SOUTH PORTLAND – For the first time in five years, the sun didn’t shine for Tri for a Cure. Not that it mattered.

Even a steady rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of the more than 1,000 women who swam, biked and ran in the fifth annual Tri for a Cure triathlon Sunday morning on the campus of Southern Maine Community College, or the thousands of spectators and volunteers who lined the beaches and roads of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth to cheer them on.

The all-women race raised more than $1.2 million for cancer research this year. Since the event was founded in 2008, it has raised more than $4 million for the Maine Cancer Foundation, 100 percent of which has been reinvested back into supporting 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.”

The athletes competed as either individuals or as part of two- or three-member relay teams, completing a 1/3-mile swim around Spring Point Head Light, followed by a 15-mile bike ride through the streets of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth and a 3.1-mile run through Bug Light and back to the finish line at SMCC.

Spectators lined the beach at the start and the roads all along the bike and running routes, enthusiastically cheering on the participants that went by, relation or not.

Kim Hartwell of Windham, participating in her second straight Tri for a Cure after losing eight family members to cancer in 2010, said the presence of the crowd and the cancer survivors in the race was huge boost as the fatigue started to set in.

“Even in the pouring rain the streets were packed, there was not an empty spot on the bike (route),” Hartwell said. “It’s amazing, you think you can’t do it and then you see a survivor and you go, ‘Well, this is nothing compared.’”

The race featured its traditional start with cancer survivors making up the entirety of the first wave of swimmers. One such participant was Tanya McPhee of Cape Elizabeth, who survived ovarian cancer five years ago and was competing in her first triathlon. In fact, Sunday’s race 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.”

Some who participated had no direct connection to cancer, but raced to raise funds anyway. June Usher of Westbrook said even though no one in her immediate family had been touched by cancer, she was participating in case any of her friends or family are diagnosed in the future.

“That’s kind of why I ran,” Usher said, “because I don’t know anyone immediately close to me that has cancer, so I’m almost running in the hope that I never have to deal with that and for anyone who has. One day if it ever happens to me or someone close to me, this will give me hope.”

After completing the grueling course, the finish was by far the most emotional part of the race, as many runners broke down and hugged one another after crossing the line. In this triathlon, it was the racing and the finishing that mattered, not the winning.

“I think it’s an honor to be able to cross that finish line with so many women, especially the women who are cancer survivors,” said Catherine Corey of South Portland, participating for the fourth time. “They just have so much courage and hope and it just keeps you wanting to put your best foot forward every year and do this.

“They inspire you.”

Tri for a Cure at SMCC