are welcome to register. The goal is to raise awareness of the need for a new generation of firefighters, paramedics and first responders in every community, whether volunteer or career. In addition to the race, the day will offers the opportunity to talk with representatives from a variety of organizations dedicated to public safety — fire departments, police and ambulance services, Maine's Forest and Warden services.

Sign up now at the Run for Your Life Emergency Service Challenge website. Registration fee is $50. Volunteers are also encouraged to help with a variety of tasks, including being observers at the obstacles. Contact Camden Fire Chief Chris Farley, 207-236-7950; info@emergencychallenge.org.

“The Run For Your Life Challenge is a fun, energetic way to increase awareness of the need for citizens in our communities to help provide emergency services,” said Farley. “We are challenging participants to push themselves mentally and physically, and we are promoting involvement in local fire departments, ambulance services and law enforcement agencies.”

Coordinated with the effort of the Camden Fire Department, Hope Fire Department and Camden First Aid Association, the Run For Your Life race is an endurance trial, inspired by actual situations encountered by firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement. Obstacles for the course include:

Blazing Forearms - Hoist cinder blocks 15 feet into the air with a rope and pulley, hand-over-hand.

Bucket Brigade –Fill two 5-gallon buckets with gravel and carry them to the dumping location.

Maiden Cliff Rescue- Climb 15 feet up a rope.

Rescue Sandy - Using teamwork, carry Poor Sandy on a stretcher over a wall and to her destination.

The Burning Building - Crawl 15 meters under barbed wire with smoke pouring over your head.

Abigail's Alibi - Use your brain to solve the puzzle and get Abigail's Alibi. You will be quizzed about Abigail's Alibi before the Get Wet! Obstacle.

High-Rise Hell - Carry a hose pack on your back up and down a steep ski slope.

Mighty River Jump - Using a rope, swing like Tarzan over a a mighty stream.

Who Put These Here? - Run through a sea of tires, just like football players.

Just Add Water - Crawl through a culvert that is partially filled with water.

Get Wet! - Swim 160 meters across Hosmer Pond

Fire Jump- Need we say more?

Diminishing volunteerism is an issue that has been affecting fire departments across the country, mostly in rural areas where communities rely heavily on volunteer firefighters. The declining rate of volunteerism began in the early 1980s. As firefighters age out, there has been a corresponding lower number of younger men and women stepping up to take their places. The Emergency Service Challenge, comprising fire departments and emergency medical services, intends to change that trend.

Register now for the Run for Your Life Emergency Service Challenge. Visit the Challenge website or friend the event on Facebook to keep up with the latest Challenge news. Email info@emergencychallenge.org, or call 207-236-7950.