Parking and Logistics Outlined for Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race August 2 in Cape Elizabeth

Post-race layout at Fort Williams changed to improve flow and reduce congestion for runners, spectator

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine - With 5,000 runners and more than 10,000 spectators, the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is unlike any other Maine sporting event in size and scope. And that requires extraordinary attention to parking and logistics to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.

Race organizers this year have made key changes to the post-race layout at Fort Williams as a way to improve the flow of runners and spectators, reduce congestion at the finish line, and make better use of available space.

Specific layout changes include: moving the chip collection and water areas from the immediate finish area to the upper field, and relocating the awards ceremony, food and refreshment area, results board and the runner expo to the lower field, known as the Parade Ground. The Young Peoples Run will now share that lower field space. The family meeting area and the shuttle bus locations will remain the same.

The following is other information that spectators and runners may find useful as they prepare for race day on August 2:

On race day, Route 77 from Sprague Hall to Kettle Cove Road will close at 6 a.m. Fowler Road will close at 7:15 a.m. Both will reopen at 11 a.m. All other roads connected to the race course will close at 7:30 a.m. and remain closed until 10 a.m. Shore Road, from Key Bank to Fort Williams, will reopen at 11 a.m. All reopen times are approximate, based on when the race is completed.

Runners are required to be at the start line by 7:30 a.m. The race begins on Route 77, near Crescent Beach State Park, and heads into Cape Elizabeth. Runners eventually turn right onto Old Ocean House Road, and later return to Route 77 before turning right onto Shore Road, where the course winds more, passing scenic ocean vistas.

Runners then enter Fort Williams Park at the Old Gate and reach the finish line with a panoramic view of Casco Bay and the stunning Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in America.

Runner parking near the start line will be provided at the Sprague Fields located at Fowler and Ram Island Farm roads. Parking for runners also is available at Cape Elizabeth's high school and middle school on a first-come basis. Runners will be shuttled from the parking lots there to the start between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. Please look for signs providing directions. Carpooling and shuttling is recommended.

Race organizers also encourage runners to arrive by 6:30 a.m. to avoid heavy traffic. Roadside parking is not allowed. Also, race organizers are encouraging runners to be dropped off at Gull Crest Fields on Spurwink Avenue, just a short distance from Route 77 and the start line. The parking lots at the Spurwink Church, located at the intersection of Route 77 and Spurwink, will be closed on race day for weddings later that afternoon. Signage will direct people to the appropriate drop off zone.

There is no parking for runners at the finish line at Fort Williams, which will be restricted parking for media, sponsors, staff and a limited number of spectators, who are advised to carpool and to arrive prior to 7:30 a.m. Shuttle buses, which will operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be provided to take runners back to the start area and to the school parking lots.

Also, packet pickup for confirmed runners will take place on Thursday, July 31 (4-8 p.m.) and on Friday, August 1 (2-8 p.m.) at the Cape Elizabeth Middle School. At registration, runners will receive their bib number and ChampionChip to time and score the race. The event also features an expo of products and services provided and presented by a variety of vendors. Merchandise also will be for sale on the lower field at Fort Williams on race day. Cash and checks will be accepted.

The Peoples Beach to Beacon attracts more than 700 volunteers and brings out an extraordinary effort on the part of the town of Cape Elizabeth. Peoples Heritage Bank, the state's largest bank, is the lead sponsor and coordinates the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson of Maine, a running legend who won the first Olympic women's marathon. She serves as a spokesperson for the bank's "Peoples Promise" program for youth in Maine.

In addition to Peoples, other major corporate partners this year include Nike, UnumProvident Corp., Poland Spring, Hannaford and WCSH TV-6.

The youth organization chosen by the bank to be the race beneficiary is Seeds of Peace, a group that promotes tolerance and understanding among youth around the world through its various camps, including one in Otisfield, Maine. 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.

For additional information, including volunteer opportunities, visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or call the toll-free hotline at (888) 480-6940.

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