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

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

PORTLAND, Maine (March 18, 2002) - Online registration is now available for runners entering this year's special 5th anniversary Peoples Beach to Beacon 10k Road Race on August 3 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Race organizers are encouraging runners to register at the race's newly redesigned and updated web site, www.beach2beacon.org. Printed entry forms also will be available at all Peoples Heritage branches throughout the state of Maine in late April.

The field size will increase to 5,000 runners this year in celebration of the 5th anniversary of the popular race along the picturesque shores of Maine's rocky coast. Even with 1,000 additional participants, runners are encouraged to register early to ensure a spot at the starting line in August, said race organizer Meg Dempsey, vice president and director of public affairs at Peoples Heritage Bank.

The scenic course will be the same as last year, beginning at Crescent Beach along Route 77 and ending 6.2 miles later at the Portland Head lighthouse at Fort Williams Park. The event also features a wheelchair division of the race and a children=s 1K race.

Organizers already are busy making arrangements for the race, which draws some 10,000 spectators and attracts elite runners worldwide as well as top and recreational runners locally and across New England. The 2001 race featured a course record in another exciting women's race. Catherine Ndereba of Kenya retained her crown for the fourth straight year and Evans Rutto of Kenya won the men's race. New champions also were crowned among Maine runners - Andy Spaulding of Freeport and Christine Snow-Reaser of Dayton.

Besides increasing the field size to 5,000 for the first time, Peoples Beach to Beacon race organizers are planning other ways to celebrate the 5th anniversary. Details of special events will be announced as they become available.

The race was founded by Peoples Heritage Bank and bank spokesperson Joan Benoit Samuelson, a Mainer and running legend who has won two Boston Marathons and in 1984 won the gold medal in the first Olympic marathon for women.

The Peoples Beach to Beacon has quickly become a "must" event on the schedules of many elite runners worldwide as well as top runners locally and across New England. Its race director since its inception, Dave McGillivray, who also directs the Boston Marathon, was recently named the race director for the 2004 Olympic Women's Marathon Trials in St. Louis.

Last year, more than 900 volunteers from Cape Elizabeth and surrounding communities pitched in to further cement the race's reputation as a premier tourist destination and favorite among locals as well. This year, organizers will again develop lists of host families and volunteers to help in a number of key areas, from course set up to running the water stops along the course.

"The race is a world-class event, thanks to the great volunteers, spectators, runners and elite athletes who come to Maine to compete," said Michael W. McNamara, president and CEO of Peoples, a Maine-based bank with more than 60 branches throughout the state.

The youth organization chosen by the bank this year to be the race beneficiary is Opportunity Farm, a long-term, family-style, residential facility in rural New Gloucester for at-risk Maine youth. The farm, serving at-risk boys since 1910, will soon offer its one-of-a-kind, structured program to girls as part of a major expansion that happens to coincide with its selection as the race beneficiary. The beneficiary last year was the Kids First Center. Turning Point Farm, Camp Sunshine and Big Brothers/Big Sisters also were beneficiaries in previous years.

As this year's race beneficiary, Opportunity Farm will receive a $30,000 cash donation from Peoples Heritage Bank and will further benefit from fundraising opportunities and publicity valued at more than $40,000.

"It's just been an outstanding effort on the part of the bank and the people of Maine to create this phenomenal event, and we're also glad to be able to really help a youth organization each year," said Joan Benoit Samuelson.

For additional information, visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or the bank's web site at www.peoplesheritage.com. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, persons also may call the race hotline toll free at (888) 480-6940.

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