Online Registration Now Available for TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race

Race organizers encouraging runners to register online at www.beach2beacon.org.

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine - Online registration is now available for runners entering this year's popular TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race on Saturday, August 5 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Race organizers are encouraging runners to register soon at the race web site, www.beach2beacon.org. Printed entry forms also will be available at all TD Banknorth branches throughout the state of Maine in April.

The field size for the event, one of New England’s marquee road races, has increased to 5,500 runners this year. Now in its ninth year, the race is expected to fill up by Memorial Day, so those interested are encouraged to register early.

The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon attracts runners from throughout the region and top elite runners from around the world. Last year’s field included runners from 20 countries and 42 states. Thousands of spectators line the course to cheer the runners, and more than 700 volunteers help ensure a smooth operation.

The race begins near the Crescent Beach entrance on Route 77 in scenic, coastal Cape Elizabeth and ends at the historic and stunning Portland Head lighthouse at Fort Williams Park.

More than $50,000 in prize money is awarded to the top finishers and place winners in the various categories for men and women. The event also features a wheelchair division, and a children's 1K race with 500 kids participating. TD Banknorth is the title sponsor of the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic gold medallist and Maine’s most recognizable athlete.

“The race is a world-class event, thanks to the great volunteers, spectators, runners and elite athletes who come to Maine to compete,” said David Ott, President of TD Banknorth Maine, the state’s largest community-based bank serving more than 229,000 Maine households. “It’s also a measure of the admiration and respect within the racing world for Joan – this truly has become ‘Joanie’s Race.’ “
Ott also noted the expertise of the race director, Dave McGillivray of DMSE Sports, who also directs the Boston Marathon.

For additional info about the race, visit www.beach2beacon.org or call the race hotline toll free at (888) 480-6940.

The 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon featured a three-peat by Kenyan Gilbert Okari (27:38) and a convincing win by Lornah Kipligat of the Netherlands (31:34), who narrowly missed setting the course record. Among Maine runners, South Portland teen phenom Eric Giddings shattered the course record (30:34) while Emily Levan of Wiscasset, one of the country’s top marathoners, took the women’s title (35:52).
“The elite field for this race is always highly competitive, and equally important are the recreational runners who arrive each year from all over the country and world to make this such a spectacular event,” said Samuelson, who serves as a spokesperson for the bank during the year to promote the race and the bank’s giving programs, which benefit Maine youth with scholarships, sponsorship programs and charitable gifts.

In recognition of the support shown by the town of Cape Elizabeth and in keeping with a focus on youth, the race beneficiary for this year’s race is the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF), a non-profit organization that enriches learning for Cape youth by funding innovative projects. CEEF also works to serve as a resource in helping other Maine towns interested in starting education foundations. 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.


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