A running relay will wind its way through the Midcoast along Route 1, Sunday morning, August 11. With little fanfare expected, at least one runner at each stage will pass the baton of awareness and fundraising for first responder mental and physical health. Most transition points along the Run2Respond's Maine to Maryland course will be fire departments. The relay is a fundraiser for The Firefighter Five Foundation, of Delaware, which focuses on the wellbeing of first responders. According to the Foundation, Persian Gulf War Air Force veteran Steve Bender founded the organization in 2013 "to help fill the gap in assistance to our home front heroes, the first responders." Bender, a 29-year volunteer firefighter, will initiate the relay from Maine's Great Cranberry Fire Department, Aug. 10, at 7:30 a.m., and watch as the baton continues night and day, rain or shine (the same way responders continue) to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, in Maryland, Aug. 18, with a projected 10:45 p.m. finale.