Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Entry Forms Now Available at Peoples Branches Statewide

With race filling quickly, runners urged to act soon

Printed registration forms for runners entering the seventh annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race on Sunday, August 1 in Cape Elizabeth are now available at the more than 60 Peoples Heritage Bank branches statewide.

Race organizers are encouraging those who have not yet registered but want to participate to act quickly to ensure a spot at the starting line in August for the popular international event.

With the field limited to 5,000 runners, almost 3,500 to date have registered online at the race's web site, www.beach2beacon.org. That number is slightly ahead of the pace last year, when the race filled up by mid-June.

“With the tremendous response so far, we really want to urge anyone who intends to participate to fill out an entry form as soon as they can,” said Dave Weatherbie, president of the race that begins at Crescent Beach along Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth and ends 6.2 miles later at the Portland Head lighthouse at Fort Williams Park. The race draws the world’s top elite runners and the best in New England.

Also, 273 are registered so far for the children’s 1K race, which typically attracts about 500 youngsters, said Julie McQuillan, the manager of public affairs at Peoples Heritage Bank. Peoples sponsors 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 youth in Maine.

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

The race beneficiary for this year’s race is Riding To The Top (RTT), a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding services to children and adults with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities. Peoples, through the Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to Riding To The Top. Visit the organization’s web site at www.ridingtothetop.org.

For additional info about the race, visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or the bank’s web site at www.peoplesheritage.com. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please call the race hotline toll free at (888) 480-6940. Also new this year, volunteer registration is available online. Printed volunteer registration forms also are available at Peoples Heritage Bank branches.
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