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Top Headlines

For Immediate Release
July 6, 2005

Contact:
Larry Barthlow, Elite Athlete Coordinator
(617) 438-8098
E-mail: jason@wolfenews.com

Jason Wolfe
(207) 883-6083

Web Site: http://www.beach2beacon.org

Reigning Champs Returning to Defend Titles in TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K on August 6

Stellar elite field taking shape as prestigious Cape Elizabeth, Maine, road race draws near

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine - The upcoming 2005 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race will feature both returning champs – Kenyans Gilbert Okari, who will be seeking his third straight title, and Susan Chepkemei, who narrowly missed the course record a year ago.

The reigning champs will be hard-pressed to defend their titles against what is shaping up to be a deep and talented field of world-class road racers, said Larry Barthlow, the elite athlete coordinator for the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon.

“We’ve seen a blazing race on the men’s side the past few years and that should continue with another group of guys ready to run sub 28s,” Barthlow said. “And on the women’s side, Susan isn’t going to be able to run away from field like she did last year.”

Barthlow is assembling a field of 30 elite athletes to toe the line with nearly 5,000 other runners from Maine, New England and around the world on Saturday, Aug. 6, for the 8th running of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K, formerly the Peoples Beach to Beacon.

Begun in 1998, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon is one of the marquee events on the international road race circuit. The ocean-hugging course begins at Crescent Beach along Route 77 and ends 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams Park at Portland Head, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

In each of the past two years, Okari’s winning time in the men’s race – including a course record 27:28 in 2003 – has given the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon the distinction as the fastest road race in the world. That streak may continue.

Last year, the long-legged Kenyan’s time of 27:35 was one of four sub-28:00s, almost unheard of on the international road race circuit. Two runners who challenged him a year ago, fellow Kenyans Thomas Kiplitan (27:39 in 2004) and Wilson Kiprotich (27:53) are returning.

Add to that mix Running Times’ current top-ranked road racer in the world – John Korir of Kenya. Also, Kenyan Evans Rutto, the 2001 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon champ, has expressed a strong interest in returning this year, but is not yet confirmed.

“These guys are going to burn it up,” Barthlow said. “John Korir was a top contender here last year but withdrew due to an injury. He’s back and is as strong as ever and will give Gilbert all he can handle.”

On the women’s side, Chepkemei (31:35) dominated the field last year and remains among the top-ranked women in the world. She was the runner up in the 2004 New York Marathon.

Both of her main Beach to Beacon challengers – Japan’s Masako Chiba (31:51) and Alvetina Ivanova of Russia (31:56) – are returning. Yoshiko Hashimoto of Japan, the 2005 Berlin Marathon champ, also should contend.

But perhaps Chepkemei’s biggest obstacle is rival Lornah Kipligat of Holland, who has won a number of major road races this year, including the July 4 Peachtree 10K in a blazing 31:17.

Chepkemei was the two-time defending champ at Peachtree, but could not participate due to visa problems. John Korir also was not granted a visa and could not compete. Those problems are expected to be resolved prior to the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon, Barthlow said.

“I’m sure Susan was disappointed not to be able to defend at Peachtree and will be anxious to compete against Lornah in our race,” Barthlow said. “They’ve got a real strong rivalry going and that should make for a great race.”

The elite field assembled so far includes runners from 11 different countries, including Lithuania, Ethiopia and New Zealand. Prize money for the winner of the men’s and women’s races is $10,000. In all, nearly $60,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top finishers and place winners in the various categories for men and women.

Also, as an added incentive, new this year is a $2,500 bonus for any runner who breaks an open course record.

TD Banknorth sponsors the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic gold medallist and Maine’s most recognizable athlete.

The race director is Dave McGillivray, president of DMSE, Inc., a nationally recognized event management company. McGillivray also serves as the race director of the BAA Boston Marathon.

In addition to TD Banknorth, other major corporate partners 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. TD Banknorth, through the TD 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. To find out more about volunteer opportunities, please call the race hotline toll free at (888) 480-6940.


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