Peoples Announces Beach to Beacon Field Expansion, 2002 Date

Opportunity Farm Chosen as Youth Beneficiary

PORTLAND, Maine (January 30, 2002) -- Peoples Heritage Bank announced today that the field size of the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10k Road Race will increase to 5,000 runners in celebration of the 5th anniversary of the popular race on August 3 along the picturesque shores of Maine's rocky coast in Cape Elizabeth.

The bank also announced this year's beneficiary would be Opportunity Farm, a long-term, family-style, residential facility in New Gloucester for at-risk Maine youth. Founded in 1910, the farm provides a one-of-a-kind, structured program for boys, emphasizing accountability and responsibility. This spring, Opportunity Farm will break ground on a separate campus for at-risk girls, a major expansion that happens to coincide with its selection as the race beneficiary.

"We're just thrilled to be a part of this world-renowned event," said Ronald J. Scott, president of Opportunity Farm. "This is an exciting time for us as we embark on a new challenge of providing our unique early intervention and prevention services to girls in need. We are flattered that the Peoples Beach to Beacon folks have singled us out as a worthy program serving Maine youth."

Peoples Heritage Bank will provide a cash donation of $30,000 from race proceeds. Additionally, Opportunity Farm will benefit from fundraising opportunities and publicity valued at more than $40,000.

This is the fifth year for the popular race, which last summer included more than 4,000 runners, elite athletes from all over the world and a course record in another exciting women's race. Catherine Ndereba of Kenya retained her crown for the fourth straight year and Evans Rutto of Kenya won the men's race. New champions also were crowned among Maine runners - Andy Spaulding of Freeport and Christine Snow-Reaser of Dayton.

Besides increasing the field size to 5,000 for the first time, Peoples Beach to Beacon race organizers are planning other ways to celebrate the 5th anniversary. Details of special events will be announced as they become available.

"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. "The organization we chose this year, Opportunity Farm, is providing a valuable and unique early intervention and prevention program for at-risk youth, catching them and helping them improve their lives before it's too late. We are pleased to be able to include them in our "Peoples Promise: Shining the Light for Maine Youth" program."

The Peoples Beach to Beacon 10k Road Race was founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist and two-time Boston Marathon champion from Maine. Samuelson serves as a spokesperson for the bank during the year to promote the race and the bank's "Peoples Promise" program, which benefits Maine youth with scholarships, sponsorship programs and charitable gifts.

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, who also directs the Boston Marathon, was recently named the race director for the 2004 Olympic Women's Marathon Trials in St. Louis.

"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.

For additional information, visit the race web site at http://www.beach2beacon.org or the bank's web site at http://www.peoplesheritage.com.

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