30th Anniversary of Iconic "Trek Across Maine" Bicycle Event

Birthday Bash to Kick Off 30th Anniversary of Iconic Maine Bicycle Event

American Lung Association of the Northeast to host Trek Across Maine celebration

(PORTLAND, ME) – The American Lung Association of the Northeast will kick off a year-long celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Trek Across Maine Thursday, November 7 with a birthday party to be held at the Portland Company, 58 Fore Street. The event which will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is free and open to the public.

Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast, said, “This is a big year for us so we wanted to kick it off in a big way. We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our Trek family and many new faces as well.”

The Trek Across Maine is a scenic three-day, 180-mile bicycling event that begins in the mountains at Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry and ends at the sea in Belfast. It raises approximately $1.8 million annually to support the American Lung Association’s mission through research, education and advocacy. The Trek takes place on Father’s Day weekend.

Past Trekkers, volunteers and the general public will attend the 30th birthday celebration of what has often been called “the best ride in Maine.” Some cyclists are so passionate about the event that they have gotten tattoos of the Trek logo, and more than 100 people have ridden in the Trek for 10 years or more. There are five individuals who have cycled in every Trek over the past 29 years.

The birthday celebration will feature an 80’s theme in honor of 1985, the year the first Trek took place. The party will include 80’s music, food, and decorations. Trekkers can reminisce over photo displays featuring images from the past 29 Treks, and a Trek-themed photo booth will give all guests a chance to capture new Trek memories.

In past years, the Trek has attracted as many as 2,600 bicyclists, 175 teams and 700 volunteers from 28 states and Canada. In honor of the anniversary, the 2014 fundraising goal has been increased to $2 million. If successful, it would bring the Trek’s 30-year contribution to the American Lung Association to $22.5 million. More than 1,000 cyclists have already registered to take part in the 30th anniversary Trek Across Maine.

For more details or to RSVP for the 30th Anniversary Birthday Bash in Portland, please visit: TrekMaine30.org orFacebook.com/MaineTrek.

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