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For Immediate Release
July 16, 2007

Contact:
Jason Wolfe, Wolfe PR
(520) 399-5097
E-mail: jason@wolfenews.com

Beryl Wolfe, Wolfe PR
(520) 399-5770

Web Site: http://www.beach2beacon.org

MEDIA KIT - Story Ideas for Media re: TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon - 2007

Updated July 31

Race Beneficiary: STRIVE

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 the race committee has chosen STRIVE, a non-profit organization designed to address the many issues faced by young adults (ages 15-24) with disabilities. Areas that they focus on include: improving fundamental academic skills, developing leadership potential, improving economic opportunities through continuing education, enhancing or upgrading work skills, integrating literary and social skills into occupational/vocational opportunities, fostering career opportunities through education and training, and promoting peer support for parents and siblings of this young population.. Based in South Portland, STRIVE presently serves about 450 youths throughout southern and central Maine.

TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000. Also, STRIVE, as race beneficiary, will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity.

Founded in 1999, STRIVE provides a number of programs that offer possible news pegs and/or photo opportunities. Here are some highlights:
• Wednesday Night Educational Series - Taught by local experts on such topics as healthy relationships, computers and money management.
• Friday Night Social Events – Giving young people an opportunity to meet and make new friends from throughout southern and central Maine.
• BookWorks! – An employment training program that allows young people to run a used bookstore.
• CAMP STRIVE – A new program offering a school vacation and summer day camp program.
• Weekend Community Events - Trips, outings and events aimed at promoting socialization.

STRIVE is also known for its nationally-recognized STRIVE U, Maine’s first post-secondary program for young people with developmental disabilities which is on summer break.

For more information, go to www.pslstrive.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Brown, program manager at STRIVE - (207) 774-6278 ext. 206 e-mail: pbrown@pslservices.org.

A Tip of the Hat to the First 10 Years

This year marks the 10th running of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race. Now would be a perfect time to look back at how the race has changed and grown over the years. Joan Benoit Samuelson’s dream and vision of staging a 10K road race on the Cape Elizabeth roads where she used to train has exceeded all expectations.

Embraced by title sponsor TD Banknorth and the town of Cape Elizabeth and its residents, and attracting one of the best race organizers in David McGillivray and the world’s best road racers, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon quickly gained stature as a can’t-miss event in international road racing.

The race has continued to evolve and much has changed. For example, the original field size of 3,000 has grown to 5,500. What other changes have taken place – technological advances, etc.? And what are some of the significant moments and events that have shaped this special sporting event?

MEDIA CONTACT: Race President David Weatherbie, a Cape Elizabeth resident and skilled road racer, has been involved in the race from the outset and can provide perspective and insight. dweatherbie@seafax.com or (207) 781-5970. Joan also will be available to the media for one-on-one interviews on Tuesday morning, July 31 at Fort Williams; e-mail beryl@wolfenews.com to schedule a time. Wolfe PR also has a timeline available and can assist you with finding contacts.

At Risk Youth at Long Creek Training for Race

Up and Running ME is a new program that will feature runners from the Long Creek Youth Development Center in the race this year. Modeled after Students Run LA, the program’s mission is to challenge at risk secondary students in Maine’s juvenile justice system to experience the benefits of goal setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved mental health.

A group of youths and their mentors are running each day at 11:15 a.m. at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. Those who are granted permission to leave the grounds also are participating in the 5K training runs that are taking place each Wednesday along the Back Cove in Portland. Good human interest story about kids turning their lives around.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tim Higgins, Chaplain at the Long Creek Development Center, tim.higgins@maine.gov 822-2733.


‘Let’s Go Maine’ Brings Message of Health for Kids and Families


Let’s Go Maine is a new community-based project to encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity for kids and families in 12 Greater Portland communities. The goal of the group is to increase the number of kids under 18 who are at a healthy weight. Founding partners involved are Hannaford, Anthem, Maine Medical Center, MaineHealth, United Way of Greater Portland, UNUM and TD Banknorth.

The Let’s Go group will have a table at registration as well as signs to encourage kids while running. More information can be found at www.letsgo.org.

Media Contact: Tory Rogers, MD, 207-662-5210; cell: 207-229-2591 ROGERV@mmc.org; Robbie Lipsman, United Way of Greater Portland, 207-874-1000, Ext. 323; rlipsman@unitedwaygp.org; Carter Friend, United Way of Greater Portland, 207-874-1000, Ext. 316; cfriend@unitedwaygp.org.


Race Beneficiary – A Gift that Keeps On Giving

Getting named the beneficiary of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K is a huge deal in Maine’s non-profit community. And the $35,000 donation is only part of it. Another story idea might include talking with some past beneficiaries and how the race did and continues to benefit their non-profit organizations. Many of the past beneficiaries have continued their involvement with the race. A list of past beneficiaries can be found at www.wolfenews.com in the press kit under the race logo.

Media Contacts: Sam Beal, Big Brothers Big Sisters (207) 773-5437; Peg Libby, Kids First Center (207) 761-2709; Tory Dietel-Hopps, Riding to the Top (207) 892-2813; are ready and willing to talk about the race and its impact.

10th Anniversary Quilt

Gina D'Angelo of Cape Elizabeth, who serves on the race’s organizing committee as a medical coordinator volunteer, recently completed a unique 10th anniversary quilt that includes each of the official race T-shirts over the years (she is leaving open on block for this year’s T-shirt.)

Media Contact: Gina D’Angelo ginad51@yahoo.com 232-8034 or 767-5026.

Medical Services Second to None

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. The medical operation is equipped to treat a variety of disorders, ranging from heat exhaustion to orthopedic problems to heart trouble.

Again 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 is sponsoring a sports-medicine focused educational conference at Maine Medical Center’s Dana Auditorium on Thursday, August 2 from 6-8 p.m.

Chris Troyanos, ATC, the race’s medical coordinator, 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 Christopher.Troyanos@chtrust.org.

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 2007 race, including returning champ Thomas Nyariki of Kenya and Meb Keflezighi of the U.S., the 2004 Olympic marathon silver medalist who remains the country’s top distance runner. The women’s field is one of the deepest ever, including former champ Susan Chepkemei of Kenya, plus Wude Yimer of Ethiopia and Natalya Berkut of the Ukraine. To monitor the latest entries and for elite runner bios, go to the race press kit posted under the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon logo 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.

TD Banknorth 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.

Participant’s Provide Feedback in Survey

Race organizers surveyed registered runners in this year’s race over five days in late June in an effort to find out how many are participating for the 10th time this year. Responses showed that at least 112 runners in this year’s race have run each of the previous nine years. Their names, towns and contact info are available in an Excel spreadsheet available upon request.

The spreadsheet also includes comments from the 10-year runners and others (just under 200 in all) re: what they like best about the race and their fondest memories of the race. The comments tap into why this race is so special to the participants. Some are quite moving and might make good human-interest stories.

MEDIA CONTACT: Please contact Jason Wolfe at Wolfe PR Jason@wolfenews.com 520-399-5097 to request an emailed copy of the Excel spreadsheet and other info about the survey.

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.

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 Maine’s most admired athlete. She remains an inspiration and a role model for girls and women around the globe. Her quiet determination, on display for all the world to see at the 1984 Olympics, played a key role in making her dream of staging a major road race in Cape Elizabeth a reality. Humble and deferential, Joan rarely takes credit, but this year presents a nice opportunity to look back at what she has accomplished and how she did it...Joan also is planning to run the race this year in keeping with her pledge to run every five years.

MEDIA INFO: If you would like to interview Joan prior to the press conference on Aug. 3, one-on-one interviews are being scheduled with Joan on Tuesday, July 31 from 10 a.m., to noon that day. Contact beryl@wolfenews.com to schedule for an interview with Joan that morning.

New Category for Corporate Challenge

An increasingly popular feature of the race is the Corporate Challenge where teams from area companies compete for a Corporate Challenge Cup. Race officials expect more than 30 teams and almost 600 runners competing in the Corporate Challenge, sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine.

There is a new category this year for first-time runners, which should add even more intrigue to this highly competitive event.

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

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

David McGillivray, Race Director Extraordinaire

Joan Benoit Samuelson will tell anyone who will listen that the key to the success of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon was getting Dave McGillivray on board to direct the event. McGillivray is considered one of the most talented race directors in the world. And the proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Participants marvel at how well run and organized the race is in comparison to other events.

McGillivray and his ‘Team DMSE’ make it look easy, but there are endless steps, countless details and innumerous obstacles in making the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon happen. He also directs the Boston Marathon, and could share with you how they dealt with and prevailed in miserable weather conditions there earlier this year.

McGillivray’s athletic exploits also are interesting, as well as his work as a motivational speaker, author, and commitment to children’s fitness and charitable organizations.

CONTACT INFO: Contact McGillivray directly at (978) 258-8226 or dmse@dmsesports.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 11 years ago to create this premier running event in her home state.

This year, Larry Wold, President and Senior Loan Officer of TD Banknorth in Maine, will run the race for the 10th time. Wold, a resident of Freeport, is an active member of the community and is often involved in fundraising events and causes. He joined the company in 1991. If interested in a 10-year runner, Wold would make a great feature story.

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

Technology Aspects

The use of advanced technology is yet another aspect of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon that makes it a premier 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.

A Peek at the Race’s Future Participants

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 9:30 a.m. The kid’s race boasts a field size of more than 500 youngsters.

Start Line Painting

The painting of the Start Line will take place the Sunday before the race, July 29, beginning at 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Route 77 near the entrance to Crescent Beach State Park on Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth. Media welcome to film or photograph the event, which signals the final countdown to race day.

MEDIA CONTACT: Beryl Wolfe, Wolfe PR, beryl@wolfenews.com or (520) 399 5770

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 5,500 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.

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 – (520) 399-5770 or 5097, 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!



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