AUBURN — Kelly Goodwin remembers the first time she participated in the Hospice House 5K and Remembrance Run/Walk in Auburn: it was in 2011. She and a handful of friends walked in honor of her mother, Adrina, who died at the Hospice House in 2006.

On Sunday, Goodwin’s “team of friends” was nearly 100 strong, and was the largest to participate in the ninth annual event, which began and ended at Central Maine Community College. More than 560 individuals participated and, when combined with the Farmington 5K held May 7, nearly $73,000 was raised to support patient care at the Hospice House for those who cannot afford to pay.

Goodwin and her family started the Adrina Goodwin Foundation to keep her mother’s memory alive. Two years after her mother’s death, the family found itself back in the throes of hospice care with their father, Donald. Once again, the Goodwins turned to the Hospice House.

The care that her parents and her family received during both hospice experiences has been the driving force behind the growth of Team AGF and the continued commitment to raise money to support patient care for those who cannot afford it.

“You need family to get you through hospice, and the staff at the Hospice House becomes your family,’’ she said. “Without hospice, we would have been lost and with it, you are never alone.”

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice President and CEO Kenneth Albert said the agency is grateful to all of those who chose to remember a loved one by running or walking in the event.

“I would have to say that the best part of today, for me at least, is meeting with the teams and learning a little about the person or people whose memory they are honoring,” Albert said. “These stories are so heartwarming. Your participation today helps us meet our mission. We do not turn anyone away because they cannot pay and it is events like this that helped us to provide nearly $1.5 million in free care in 2016.”

Awards were presented to the top runners in various age divisions. James Machowski was the overall winner in 18 minutes, 39 seconds, while Tina Meserve, who also won the Farmington 5K, was the top female in 20:23. Full results are available at www.back40events.com/results.

The top fundraising individuals and teams were also recognized with special mention of The Dream, which raised close to $22,000.