Popular TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race Filling Fast

Entry forms in TD Banknorth Maine branches

The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is filling up faster than ever this year, and runners are urged to act quickly or risk missing out on the August 5 race.

Less than four weeks into registration, as of April 10, more than 4,200 runners had signed up for the popular road race – a record pace. Even with an expanded field of 5,500 for the 2006 race, organizers predict registration will close before the end of April – or sooner.


“The high interest in this event continues to astound, so we really want to urge anyone who wants 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.

Now in its ninth year, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon is one of the country’s marquee road races, drawing the world’s top elite runners and the best in New England. Last year’s field included runners from 20 countries and 42 states. Thousands of spectators line the course to cheer the runners, and more than 700 volunteers help ensure a smooth operation. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please call the race hotline toll free at (888) 480-6940.

Also, more than 300 have registered so far for the Kids Fun Run, which typically attracts about 500 youngsters, said Julie McQuillan, the manager of public affairs at TD Banknorth, the title sponsor for the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic gold medalist and Maine’s most recognizable athlete.

In addition to TD Banknorth, other major corporate partners this year include Nike, Hannaford, Anthem, Poland Spring, WCSH TV-6, and Northeast Delta Dental.

In recognition of the support shown by the town of Cape Elizabeth and in keeping with a focus on youth, the race beneficiary for this year’s race is the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF), a non-profit organization that enriches learning for Cape youth by funding innovative projects. CEEF also works to serve as a resource in helping other Maine towns interested in starting education foundations. TD Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000. For more information about CEEF, visit www.capeeducationfoundation.org.

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