Peoples Beach to Beacon 1999 Winner Khalid Khannouchi to Return to Popular Maine Race August 5

World record holder in men's marathon says the Peoples 10K is his next race

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine -- Khalid Khannouchi, one of the world's top distance runners and last year's winner of the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race, will return this year to defend his title against other elite runners from around the world.

Morocco-born Khannouchi, who obtained U.S. citizenship last month, has decided not to compete in the 10,000 meters at next month's U.S. Olympic Track & Field trials and will instead focus on healing ankle and hamstring injuries, according to race organizers at Peoples Heritage Bank. This will be the third year for the internationally known race, which will be held August 5 in coastal Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Khannouchi set a record in last year's Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K with a time of 27:48. He broke away in the latter portion of the 6.2 mile race to finish 31 seconds ahead of runner-up Joseph Kimani of Kenya. This year's race, which will again be limited to 4,000 runners, also brings some 6,000 spectators who line the scenic course that hugs the ocean and ends at the historic Portland Headlight.

Kimani, who holds the world's 10K record at 27:04, has already confirmed that he will return to challenge Khannouchi. In the women's division, Marian Sutton of Great Britain, a two-time Chicago Marathon champion, will compete against the other elite runners expected in the race.

Khannouchi, who holds the world record in the marathon, had hoped to compete for the United States in the Olympics in Sydney. But injuries suffered during the London Marathon in April caused him to miss the U.S. Olympic marathon trials. In a published report Wednesday, he indicated he would bypass the upcoming 10,000 meter trials and not resume racing until the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K.

"We're extremely excited that Khalid has decided that the Peoples Beach to Beacon will mark his return to competitive racing," said Meg Dempsey, vice president and director of public affairs at Peoples Heritage Bank and the bank's lead organizer of the race. "He is a great runner, a great person and a great addition to the event."

Registration for the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K is quickly filling up. So far, more than 3,500 participants have applied this year by either online registration through the bank's website at www.peoplesheritage.com or by mail. Peoples Heritage Bank, the state's largest bank, sponsors 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 youths in Maine.

Host families and volunteers are still needed for the popular race. Persons interested in volunteering can also obtain a volunteer form through the bank's website at peoplesheritage.com.

The race director for the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is Dave McGillivray, who serves as the Technical Director of the BAA Boston Marathon and also organized the previous two years of what has quickly become New England's premier road race.

In addition to Peoples Heritage Bank, other major sponsors this year include Nike, Poland Spring, MBNA, American Airlines and WCSH TV-6, which will air a half hour special at 7 p.m. the night of the race.

The youth organization chosen by the bank this year to be the race beneficiary is Turning Point Farm, a long-term home for children ages six to 11 that will open in early July. Set on an idyllic 12-acre, 16-room farmhouse off Route 100 in New Gloucester, Turning Point Farm will be a home for young boys and girls who have been abused or neglected and are in the care of the Maine Department of Human Services. It was founded by Nancy Rochat, who will serve as the director. As this year's race beneficiary, the farm will receive $30,000. Last year, the race beneficiary was Camp Sunshine, and the first year of the race it was Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

For additional information on the race, or to find out more about volunteer opportunities, call the race hotline toll free at 1-888-480-6940 or log on to the Peoples Heritage Bank website, www.peoplesheritage.com.

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Note to reporters/editors: To view prior press releases and
background information about the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race, log on to www.wolfenews.com.