MEDIA KIT - Story Ideas for Media re: TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon - 2006

Race Beneficiary: Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation
Each year, TD Banknorth, the title sponsor of the race, “shines a light” onto a worthy organization serving Maine youth. These organizations provide good human-interest stories.

This year, in recognition of the support shown by the town of Cape Elizabeth and in keeping with a focus on youth, the race beneficiary is the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF), a non-profit organization that enriches learning for Cape youth by funding innovative projects. TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000. For more information about CEEF, visit www.capeeducationfoundation.org.

CEEF was founded in 2001 by the Cape Elizabeth community with a goal to support the community's tradition of excellence in public education and prepare students for a lifetime of success by fostering a love of learning. Some specific newsworthy initiatives include:
• Gulf of Maine Research Institute partnership – CEEF worked with GMRI reps to develop programs for Cape middle school students, and now the institute offers the same experience to middle school students across Maine.
• Robotics program – A CEEF grant has enabled high school teacher Evan Thayer to introduce robotics into the classroom. As a result of this grant, three intramural competitions were held at the high school this winter, and future middle school robotics programs are being planned for next fall with participation in the international FIRST LEGO League competitions.
• Achievement Center at the high school – Through a collaboration by the School District and CEEF, students are provided with writing conferences, SAT prep online and other ways to improve their study skills. Student visits have increased dramatically, and volunteer tutoring by other students and community members make the center unique.

CEEF also works to serve as a resource in helping other Maine towns interested in starting education foundations. This effort could provide a hook to a broader story on the value of education foundations throughout Maine as school budgets continue to tighten.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dave Sherman, president of CEEF, dss@dwmlaw.com or 799-1871

5,500 Runners in Cape, One Runner in Iraq Taking Part in TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon

Paul Tormey's service to his country in Iraq interrupted his plans to run in his third straight TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon this year.

Undeterred, Tormey, an assistant VP at TD Banknorth Maine, decided to still take part in the race. Only instead of hugging the ocean along shore road, his 10K route will take him past the Al-Faw palace in Baghdad's Camp Victory.

Tormey has been stationed the past nine months in Baghdad, attached to the Headquarters Support Company of the 415th Military Intelligence Battalion from the Louisiana National Guard. Back in Maine, he is a member of the Sub-5 Track Club and lives in Orrington with his wife and two children. At dawn on race day in Iraq he will set out on a 10K loop around Camp Victory, past the villas and man-made-lakes of the Al-Faw palace. He plans to report back to us on his run, with photos.

To contact Paul Tormey on his plans, media can e-mail him at paul.tormey@us.army.mil or contact Beryl Wolfe at beryl@wolfepr.com.

Returning World-class Runners
The TD Banknorth Beach to Beach 10K Road Race attracts some of the world’s best road racers from around the globe. Another stellar elite field is expected for the 2006 race, including returning champ Gilbert Okari of Kenya, who is seeking his fourth straight title, and Susan Chepkemei of Kenya, the 2004 champ. To monitor the latest entries and for elite runner bios, go to the race press kit posted online at www.wolfenews.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: FMI on the elite field, contact Larry Barthlow, the elite athlete director, at (617) 438-8098 or larry@worldeventsnetwork.com.

Beach to Beacon Showcase Event for Maine Runners
The elite distance runners from around the world who converge on Cape Elizabeth for the TD Banknorth Beacon 10K Road Race each year attract much of the attention. But the competitiveness of the race among Maine's top runners is also a worthwhile story. Maine runners consider the race the jewel of the racing season. The winner of this showcase event wears the unofficial title as the state road race champion.

MEDIA CONTACT: Race President David Weatherbie, dweatherbie@seafax.com or (207) 781-5970, himself an avid, top-flight runner, could provide valuable insights into the stature of the race among Maine runners. Also available as sources about what makes the race special are Byrne Decker of Yarmouth (207-846-4461) and Michael Payson of Falmouth (207-781-4617), both top Maine runners; and Julia Kirtland of South Harpswell (207-781-4617), winner of the first three races, and Christine Snow-Reaser of Dayton (207-499-2198), a two-time champ.

Spotlight on Wheelchair Athletes
The wheelchair athletes are an often overlooked aspect of the race. They start first and go whizzing by the appreciative spectators. Who are these athletes? Village Crossings, a rehabilitation and nursing center on Scott Dyer Road in Cape Elizabeth, is again offering these incredible athletes a free place to stay prior to the race.

On Friday, August 4th from 4-5:30 p.m., Village Crossings together with Alpha One, a Maine-based non-profit center for independent living, are hosting a reception for the athletes. Media are welcome. Village Crossings is located at 78 Scott Dyer Road, Cape Elizabeth, about 400 yards beyond Pond Cove School on the left (turn left at the Village Crossings sign, follow the long driveway.)

Contact: FMI, contact David Rogers, Village Crossing, 799-7332, vcmarketer@maine.rr.com

International Flavor
Each year, families from Cape Elizabeth and surrounding areas invite elite athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan and elsewhere around the globe into their homes. The home stays serve as a sort of cultural exchange for the athletes and the host families as they swap recipes and stories. Each year, more and more families from around the area are getting involved.

A good news peg this year is the trip by Janet McLaughlin, the host family coordinator, to Kenya with another host family to visit elite runners who have forged a close bond with their Cape Elizabeth hosts. Janet visited Gilbert Okari, Paul Koech, and Lorna Kipligat at their homes, and she also spent a day at Paul Koech’s school for Kenyan children. She ate dinner with Susan Chepkemei and also saw Luke Kiplosgie, James Koskei, Tom Nyariki, Evans Rutto, Gilbert Rutto and Sally Barososio – all current and former TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon participants.

Media contact: Janet McLaughlin, Host Family Coordinator, 799-6190 or JMcL1147@aol.com.

Joan Benoit Samuelson
Founder of the race with lead sponsor TD Banknorth, Joan Benoit Samuelson remains one of Maine most famous athletes and familiar faces. She has continued to amaze and enlighten – and win road races! – as an inspiration and a role model for girls and women around the globe.

MEDIA INFO: If you would like to interview Joan prior to the pre-race press conference on Aug. 4, one-on-one interviews are being tentatively scheduled with Joan on Wednesday, July 26 at 10 a.m. at Fort Williams. Contact Beryl Wolfe at Wolfe PR, beryl@wolfepr.com if you would like to interview Joan on that day.

Corporate Challenge, sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine
Bragging rights will again be at stake among some of the region’s most recognizable companies at this year’s TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. Now in its fifth year, the race’s Corporate Challenge has become a popular feature as teams compete for a Corporate Challenge Cup. Race officials expect 30 teams and more than 500 runners competing in the Corporate Challenge, sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine.

The teams are scored using net times and will be adjusted by age and gender under the WAVA (World Association of Veteran Athletes) system. The top four runners count toward the overall score, and there is no limit to the number of runners who can be entered on a team. Awards for the Corporate Challenge will be presented to the individuals who score for the top three teams in any of the three classifications: men only, women only, and mixed. The winning team in each class receives a Corporate Challenge Cup for display at their respective organizations. Corporations as well as business partnerships such as LLCs are eligible to participate.

Media Contact: David Weatherbie, race president, at 781-5970 or dweatherbie@seafax.com

Dave McGillivray, Race Director Extraordinaire, Authors Inspirational Book
Dave McGillivray, considered one of the most talented race directors anywhere, has told the story of his amazing life (so far!) in a just-published inspirational book called The Last Pick. The book provides a good news hook for a profile or a Q & A.

In the book, McGillivray, 51, shares the determination and hard-earned wisdom that allowed him to rise above the small stature that hindered many of his early athletic dreams. Though his height never surpassed the 5 feet 4 inches that seemed an insurmountable obstacle in childhood, he grew in different, much more important ways. In telling his story, McGillivray gives readers the motivation and guidance necessary to overcome their own obstacles in any part of life. Throughout, McGillivray proves that life’s limits are only what one perceives them to be.

Consider a few of his athletic exploits: at age 24 a celebrated 3,452-mile run across the U.S. to raise money for cancer research; a 1,520-mile East Coast Run; 33 consecutive Boston Marathons (a race he also directs); 115 marathons total, eight Ironman Triathlons and a number of other endurance activities to raise money for charity. In 2004, McGillivray led a team of 10 TREK USA runners who ran 3,372 miles through 12 states in 24 days in a relay-style format to raise more than $300,000 for five children's charities. The run duplicated his 1978 solo feat. All proceeds from his book will be donated to DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation (ww.dmsefoundation.org).

Also, every year since age 12, McGillivray has been running a mile for every year he's been on earth. It’s now an annual tradition, sometime on his August 22 birthday and sometimes close to it. This year, he’ll be chugging 52 miles.

CONTACT INFO: Contact McGillivray directly at (978) 258-8226 or dmse@dmsesports.com.

Take a Peek into the Medical Tent at Pre-race Seminar in Portland

Just like other aspects of the race, the medical care provided athletes at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K is second to none. Teams of medical personnel roam the race course looking for runners in trouble, but the nerve center is the medical tent located just beyond the finish line. There, as many as 100 of the region’s most talented doctors, nurses, surgeons, EMTs, paramedics, physical therapists and pediatricians volunteer their time for the event each year. Following the race, the tent is bustling with activity, like something right out of the old TV sitcom M*A*S*H. The medical operation is equipped to treat a variety of disorders, ranging from heat exhaustion to orthopedic problems to heart trouble.

This year, media interested in this topic have a great opportunity to learn more about medical care of athletes, etc. prior to the race. MaineHealth and Maine Medical Center are sponsoring a sports-medicine focused educational conference at Maine Medical Center’s Dana Auditorium on Thursday, August 3 from 5-8 p.m.

Doug Aiken, MD, the race’s medical director, will provide an overview of a typical day in the race medical tent and detail the logistics involved in providing medical services to a race with 5,500 runners. Other speakers will discuss topics including hyperthermia in athletes, exercise associated collapse, hyponatremia in runners, and the hypotensive athlete.

Media Contact: FMI, contact Doug Aiken, the medical director, at daiken@intermed.com (email is best way to reach him) or 846-9013. For anyone planning to attend the seminar, contact Chris Troyanos, the race’s medical services coordinator, at troyanos@comcast.net.

TD Banknorth Maine President to Run his 7th Race

David J. Ott, President and Chief Executive Officer of TD Banknorth Maine, will be running in his 7th TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. A resident of Cumberland, Ott has been in banking 30 years and finds time to stay in shape through running. A native of Gorham, Maine, Ott graduated from Bowdoin College in 1974 and earned his M.B.A. from Boston College in 1976. A personable, outgoing bank president, Ott would make a great profile as the face of the title sponsor. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Susan Curtis Foundation, the Mitchell Scholarship Institute, the Business Advisory Board of the University of Southern Maine, the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, and the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

Media Contact: Julie McQuillan at TD Banknorth, Julie.mcquillan@tdbanknorth.com.

Volunteer Effort
The volunteer effort necessary to make TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K a premier event is often taken for granted. It shouldn’t be. Coordinating more than 800 volunteers is a monumental task that requires patience, perseverance and a certain amount of guile. Volunteer Director Maya Cohen of Cape Elizabeth brings a personal touch to her management of the volunteers. Her program is structured to include a host of coordinators who oversee volunteers in different areas, including water stations, parking, security, course set up and breakdown, and directing traffic.

Media Contact: FMI, contact Maya Cohen at (207) 838-8816 or mmcohen@maine.rr.com.

TD Banknorth and other sponsors
Without the help of primary sponsor TD Banknorth and other major corporate partners, including Nike, Hannaford, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine, Poland Spring, WCSH TV-6, Maine Health and Northeast Delta Dental, the race would not be the first-class event it is today. TD Banknorth’s Bill Ryan met with Olympic Gold Medallist Joan Benoit Samuelson nine years ago to create this premier running event in her home state. Bank officials such as David Ott run in the race and assign staff to see the race from beginning to end each year. A number of bank employees volunteer with the race. FMI, contact Julie McQuillan of TD Banknorth at 207-828-7558, or visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or the bank’s site at www.tdbanknorth.com

Kids Fun Run
A children’s 1K race – touted as the Kids Fun Run – will again complement the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. The race, which has received little media attention in the past, continues to grow. Open to kids ages 12 and under, the event will be held in Fort Williams Park following the 10K at 9:15 a.m. The kid’s race will again boast a field size of more than 500 youngsters.

Technological Advances
The use of advanced technology is yet another aspect of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon that makes it a premiere event. Computer chips made by ChampionChip attached to each runner's shoes determine each finisher's exact time for the race. The chips are processed by Granite State Race Services to compile a list of finishers and their times. In addition, because of a history of razor-thin finishes, organizers will again use a finish line camera – unusual for a road race of its size. Lynx System Developers, Inc., based in Woburn, Mass., is providing a FinishLynx, the world's most popular and versatile digital photofinish and timing system. A FinishLynx line-scan camera only sees a very narrow piece of the world: the finish line. It looks at the finish line many times a second and stores each of these images. In case of a close finish, the images become a vital tool for the race judge to use in determining the winner.

Media Contact: FMI about ChampionChip or FinishLynx, visit online at www.championchip.com or www.finishlynx.com. Also, at FinishLynx, contact Giles Norton, Director of Corporate Communications, at (800) 989-5969 or nortong@finishlynx.com.

Town of Cape Elizabeth
The Town of Cape Elizabeth really comes through for this event. Town officials serve on the 50-plus-member Organizing Committee and are involved from the time they begin meeting in January to the day in early August when 5,000 runners and more than 10,000 spectators line the streets of this coastal town.

For more information about the town’s involvement, call Town Manager Mike McGovern at Cape Elizabeth Town Hall at 207-767-3323.

Start Line Painting
Start Line Painting will take place the Sunday before the race, July 30, beginning at 9 a.m. near the entrance to Crescent Beach State Park on Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth. Media welcome to film painting of start line, which signals the final countdown to race day.

T-Shirt Contest Winners
The T-shirts provided to adult and child runners, volunteers and staff for the 2006 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon were both designed by Cape Elizabeth students as part of an annual contest. Names of this year’s winners are:
1st Place Winning Design for Kids Fun Run is by fifth-grader Moriah Brown. Moriah’s design will appear on more than 500 t-shirts for the 1K Kids Fun Run; and 1st Place Winning Design for the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon is by ninth-grader Michael Long. Michael’s design will appear on more than 5,000 adult t-shirts for the 10K race and more than 1,000 volunteer t-shirts for race day. The designs themselves will be unveiled in the days immediately prior to the race. FMI, contact Jason Wolfe at jason@wolfenews.com.

NOTE TO REPORTERS/EDITORS: For more information or assistance with any of the above items that do not contain contact info, please contact Beryl or Jason Wolfe at Wolfe PR – (207) 741-2828, or by e-mail, beryl@wolfenews.com, jason@wolfenews.com – or Julie McQuillan at TD Banknorth – (207) 828-7558, Julie.mcquillan@tdbanknorth.com. Also, bios, a Fact Sheet, statistics, news releases and other race materials are available at www.wolfenews.com for your use. Thanks!