The 31st annual Peaks to Portland open-water swim attracted 316 swimmers on Saturday, July 21. The 2.4-mile race was held under perfect weather conditions, and raised more than $26,000 for the event sponsor, the Cumberland County YMCA. Scott Yeomans of Bethlehem, Pa., was the overall winner in a time of 45:32.8, while Pamela Torrey of Portland was the first woman to finish, in 50:14.5. (Photos by Natalie Conn.)

Some of the 316 swimmers churn the water off Peaks Island as they start the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21.Kayakers, each with a unique balloon so as to be identified by their swimming partner, prepare to take off from Peaks Island on Saturday, July 21 for the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race, which benefits the YMCA. The event raised more than $26,000.Claire Schreiber, 30, of Portland, gets her racing number at Peaks Island on Saturday, July 21st in preparation for the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race. Claire and her husband, Brem Stoner participated in the race for the first time.The scene at Peaks Island before the 31st annual Peaks to Porland race on Saturday, July 21.The beach at Peaks Island was packed with colorful kayaks used by swimmer’s supporters at the start of the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21.Some of the swimmers tape their feet to avoid getting cut by sea shells when walking out in the shallow water at Peaks Island at the start of the Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21.Swimmers warm up in the water of Peaks Island before the 31st Annual Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21.A swimmer prepares to swim in the Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21.Swimmers set out from Peaks Island during the 31st annual Peaks to Portland swim race on Saturday, July 21.A lifeguard watches Peaks to Portland racers start their 2.4-mile swim on Saturday, July 21.For the second consecutive year, Scott Yeomans, 48, of Bethlehem, Pa., was the first swimmer to reach East End Beach in the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21. His time was 45:32.8.Swimmers, watched by their kayakers, start the 2.4-mile swim from Peaks Island to Portland on Saturday, July 21.Pamela Torney, 51, of Portland, was the first woman to finish the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21. Her time was 50:14.5.Sandy Gottesman embraces his granddaughter, Payton Johl, after swimming in the 31st annual Peaks to Portland race on Saturday, July 21.