REGIONAL – The Maine Cancer Foundation has postponed its annual Mary’s Walk & Kerrymen 5K fundraiser, one of Maine’s largest charity races, due to the heavy snow pack and public safety concerns.
The race, which takes place in downtown Saco each year, was originally scheduled for March 15, but has now been pushed back to March 29 instead, according to Gene Libby, event chairman.
“There’s simply too much snow,” Libby said. “This is our 17th year of Mary’s Walk and we’ve never had to cancel for snow before.” Like many Maine towns, the roads have been narrowed, the snow dumps are overflowing and there’s not much left to do but wait for a thaw.”
Libby said the decision to postpone Mary’s Walk was made in consultation with the Saco Public Works Department and city leaders. “With over 3,500 people in attendance, safety is our primary concern, (so) we have decided to delay,” he said.
Despite being re-scheduled for organizers have high hopes that the charity race will continue to break its own fundraising record. “An extra two weeks gives us the time to make it our best year ever,” Libby added.
Mary’s Walk, named in honor of Mary Kerry Libby, has raised more than $2 million since it began in 1998. All proceeds go to the Maine Cancer Foundation to support cancer prevention, research and patient impact programs.
See www.maryswalk.org for more information about this event and how you can help out.
This story was updated to correct the original date of Mary’s Walk.
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