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

Runners may also register online at www.beach2beacon.org

Printed registration forms for runners entering the fifth annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race on August 3 in Cape Elizabeth are now available at the more than 60 Peoples Heritage Bank branches statewide.

Race organizers also are encouraging runners to register at the race's newly redesigned and updated web site, www.beach2beacon.org.

The field size for the 2002 Peoples Beach to Beacon has been expanded to 5,000 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the popular road race. But even with an expanded field, early registration is suggested to ensure a place at the starting line in August.

The scenic course will be the same as last year, beginning at Crescent Beach along Route 77 and ending 6.2 miles later at the Portland Headlight lighthouse at Fort Williams Park. The event also features a wheelchair division and a children's 1K race.

The race, which draws the world's top elite runners and the best in New England, was founded by Peoples Heritage Bank and Joan Benoit Samuelson, a Mainer and running legend whom in 1984 won the gold medal in the first Olympic marathon for women.

In addition to Peoples, other major corporate partners this year include US Airways, the official airline of the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K, UnumProvident Corp., Nike, Poland Spring, MBNA and WCSH TV-6, which will have live cut-ins of the start and finish and air a half hour show on the night of the race.

The youth organization chosen by the bank as the 2002 race beneficiary is Opportunity Farm, a long-term, family-style facility in rural New Gloucester, Maine, for at risk boys and girls. Opportunity Farm will receive a $30,000 cash donation from Peoples and will further benefit from fundraising and publicity valued at more than $40,000.

For additional information or entry forms for the race, or to find out more about volunteer opportunities, persons may visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or call the toll-free hotline at (888) 480-6940.
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