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For Immediate Release
March 19, 2003

Contact:
Meg Dempsey
(207) 828-7055
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com

Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115

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

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 19, 2003) - Online registration is now available for runners entering this year's popular Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race on Saturday, August 2 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

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

The field size for the event, which was increased last year in celebration of the race's 5th anniversary, will remain at 5,000 runners this year. The race is expected to fill up by early summer, so those interested are encouraged to register early.

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 2002 race crowned a new champion in another exciting women's race as Adriana Fernandez of Mexico defeated four-time champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya. James Koskei of Kenya won the men's race, defeating Henrick Ramaala of South Africa in a dramatic sprint for the finish tape. Among Maine runners, Andy Spaulding of Freeport and Christine Snow-Reaser of Dayton each repeated as champions.

The race was founded by Peoples Heritage Bank and bank spokesperson Joan Benoit Samuelson, Maine's most recognizable athlete who won two Boston Marathons and in 1984 won the gold medal in the first Olympic marathon for women.

"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 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, also directs the Boston Marathon and will be at the helm 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.

"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.

The youth organization chosen by the bank this year to be the race beneficiary is Seeds of Peace, a group that promotes tolerance and understanding among youth around the world. Peoples will provide a cash donation of $30,000 from race proceeds, and Seeds of Peace will further benefit from fundraising opportunities and publicity valued at more than $40,000.

Seeds of Peace brings together youth from troubled regions of the world to co-exist in an internationally-recognized conflict resolution program at a summer camp in western Maine as a way to dispel the hatred and misconceptions that divide them. For the past three years, Seeds of Peace has included sessions for local and immigrant teens from Portland - the organization's first effort to apply its methods of conflict resolution directly to an American contingent. The program is now open to teens all over Maine. There is no other such program available to and serving Maine youth.

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, please call the race hotline toll free at(888)480-6940.

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