FACT SHEET: Fifth Annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10k Road Race 2002

Date of Race:

Saturday, August 3, 2002


Title Sponsor:

Peoples Heritage Bank


Distance:

10 kilometers (6.2 miles)


Size of Field:

5,000


Mission of Race:

"Peoples Promise: Shining the Light for Maine Youth" is part of the bank's pledge to support and benefit young people in Maine. As a result, proceeds from the race go to a different children's charity each year. Kids First Center was the 2001 beneficiary.


2002 Youth
Beneficiary:

Opportunity Farm, a long-term, family-style, residential facility in New Gloucester for at-risk Maine youth. Founded in 1910, the farm provides a one-of-a-kind, structured program for boys, emphasizing accountability and responsibility. In 2002, Opportunity Farm will break ground on a separate campus for at-risk girls, a major expansion that happens to coincide with its selection as the race beneficiary. A gift of $30,000 from race proceeds will be donated, and Opportunity Farm will further benefit from fundraising opportunities and publicity valued at an additional $40,000 or more.


History:

Peoples Heritage Bank and Joan Benoit Samuelson, a 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist marathoner from Maine, founded the race in 1998 as a way to support Maine children by creating a world-class event for the state. The race draws elite athletes from all over the world, as well as top Maine and New England runners. About 900 local volunteers help run the race, and more than 10,000 spectators line the course.


Races:

10k Wheelchair division at 8 a.m.; runners at 8:05 a.m.; and children's 1k race begins at 10 a.m.


Purse:

More than $50,000 in prize money


Race Director:

Dave McGillivray, Sports Enterprises, Inc. (DMSE)


Start/Finish:

Picturesque 6.2-mile course from Crescent Beach to the lighthouse at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth.


Registration:

Printed applications will be available in the spring at any Peoples Heritage Bank branch in Maine. Runners also can register online before than at the race's web site address, http://www.beach2beacon.org, the bank's site at http://www.peoplesheritage.com, or by calling 888-480-6940.