DEAR SUN SPOTS: Volunteers are needed for the May 19 cleanup of the Sugarloaf Marathon route. Communities along the 26.2-mile route are gearing up to make the route litter-free for the hundreds of runners expected for the race.

The annual pre-marathon litter patrol will have upward of 200 volunteers walking the entire route collecting debris. Volunteers in Carrabassett Valley, Eustis and Kingfield will be asked to check in at 8 a.m. to get their assignments and pick up litter bags. In Carrabassett Valley, the sign-up is the Town Park next to the Town Office. In Kingfield, it’s the Gateway Parking Lot next to the sled shed at the local snowmobile club. In Eustis, volunteers are asked to meet at the Cathedral Pines Campground.

Depending on the number of volunteers assigned to each mile, the cleanup usually takes two to three hours. Volunteers who can’t attend Saturday can contact your area coordinator for an assigned section to be done before May 20. The coordinators for the three major areas are Al Sleight in Carrabassett Valley at 207-648-5333, e-mail alsleight@gmail.com; Deb Wilbur in Eustis at 207-246-3239; and James Boyce in Kingfield at 207-265-6512, e-mail jboyce1168@gmail.com.

Following the cleanup, Carrabassett Valley and Eustis will host a barbeque and/or picnic. Kingfield volunteers are invited to join Carrabassett Valley for its event. Anyone wishing to help out with food can bring a salad, side dish or dessert.

The cleanup project was started in the mid-1980s by former Carrabassett Valley Selectman Steve Pierce who worked with the now-defunct Judson’s restaurant. It was later picked up by Randy Clukey who coordinated the Carrabassett Valley effort for more than 20 years, followed by John McCatherin over the last half-dozen years.

Meanwhile, Sherie and Harvey Packard organized a similar project for Eustis and John and Tammy Goldrank initiated the campaign in Kingfield several years ago.

The Carrabassett Valley Outdoor Association, Carrabassett Valley Academy and other organizations have been major providers of manpower for the event for many years.

The Sugarloaf Marathon, now in its 32nd year, is scheduled for May 20. It’s Maine’s oldest continuously-run marathon, drawing hundreds of runners from all over the U.S. and eastern Canada. It’s one of the 15 fastest marathons in the country and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.

It starts in Eustis at Cathedral Pines and finishes in Kingfield on the West Kingfield Road. The event also features a 15K race that starts in Carrabassett Valley and ends in Kingfield.

– John, no town

ANSWER: What an amazing effort and event this is! I hope everyone, no matter what your age or abilities, will find a way to participate.

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