The Tri for a Cure, held last Sunday in South Portland, has in only five years become one of the most successful charity ventures Maine has ever seen.

The all-women race, which featured 593 individual finishers and 180 relay teams, raised more than $1.2 million for cancer research this year, making it the single-highest one-day benefit for the Maine Cancer Foundation. Since the event was founded in 2008, it has raised more than $4 million, all of which has gone directly to supporting cancer research and treatment in Maine.

“It means so many things on so many different levels,” said Tara Mill, executive director of the Maine Cancer Foundation. “It’s a wonderful community event and inspiration to the survivors and the people who have supported cancer survivors.

“But it’s also critical to us and our funding and for research and education programs throughout Maine,” she continued. “It will really make a difference and help lead us towards that cancer-free future we’re all hoping for.”

As Mill said, the Tri for a Cure is about more than the money that is raised. It is about the challenge posed by the course, and about the participants, many who never dreamed of completing a triathlon, supporting each other as they drive toward the finish line.

And it is about survivors showing that their bodies and minds, once attacked by disease, are strong enough to conquer anything.

Take Tanya McPhee for instance. The Cape Elizabeth woman, who beat ovarian cancer five years ago, finished her first triathlon Sunday. In fact, she said, it was her “first competitive anything.”

“To me it’s amazing to see what my body can do after what I’ve been through, and to be able to put money back into supporting cancer research is wonderful,” McPhee said. “I never thought I’d be able to do this and I did it.”

Many similar stories will be playing out at this weekend’s big race, the Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth. While not specifically a benefit, race organizers donate each year to a charity. This year, it’s $30,000 to the Center for Grieving Children.

And just as at the Tri for a Cure, the Beach to Beacon race route is a chance for participants to push and test themselves while surrounded by supporters, in the form of both crowd members and other runners.

That s certainly true for Michele Flynn of Cape Elizabeth, who has run in all 14 Beach to Beacon races, and will toe the starting line for her 15th on Sunday.

Not even cancer could keep her away from her favorite race. In 2004, Flynn postponed her final chemotherapy treatment so she could take part.

“Crossing that finish line in 2004 was pretty amazing, with my husband on one side and my daughter on the other,” she said. “Granted, my time was pretty slow, but I finished.”

As the women who took on the Tri for a Cure last weekend will tell you, that’s all that matters.

Ben Bragdon, managing editor

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