By Carol McCracken (Post # 530)

The 69th annual Peaks to Portland (East End Beach) swimming race is set to go off tomorrow am – just as it has for 68 years before.

Two hundred and eight people have signed up for the 2.4 mile at a registration cost of $150. each. The proceeds of this fundraiser pay for the scholarships that the Cumberland County YMCA provides for those would not otherwise be able to be a Y member. The Y provides scholarships for 2 out of every 5 members of the non-profit.

One of this year’s swimmers is Cyrus Hagge as he was last year. In fact, this annual fundraiser is now named for Hagge who is also a Hill resident. Swimmers will take the 6:45 am ferry to Peaks Island.

Debbie Reed, director of the race, and wellness director for the Greater Portland YMCA said this afteroon that the starting gun goes off on Peaks Island tomorrow morning at 8:30 am. Swimmers should start arriving at East End Beach around 9:30 am.

“We encourage people to show up to cheer the swimmers on,” she said. “Every summer the date of the swim varies because the swimmers need to have the tide going with them.”