Event Planner's Guide 2017

SPORTS . From the mountains to the sea, Maine sports venues have played host to youth, amateur, national, international, university-level, and professional-level sports. In 2017, we’re excited to once again welcome cyclists to the Farm to Fork Fondo, a unique ride for people of all ages and abilities which highlights the region’s vibrant farm-to-table movement with station stops hosted by local farms. Play in Maine . Maine and sports—it’s a natural fit. With its diversity of terrain and changing climate, Maine is fortunate to have an array of distinct, unique four-season sports activities. Maine has the space to hold large competitions and the services to ensure they run smoothly. From marathons & triathlons, to cycling, golf, and much more, the state’s natural resources allow for the widest range of sporting events. The first island-to-island style SwimRun race hit US soil in Casco Bay off Portland this past August. Inspired by the preeminent, international swimrun race series OTILLO, originating a decade ago in Sweden, the Maine race consists of alternating swim and overland running legs (island roads, trails, and shoreline scrambles) between several islands. As well as a Short Course for newcomers, a Long Course event is also in the works for 2017 with approximately 6 miles of open water swimming and 16 miles of overland routing over 12 islands. Greater Portland is geared up for the excitement of organized sports and our convention team is eager to help you navigate the logistics of hosting a major league event in Maine. In partnership with the Maine Sports Commission, we have the resources to help promote and make sure your sporting event is a slam dunk. “ We chose Maine because it is a perfect fit—the beautiful venues, vast amounts of top notch craft breweries, and community support are second to none.” — Dan Imperato, Major League Triathlon

US National Toboggan Championships Feb 10-12, Camden Youth Bowling Championship Apr 1-2, Portland PBA League Playoffs Apr 15-16, Portland Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race April 15, Bangor Salomon Trail Running Festival May 27-28, New Gloucester Trek Across Maine Jun 16-18, Newry to Belfast Rock Lobster Relay Jun 23-24, Bar Harbor to Portland Old Port Half Marathon & 5K Jul 8, Portland SMALL SAMPLING OF UPCOMING SPORTING EVENTS IN MAINE

Maine YogaFest Jul 8-9, Portland Tri for a Cure Jul 23, South Portland

New England Forest Rally Jul 21-22, Newry TD Beach to Beacon 10K Aug 5, Cape Elizabeth Farm to Fork Fondo Aug 27, Freeport REV3 Maine Aug 27, Old Orchard Beach Lobsterman Triathlon Sep 16, Freeport The Maine Marathon Oct 1, Portland The Dempsey Challenge Oct 7-8, Lewiston Santa Hustle Dec 3, South Portland Polar Bear Dip and Dash Dec 31, Portland

Photos on right: clockwise from top left: courtesy Maine Sports Commission; Cynthia Farr-Weinfeld; courtesy Farm to Fork Fondo; courtesy Portland Craft Brew Races

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