Registration Fills in Record Time for Popular Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race on Aug. 1

Runners who missed out may still get in by participating in fundraising through local charities

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine – Registration for this year’s Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is now closed, breaking last year’s record as the earliest the popular international race has filled.

The field of 5,000 is now complete for the seventh annual event, set for Sunday, August 1, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

“The interest in this race continues to grow and grow, judging by how quickly it fills up each year,” said David Weatherbie of Cape Elizabeth, president of the race. “I think it’s a testament to the organizers and the volunteers who make this such a special event that runners want to return to again and again.”

But those who missed out may still have an opportunity to participate. Riding To The Top (RTT), the 2004 race beneficiary, has a small supply of paid places in the race for anyone willing to do some fundraising in exchange for a free registration. For more info, call (207) 892-2813. Two other charitable organizations – Kids First Center (207) 761-2709 and Big Brothers, Big Sisters (207) 773-5437 – are offering a similar opportunity.

The Peoples Beach to Beacon, begun in 1998, has become one of the marquee events in the international road race circuit, attracting elite athletes from throughout the world to Maine.

Peoples sponsors the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic gold medallist and Maine’s most recognizable athlete. The race begins at Crescent Beach along Route 77 and ends 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams at Portland Head, the most photographed lighthouse in America.

The Sunday running of the 2004 race marks a break from the race’s traditional first Saturday in August schedule, which has been in place since its inception in 1998.

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 information, including volunteer opportunities, visit the race web site at www.beach2beacon.org or call the toll-free hotline at (888) 480-6940.

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