MONTVILLE, Maine — For the 18th year, dozens of people descended on GW Martin's Montville back yard on Saturday to act like kids for the day.
They came for the New England Runner Sled Championship and, if you asked Martin, he was acting exactly his age. He grinned as he held an antique, flat wooden sled with traditional metal runners.
"It's a misconception," he said of the adolescent insinuation. "This sled was an adult's toy when it was made."
Before snowmobiles and other, modern winter vehicles, Martin explained, adults used runner sleds for fun just as their children did. Fun was the overarching mood Saturday, but the championship was a competition.
A group of 47 adults and 20 kids walked to the top of Martin's piece of Hogback Mountain and launched themselves, two at a time by age group, down a winding course back to the bottom. Following double elimination rules, they did this again and again until a winner was to be crowned that evening.
Martin also belongs to the New England Runner Sled Association. Its members made improvements to the track over the years including, for the first time, a wooden fence running along the track.
A perfect addition, Martin believed, because he could now better display banners for the many valued sponsors who contributed to the cause.
How about keeping racers out of the woods?
"Oh, yeah, of course, that too," he said.
As long as they were runner sleds, antiques were not required. But, local and longtime competitor Patrick Terry said, they just don't make them like they used to.
"They're quality sleds," he said, interrupted by a woman whizzing by and cursing as she gained speed. "You know, you can't go buy a plastic sled today... it's not gonna last like these Flexible Flyers."
There is no entry fee and no prize money, Martin promised. The winners for the two age groups get their names etched onto a commemorative runner sled, alongside the names of past winners.