PEOPLES BEACH TO BEACON 10K ROAD RACE REGISTRATION FILLING UP

Online applications proving popular with more than 900 registering via the Internet

PORTLAND, Maine ÷ First it was microchips attached to the runners' shoes. This year it's online registration through the bank's web site. Next year, who knows what added technologies the race will offer. But this much is clear ÷ the third annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race set for August 5 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, has a record number applying this year to run in the popular race.

So far, more than 2,500 mail and online applications have been received by Peoples Heritage Bank, which sponsors and coordinates the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic Gold Medalist from Maine who also serves as a spokesperson for the Peoples Promise Program for youths in Maine. The field for this year's race will again be limited to 4,000 runners. That means in order for registrants to receive a confirmation packet, they should have their applications in by June 15, according to race organizers.

"We've had a great response so far, especially from the online registration through our web site," said Meg Dempsey, vice president and director of public affairs at Peoples Heritage Bank and the bank's lead organizer of the race. "Runners from three countries and more than 40 states are coming, and more than 170 have registered for the kids' race. About 40 percent of the online registrations are coming from Maine residents, and of the 2,500 applications we've received to date, about 900 of them have registered through our web site at peoplesheritage.com."

Printed entry forms are also available at all Peoples Heritage branches throughout the state of Maine.

Milemarkers were placed last month along the race's scenic route, which begins at Crescent Beach along Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth and ends 6.2 miles later at the Portland Headlight lighthouse at Fort Williams Park.

Race organizers this year plan to make improvements to traffic flow and parking issues since the race draws some 6,000 spectators in addition to the 4,000 runners. The organizing committee has been meeting since November to plan housing, traffic, volunteers, water, registration and other issues.

The race director for the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is Dave McGillivray, who serves as the Technical Director of the Boston Marathon and also organized the previous two years of what has now become Maine's premier running race.

In addition to Peoples, other major sponsors this year include Nike, Poland Spring, MBNA, American Airlines and WCSH TV-6, which will air a half hour special at 7 p.m. the night of the race.

The youth organization chosen by the bank this year to be the race beneficiary is Turning Point Farm, a long-term home for children ages six to 11 that will open in early July. Set on an idyllic 12-acre, 16-room farmhouse off Route 100 in New Gloucester, Turning Point Farm will be a home for young boys and girls who have been abused or neglected and are in the care of the Maine Department of Human Services. It was founded by Nancy Rochat, who will serve as the director. As this year's race beneficiary, the farm will receive $30,000. Last year, the race beneficiary was Camp Sunshine, and the first year of the race it was Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

For additional information on the race, or to find out more about volunteer opportunities, call the race hotline toll free at 1-888-480-6940 or log on to the Peoples Heritage Bank website, www.peoplesheritage.com.

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