BELFAST — Participants of the 32nd annual Trek Across Maine rode into Belfast Sunday morning and continuing into the afternoon, concluding their three day, 180-mile journey at Belfast’s Heritage Park. 

The day couldn’t have been more picturesque, with sunshine and gentle breezes accompanying both riders and those who came to cheer them on. 

The event, which raises money for the American Lung Association, takes place every Father’s Day weekend, beginning at Sunday River Ski Resort in Belgrade. Participants have two overnight stops during their journey, at the University of Maine Farmington, and Colby College in Waterville. 

The event is staffed by nearly 750 volunteers each year, according to the Trek Across Maine site. In addition to those who come to cheer the riders along, volunteers also include trained medical professionals, safety monitors, and those who maintain order at the finish line. 

The event raised $1,189,663.18 for the American Lung Association. The Trek’s largest team to participate, with roughly 200 riders, athenaHealth was the top fundraising team, raising $144,751 for the organization. L.L. Bean had the event’s second top fundraising team, with $85,463 raised. 

Individuals who raised more than $1,100 were given special turquoise jerseys to wear in celebration of their efforts. Shawn Sabine raised the largest amount for individual participants with $16,410. Cory Lathrop and Scott Humphrey raised the second and third largest individual amounts for the American Lung Association, raising $9,024 and $7,638 respectively. 

The American Lung Association is “the leading organization dedicated to saving improving lung health and preventing lung disease.”

For more information visit Lung.org.

See additional photo galleries:

(photo gallery one); (photo gallery two); (photo gallery three) 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com