PRESS KIT - Story Ideas for Media re: TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race

Race Beneficiary - Junior Achievement of Maine

Junior Achievement of Maine, Inc. (JA) is a non-profit organization providing economic education programs that help inspire Maine children to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviors of success in a global economy. Offered in more than 100 schools across the state, JA programs reached almost 9,000 Maine students in 2009. Through JA classroom programs and Job Shadow experiences, JA of Maine brings volunteers from the community face to face with students to make economic concepts relevant, raise aspirations, and challenge the students to excel. For more information, visit www.jamaine.org.
TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to Junior Achievement of Maine. The organization also will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity through its association with one of Maine’s premiere sporting events.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. JA programs help prepare young people by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities. JA’s unique approach allows volunteers from the community to deliver its curriculum while sharing their experiences with students. Embodying the heart of JA, classroom volunteers transform the key concepts of lessons into a message that inspires and empowers students to believe in themselves, showing them they can make a difference in the world.

Here are some story ideas about JA runners in this year’s race:

• College Student Deana Peterson is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin and is raising funds to help Junior Achievement as well as coming to Maine to run the race, inspired by having just met Joan Benoit Samuelson at the Bellin 10K a few weeks ago in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
  
  Here is an excerpt from her web site (www.firstgiving.com): “My classmates and I were fortunate to participate in a job shadow day. I chose to visit the Eagle Bluff Elementary School and shadow a teacher. I enjoyed it so much, and it was a great opportunity to observe another school and ask the faculty questions about their roles in educating students. My experience with Junior Achievement is unforgettable, and I learned valuable lessons. Now, I would like to help raise money for other students so that they can also have the opportunity to participate in useful activities.”
  
  If interested in doing a story on Deana, call her at 608-797-3728 or email her at PetersDE@uwec.edu.


• Bangor Resident Danielle Burke is JA’s finance chair for the Junior Achievement Penobscot County Board (Bangor). She is an active JA Board member and as a classroom volunteer has taught JA programs in Maine schools. She is also working on the auction committee for her region. She has embraced the JA mission and is a perfect example of what JA is aiming for – a member of JA’s business community bringing financial education to Maine students.
  
  If interested in doing a story on Danielle Burke, call her at (207) 945-0612 or email her at Danielle_d_burke@keybank.com.


• 10-year-old Parker Wyatt is an energetic, vibrant young man and aspires to do his best in all he does. He has run more races in his young years than most adults and he was the first JA runner to reach his fundraising goal of $500. To help his cause, he has his own YouTube video - click to view - and he was recently featured in a local paper - www.theforecaster.net.
  
  Parker has been training for this year’s TD Bank Beach to Beacon and would make a great feature. He can be reached through his father, Bryan Wyatt, at bryan@cdmc.com.

Media Contact: in addition to the above contacts listed, Melissa Bourque, JA’s president, can be reached at 207 347-4333 president@jamaine.org or Special Events and Marketing Manager Jenny Ramirez-Jasa can be reached at 207 347-4333 x12 events@jamaine.org.


NEW Story Ideas - as of This Week

Wedding Day Runners

Two runners, Ellen Honan and Dick Curry, are starting off their wedding day with the 2010 TD Bank Beach to Beacon. They will be wearing festively decorated white "bride" and "groom" hats and friends and family will be cheering them on, and they will be married later that day. Although they have known each other for years, they initiated their "dating" relationship at the 2008 race. contact the bride Ellen Honan at ellen_honan@yarmouth.k12.me.us, (She checks it regularly - at least every other day during the summer) The wedding is going to be at 2 p.m. at Holy Marty's (Falmouth) and the reception at the Portland Country Club.

Peter Cohen: Inspired by Joanie

Peter Cohen met Joanie at the Portland airport in late August of 2009 – he told her he had recovered from a serious neurological disorder called Dystonia through a brain procedure he had and that he had just started doing some running. He had also seen her a previous year at the airport when he was being pushed around in a wheelchair.

“I'm excited to tell you that I've been doing slow but steady training and that I'll running in this year's B2B! It a very moving experience for me and when I ran 6 miles for the first time ever last week I actually wept,” he told Joanie in an e-mail this week. Peter can be reached at petercohen64@gmail.com, or (207) 653-1969.

Kid’s Fun Run to Feature TD Bank Penny Arcade Video Contest Aug. 6

TD Bank will hold a Penny Arcade Anniversary Video Contest at this year’s Kid’s Fun Run. Young savers ages 6-12 will have the opportunity to step-up to a “Penny Pod” and make a one minute video explaining what “saving” means to them for a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship. There will be a special opportunity to enter the contest on Aug. 6 starting at 5 p.m. at the Kids Fun Run near the soccer field at Fort Williams Park. As part of the Penny Arcade Anniversary Video Contest “Penny Pods” will be available in select TD Bank locations through Sept. 30. Video submissions will be available to view on the TD Bank media room (https://mediaroom.tdbank.com) where consumers will have the opportunity to view and vote for their favorite videos. Ten regional finalists will be chosen by consumers to receive a $100 TD Bank gift card and one grand prize winner will be chosen by a panel of TD Bank judges to receive a $5,000 scholarship. The TD Bank Penny Arcade is an interactive and efficient coin-counting machine that is free to anyone who uses it, even if you are not yet a TD Bank customer; and is one of the bank’s most unique and popular features. TD Bank’s exclusive Penny Arcade and video contest is just another way that TD Bank exceeds customer expectations by providing signature “WOW!” service.

Media Contact: Ashley Dodd, Coburn Communication, 212.536.9835,
Ashley.dodd@coburnww.com


Host Families Welcome Elites to Cape Elizabeth

Each year, families from Cape Elizabeth and surrounding areas host the elite athletes who arrive in Maine from Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, Romania, Russia, Morocco and elsewhere around the globe.

The World Cup has focused attention in the U.S. on other countries and other cultures, suggesting potential high interest in a story like this.

One story idea is on the program itself - the home stays serve as a cultural exchange for the athletes and the host families as they swap recipes and stories. More and more local families from the area get involved each year; however, there are some families who have done it year after year. And those bonds between athlete and family are growing stronger and more connected. We can supply names of families and their runners. Contact info below.

Runner specific story ideas:

Five-time Beach to Beacon winner and Olympic marathoner Catherine Ndereba is staying with the DeSena family, the same family she stayed with for a number of years before her five-year absence from the race. Contact Jen DeSena, 799-0480, jennifer.desena@nemoves.com.

Dejene Berhanu and his wife Ayelech Assefa are both running as are a number of married couples. They are staying with Jeff and Kerri Berman, 799-5336 kberman@maine.rr.com

Ed Muge, the reigning two-time champ, is returning to stay with the same family -- Alicia and Bob Danielson, 767-3303. rdaniel2@maine.rr.com.

Media Contact: Kathy Tarpo, Host Family Coordinator can also tell you which athlete is staying with what family as well as when they come into town. Contact her at kmtarpo@gmail.com, or Larry Barthlow, the elite athlete coordinator, can assist in reaching runners, larry@worldeventsnetwork.com.

Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Recycling Program

The TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is teaming up with Nike Reuse-A-Shoe during this year’s race to keep worn-out shoes out of the landfill. Runners and their supporters can drop off athletic shoes of any brand at the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe bin during the pre-race Expo at the Cape Elizabeth High School gym, across the hall from race registration, on Thursday, Aug. 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. or Friday, Aug. 6, from 2:30 to 8 p.m. Shoes are also collected year-round at all Nike U.S. retail locations, including the Nike Store located at 1 Freeport Village Station in Freeport, Maine.

Nike recycles the shoes into Nike Grind, a material used in sports surfaces around the world - including the Joan Benoit Samuelson Track at Bowdoin College. More than 23 million pairs of shoes have been collected globally since 1990.

More information, drop-off locations, videos, images and a press kit are available at www.nikereuseashoe.com, or by contacting Sue Slack, a manager at the Nike Factory Store in Freeport at Susan.Slack@nike.com, or Beryl Wolfe at beryl@wolfepr.com or (520) 399-5770.

Greening the 2010 TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K

There is a movement afoot across the country to make road races more environmentally friendly, and the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is among the events leading the way.

The race is expanding its environmental practices this year, thanks to its green corporate sponsor, Fairchild Semiconductor, and green consulting partner, Athletes for a Fit Planet. Together, they are building on the race’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility – lead sponsor TD Bank is a strong environmental proponent. Click here for details on this year's “green activities” or read below:

• Recycling and composting from start to finish. This year’s TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K will have Green Team members the start, on the course at the water stations, and at the finish festival. The Green Team’s job is to make sure the race diverts as much waste as humanly possible from landfill. This includes the recycling of all plastic, cardboard, paper, glass, and metal, as well as the composting of all food waste and the thousands of wax-coated paper cups used on the course. Last year, the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K recycled or composted 46 percent of all waste produced and this year is aiming for at least 60 percent waste diversion.


• Collecting redeemable plastic bottles. In addition to recycling and composting, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K collects the empty single-use disposable plastic bottles provided to runners at the finish and donates the money to charity. In 2009, Green Team volunteers collected 8,278 plastic water bottles. In 2010, the goal is 10,000.


• Eco-friendly portable toilets. All the portable toilets for the race will be using non-toxic, earth-friendly chemicals and recycled paper to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Typically, the chemicals used in the toilet tank contain harsh, often toxic chemicals.


• Shoe recycling with Nike Reuse a Shoe Program: The TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is encouraging runners to bring their old running shoes to the Expo at registration to drop them in the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe box. The Expo will be held at the Cape Elizabeth HS Gym (across the hall from race registration) concurrently with registration hours – 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5 and 2:30-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6. This program keeps shoes out of landfills (they take hundreds of years to break down) and provides a second life for the materials in the shoes in such things as playgrounds, basketball courts and tracks. It’s all part of Nike’s Considered Design Philosophy. FMI, go to http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/press-room.


• No more paper registration. For several years now, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K has registered 100 percent of all runners online, thus saving paper and printing. In addition, the majority of the race’s communications to runners are conducted by e-mail and through the website.


• Rideshare to the race. A race the size of the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K will typically generate 80 tons of CO2 just from athlete, staff and volunteer travel. If athletes are flying to the race, the carbon footprint can be much higher. In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, race officials are encouraging everyone to share a ride to the race.

“It is with a sense of moral obligation that the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is taking steps to green its operations and appearance - so we are very grateful to Fairchild for enabling us to expand the program this year,” said Joan Benoit Samuelson, the race founder. “As one of the most popular road race events in the U.S., this race can showcase measures that can be taken at running events and in people’s daily lives that will reduce GHG emissions. Running is a pure sport – runners are in tune with environmental changes by the nature of their daily runs and running experiences. It only makes sense for a race that receives great acclaim and visibility to do its part to reduce the runners’ footprints throughout the event - from before they start the race until well after they cross the finish line.”

Media Contact: For more info on the race’s program, contact Bruce Rayner, Chief Green Officer at FitPlanet - 508-380-0868 bruce@afitplanet.com. FitPlanet is a leading provider of eco-services for athletic events in the U.S. and Canada. The company advises event organizers on cost-effective strategies, and products and services for reducing, recycling and composting waste, reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing the impact of the event on the local environment. Also available is Patti Olson at Fairchild Semiconductor, 1-(800) 341-0392 X 8728, patti.olson@fairchildsemi.com.

TD Bank a Perfect Fit as Lead Sponsor of Race

Without the help of a lead sponsor like TD Bank, it would be difficult to put on a world class event. TD Bank former president and CEO Bill Ryan met with Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson 14 years ago to create this premier running event in her home state.
This year, Larry Wold, President of TD Bank in Maine, will again run the race - for the 13th 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 story about someone who has run the race all 13 years, Wold would make a great feature story.

Other TD-related story ideas include:

Public Private Partnerships
The TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is a prime example of the good that can result from corporations, non-profits and local governments working together toward a common goal. A story could examine this synergy and why and how it is important. Many companies feel a strong sense of corporate responsibility in supporting their communities. How do these efforts benefit a company? And what about those companies, such as TD Bank, who do more than just write a check.

Green
TD Bank is becoming as green as its logo. It is committed to protecting the environment and introducing those in its communities to ways they too can help protect the environment, such as choosing to walk or ride their bike when possible instead of using a car. TD Bank recently announced that it is carbon neutral and has pledged to develop LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified stores moving forward. The bank is committed to constructing greener buildings, lower energy consumption, and making a significant investment in renewable energy from sources like wind, solar and low-impact hydro power.
The bank’s green initiatives are a good fit with the greening of the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K. This year, TD Bank’s new green mascot “TD” will be on hand at various race events, including the press conference and the media tent on race day. Click here for more info on the new mascot.

Financial Literacy
TD Bank is a strong proponent of financial literacy. Recent surveys show that young people lack fiscal literacy because no one has taught them the true value of a dollar. As we've seen from the headlines, financial health is crucial to a healthy and successful life. But how do you learn it?

To make sure kids get the skills they need, TD Bank created the TD Bank WOW! Zone, a multimedia financial education program that has recently been rolled out in the New England area.

The free workshops are presented in the classroom with additional resources online, and are designed to help students in grades K-12 develop strong economic skills. Trained TD Bank instructors volunteer an average of 5,000 hours of classroom and in-store instruction to 4,900 classes and 100,000 students each year.

TD Bank’s financial literacy efforts offer a good tie in with this year’s race beneficiary, JA of Maine, a leader in helping kids learn financial literacy.

Media Contact: FMI, contact Julie McQuillan of TD Bank at 207-828-7558, or Rebecca Acevedo, 856-470-3201. Rebecca.acevedo@yesbank.com or visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or the bank’s site at www.tdbank.com.

Joan Benoit Samuelson

Founder of the race with lead sponsor TD Bank, Joan Benoit Samuelson, 53, is a running icon who remains Maine’s most admired athlete. She is an inspiration and a role model for girls and women around the globe. Her quiet determination, on display for the entire 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.

Joan continues to compete at a high level, participating in (and winning) road races around the country – including the recent L.L. Bean 10K in Freeport. But Joan’s legacy goes well beyond her records. She is a strong advocate for the environment, children and healthy choices. Humble and deferential, Joan rarely takes credit for her accomplishments, nor does she rest on her laurels. Hers would be a timely and fascinating profile.

We have organized a “Media Morning at the Fort with Joanie” for Tuesday, Aug. 3 where media can schedule one-on-one interviews with Joanie between 10 a.m. and noon. Contact Beryl Wolfe at beryl@wolfepr.com to schedule a time.

Let’s Go! – StoryWalk

TD Bank is one of seven Founding Partners of the “Let’s Go!” program, which will be featured at this year's Kid's Fun Run on Aug. 6. Let’s Go! promotes healthy lifestyle choices for children and families in 12 Greater Portland communities by focusing on physical activity and healthy eating. One of the tools the program uses is the StoryWalk, which takes a children’s book and mounts individual pages along a trail where the kids move from page to page. It gets them outside and active, and at the same time promotes reading. The Let's Go! StoryWalk has been featured dozens of times at schools, childcare facilities and community events. Let's Go! will also be emphasizing the importance of drinking water at this year’s Kid's Race, because it is important for active kids to stay hydrated. Remember, water is the original thirst quencher.

Media Contact: Contact Julie McQuillan, Community Relations Manager at TD Bank, at 207-828-7558 julie-mcquillan@tdbanknorth.com for details.

ChronoTrack Timing System Back with a Twist

For the second year, runners will be timed with the new ChronoTrack UHF Timing System and its single-use tag, only this time the tag will be attached to the bib rather than the shoe. Runners this year will receive a Btag, which goes on the back of their bib, rather than last year’s Dtag, attached to the shoe. Race officials do not need to collect the tags, and recycling containers will be available after the finish area for easy disposal. For more information, go to www.chronotrack.com.

Media contact: Bob Teschek of Granite State Race Services, 603 863-2537 racetime@gsrs.com or www.gsrs.com.

Returning World-class Runners

The TD Bank Beach to Beach 10K Road Race attracts some of the world’s best road racers from around the globe. This year’s field includes some familiar old faces – Khalid Khannouchi (1999 champ and former course record holder and American marathon legend on the comeback trail at age 38) and Catherine Ndereba (a five-time champ and Olympic marathoner making her return to race following a five-year absence) – as well as some new faces who just happen to be the hottest road racers in the world right now – Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia and Lineth Chepkurui of Kenya, who both blazed to victories in the recent Peachtree 10K. Returning champs Ed Muge and Irene Limika, both of Kenya, will certainly have their work cut out for them. For more info on the field, see this recent news release about the field.

Media Contact: FMI on the elite field, contact Larry Barthlow, the elite athlete director, at (617) 438-8098 or larry@worldeventsnetwork.com.

TD Bank Beach to Beacon Showcase Event for Maine Runners

The elite distance runners from around the world who come to Cape Elizabeth get much of the attention, but the growth and 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's road race champion.

Last year’s Maine champ, Ben True of North Yarmouth, shattered the course record but now lives out of state pursuing a professional career, leaving the door open for another top Maine runner to emerge.

Media Contact: Race President David Weatherbie, dweatherbie@seafax.com, (207) 771-4208, himself an avid, top-flight runner, can provide valuable insights into the stature of the race among Maine runners, and can help locate top runners for interviews.

Top Master’s 50 Runners Reunite

The TD Bank Beach to Beacon will feature some of the top Masters 50 (M50) runners in the U.S, including 54-year-old Tom Ryan of Cape Elizabeth – who in 2009 won two 5K USATF National Championships and was the third-ranked Masters 50 (M50) runner in the U.S. Joining him so far this year are Steve Chantry, 55, of Williamsburg, Va., an eight-time U.S. Track & Field national champ and two-time World Indoor track champion; David Cannon, 54, of Seattle, Wash., a two-time World Indoor track champion and USATF National champ at several distances; Norm Larson, 54, of Burlington, Vt., two-time M50 age-group winner at the TD Bank Beach to Beacon and member of the 2009 USATF 10K Cross Country National Championship team, 2008 USATF over 50 runner of the year, and current leader in the USATFNE M50 Grand Prix series along with Cross Country National Champion teammate Kevin McMahon, 56, of Essex Junction, Vt.

Find out what motivates these guys to train and perform, year after year, at such high levels. And if running isn't enough, Tom Ryan and David Cannon have launched a new application within Facebook for runners to find running partners, either near where they live, where they might be traveling to, or at large races. It is called PacePal, and it helps you find suitable running partners based on pace and proximity to where you want to run.

Media Contact: Tom Ryan - during the day at (207) 688-4339 or Dave Weatherbie, race president, at (207) 773-3533 ext 4016.

Volunteer Effort

The volunteer effort necessary to make TD Bank 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 Bank Beach to Beacon was getting Dave McGillivray on board to direct the event. McGillivray, who was named a “Hero of Running” by Runner’s World magazine and recently won the lifetime achievement Fleet Feet award, 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 Bank Beach to Beacon happen. He also directs the BAA Boston Marathon and a number of other race events throughout the U.S. and overseas.

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. In fact, McGillivray and his DMSE events have raised more than $50 million for charities over the years.

Another story idea may be the race set up conducted during the week of the race. Team DMSE professionals transform Fort Williams into a major international running event. From the Start Line Painting the Sunday before the race, to the tent and fencing set up at the chute at Portland Headlight to signage, press trucks and the Medical Tent, the race set up is a class act and a potential photo spread or visual news story. We can help you obtain access and arrange interviews.

Media Contact: Dave McGillivray, president, DMSE Sports, LLC, (978) 258-8226 or dmse@dmsesports.com.

Kids Fun Run on Friday Night Before the Race

The children’s 1K race – touted as the Kids Fun Run – will complement the TD Bank Beach to Beacon the evening before the race. Open to children 12 and under, the event will be held in Fort Williams Park at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6. The races will be run in heats according to age. Refreshments and finishing prizes will be handed out after the races.

Media Contact: Race President David Weatherbie – dweatherbie@seafax.com – or (207) 773-3533 ext 4016.

Past Race Beneficiaries – A Gift that Keeps On Giving

Getting named the beneficiary of the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is a great help to Maine’s non-profit community – and it doesn’t end on race day. Each beneficiary receives a $30,000 donation from the TD Charitable Foundation in addition to the publicity and prestige that goes with the title. But this is a gift that keeps on giving.

Another story idea might include talking with some past beneficiaries about how the race did and continues to benefit their non-profit organizations. Many past beneficiaries have continued their involvement with the race and raise funds each year through bib numbers provided by 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, and Alan Cartwright, Susan L. Curtis Foundation, 207-774-1552; are ready and willing to talk about the race and its impact.

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 the field of 6,000 runners and thousands of spectators line the streets of this coastal town.

Media Contact: 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, past results, statistics, news releases, a course map and other race materials are available at www.wolfenews.com under the race logo. Thanks!

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