Parking and Logistics Outlined for TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K August 6 in Cape Elizabeth

Runner's Clinic with elite athletes set for Aug. 5

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine – With race day fast approaching, organizers have outlined parking, road closings and other new developments for the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K on Saturday, August 6, at 8 a.m.

Road Closings: On race day, the following roads will be closed:
-- Route 77, from Sprague Hall to Kettle Cove Road will be closed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-- Route 77, from Kettle Cove Road to Old Ocean House Road, closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-- Crescent Beach State Park will be closed from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
-- Route 77, at Hillway, closed 7:30 to 10 a.m.
-- Old Ocean House Road (all), closed 7:30 to 10 a.m.
-- Shore Road (all) from Key Bank to Fort Williams, closed 7:30 to 11 a.m.
-- Shore Road at the Post Office, closed 7:30 to 11 a.m.
-- All of Fowler Road (except shuttle buses) will be closed from 7:15 to 10 a.m.

Runner’s Clinic: Back by popular demand will be a runner’s clinic featuring elite athletes with Joan Benoit Samuelson from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5 at the Cape Elizabeth High School.

Runner Info: Registration and chip packet pickup for confirmed runners will take place on Thursday, Aug. 4, 4 to 8 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 5, 2 to 8 p.m. at the Cape Elizabeth Middle School. At registration, runners will receive bib numbers and ChampionChip to time and score the race. The event features an expo of products and services provided and presented by a variety of vendors.

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.

There is no parking for runners at the finish line at Fort Williams, which will be restricted parking for media, sponsors, staff and 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.

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. Signage will direct people to the appropriate drop off zone.

Other important info:

* Kids Fun Run – The Kids Fun Run will take place at approximately 9:15 a.m., earlier than last year, on the Parade Ground at Fort Williams. Kids’ races will be run in heats according to age.
* Awards Ceremony – The formal awards ceremony will begin promptly at 10 a.m. at Fort Williams at the top of the flagpole hill.
* Hannaford Pasta Party – Hannaford is sponsoring a pasta dinner the night before the race on Friday, Aug. 5, between 5 and 8 p.m. at Cape Elizabeth High School. Cost is $8 per ticket. Tickets are available at the pasta party booth that will be set up during runner registration.
* Post Race BBQ – An ‘All-American Outdoor BBQ’ will be offered by Fuddruckers Restaurant following the race at Fort Williams. Tickets will be available at runner registration.

The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon attracts more than 800 volunteers and brings out an extraordinary effort on the part of the town of Cape Elizabeth. TD Banknorth is the lead sponsor of the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, a running legend who won the first Olympic women’s marathon. She serves as a spokesperson for the bank’s “Shining the Light for Maine Youth” program.

In addition to TD Banknorth, other major corporate partners include Nike, Hannaford, Poland Spring, US Airways, Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare, WCSH TV-6, and Northeast Delta Dental.

The race beneficiary for this year’s race is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland and Auburn/Lewiston, a non-profit youth development organization that provides programs, activities and a nurturing environment to thousands of children in Maine. TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs. Visit the organization’s web site at www.bgcmaine.org.

For additional info about the race, visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please call the race hotline toll free at (888) 480-6940.

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