PRESQUE ISLE — While people from all over the globe converge on Presque Isle for the IBU World Youth/Junior Biathlon Championships, an event of another kind will be taking place at TAMC, and the hospital is inviting the community to help “Welcome the World” as they celebrate with its fourth annual Red Dress Race and Polar Dip.
Instead of the shooting and skiing that will be occurring across town at the biathlon championships, participants in the Red Dress Race and Polar Dip, which will take place Friday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., will be running and plunging. Participants will meet in front of the Crown Ambulance base at the A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital campus prior to the start of the race.
This unique event is part of TAMC’s annual Winter Carnival activities, which this year has a special “Welcome the World” theme as a nod to the athletes from the many visiting nations that will be competing in the biathlon. New this year, TAMC is opening up the event to the community and inviting the public to pair up into teams of two to compete for a worthy cause.
“I feel the Red Dress Race/Polar Dip is the highlight of Winter Carnival — from the creative red dresses to the lucky partner taking a cool dip. This year, we are excited to open this to the community to join us for a little friendly competition to help us raise money for wellness efforts,” said Gina Ritchie, event coordinator.
The event requires teams to wear red dresses in support of February being Heart Health Month. Since one of the two $100 prizes is awarded to the team with the best costume, TAMC encourages participants to use their creativity and even get a little crazy with their outfits. The team that finishes first will earn the second $100 prize.
Participants in the event will complete a registration form and then solicit sponsors to raise funds for internal employee wellness programs at TAMC. One partner will complete a run around the hospital campus, and when that teammate crosses the finish line, the other person will take a chilly dunk into a tank of water courtesy of the Presque Isle Fire Department.
“It’s really rewarding and humbling to know that with just a small time commitment (of about 10 minutes), I can play a role in helping improve TAMC wellness efforts, while also giving back to a great organization. Frankly, it’s a lot of fun, as well,” said Linda Maynard, who placed second with her team in last year’s race.
To register or for more information, visit tamc.org. Registration forms are also available for pick up at the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce office, located on the Houlton Road in Presque Isle.
