Popular Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race Filling Fast; Runners Urged to Act Soon

Entry forms now in Peoples branches statewide

With the eighth annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race still three months away, fewer than 700 spots remain for the popular international event set for Saturday, August 6 in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

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. With the field limited to 5,000 runners, the race is expected to fill again in record time, perhaps as soon as sometime in May.

As of May 2, 4,055 runners had registered, a number that is well ahead of last year’s record pace. The vast majority of runners now register online at www.beach2beacon.org. Also, printed registration forms for runners are now available at the more than 60 Peoples Heritage Bank branches statewide.

“The response to this event continues to be tremendous, so we really want to urge anyone who intends to participate to fill out an entry form as soon as they can,” said David Weatherbie, president of the race that begins near 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, 371 already are registered 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 is the title sponsor for 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, 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. Peoples, through the 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 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.
# # #