Saturday's Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in Cape Elizabeth to Showcase Top Runners in the World, New England and Maine

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine -- Now in its sixth year, Saturday's Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race has again attracted the top road racers in Maine, New England and around the globe to the picturesque course in Cape Elizabeth.

With 5,000 runners and upwards of 10,000 spectators, the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K has solidified its place as one of the most prestigious road races on the circuit, attracting top world-class athletes and filling up faster and faster each year.

This year, the international flavor of the event has taken on another dimension. The race charity, Seeds of Peace, promotes tolerance and understanding through its internationally recognized conflict-resolution program at a camp in Otisfield, Maine. A contingent of Seeds campers from the Mideast will run side by side during the race, while Israeli and Palestinian campers will hold the finish line tape.

"The success this event has enjoyed really is a testament to the hard work of all involved; the volunteers, the runners, the town of Cape Elizabeth, the race organizers, everyone who makes this happen," said Mike McNamara, president and CEO of Peoples Heritage Bank, the race's lead sponsor. "We're looking forward to another great race day."

Ndereba Seeks Fifth Women's Title; Koskei to Defend Title in Stellar Men's Field

The elite races for both the men and women are shaping up to be as competitive as ever. The intrigue centers on whether defending champ James Koskei of Kenya can overcome a top-heavy field and repeat - a task never completed on the men's side - and whether Kenya's Catherine Ndereba can reclaim her crown after winning four straight races before last year's third place finish.

Ndereba, one of the world's best road racers and a two-time Boston Marathon champ, last month ran this year's fastest half marathon in Japan and is coming off a victory at the Quad City Times Bix 7-Miler. "She's running great right now and I think she's on a mission to win here, where she holds the course record (31:34) and wants her title back," said Larry Barthlow, the elite race coordinator.

Obstacles in her way include two Romanians, Constantina Tomescu-Dita and Luminita Talpos, who finished just behind Ndereba last weekend. Also, Sally Barsosio, a former Kenyan Olympian, is a wildcard, returning to competitive racing recently after a lengthy absence. Elana Meyer of South Africa (third here in 2001) and Ludmila Petrova of Russia also could push the field.

On the men's side, the field includes four runners ranked in the top 15 in the world by Running Times magazine, included top ranked John Korir of Kenya, who has to be considered the race favorite. He won two prestigious races in July, the Utica Boilermaker 12K and the Bix 7-Miler and is in top form.

But Koskei, currently ranked 14th in the world, knows the course best, having finished as the runner up in 2001 as well. Other top challengers include Kenyans Paul Koech, ranked 6th in the world, and Gilbet Okari, ranked 8th. And don't forget Linus Maiyo of Kenya, who has posted road racing's fastest 8- and 10K times this year. Plus, a late addition, David Korir of Kenya, is coming off a big win last weekend at the hilly Greater Clarksburg 10K in West Virginia.

"You're going to see a really fast race," Barthlow said. "There are some guys who have rockets in their legs right now. It should be fun."

(Unofficial) Maine Road Race Champions to be Crowned

The Peoples Beach to Beacon is considered the jewel for Maine's top road racers and the winner each year wears the unofficial crown as the Maine Road Racing Champion.

In the men's race, two-time defending champion Andy Spaulding of Freeport is back to defend and should face strong competition from Todd Coffin, the 2000 champ, Michael Payson of Falmouth, who is running well, Bob Winn of Ogunquit, the course record holder (30:52) who won the first two Beach to Beacon Maine races, and Christian Muentener of Yarmouth, considered a rising star on the local racing scene.

Two-time champ Christine Snow-Reaser of Dayton is set to defend her title against a field of contenders that includes Jenna Richardson of China, Maggie Hanson of Bowdoinham and Suzanne Hussey of Old Town.

Sixth Year for Popular Race

This is the sixth year for the popular race, which was founded by Maine's largest bank, Peoples Heritage Bank, and Maine's most famous athlete, Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first Olympic women's marathon. The race director is Dave McGillivray, who also serves as race director for the world-renowned BAA Boston Marathon. Proceeds from this year's race will benefit Seeds of Peace, a group that promotes tolerance and understanding among youth around the world and in Maine.

In addition to Peoples, other major corporate partners this year include Nike, UnumProvident Corp., Poland Spring, Hannaford and WCSH TV-6, which will have live cut-ins of the start and finish and air a half-hour show on the night of the race. Also, WMTW News Radio (870 & 1470 AM/106.7 FM) will provide live coverage of the race.

The wheelchair entrants begin at 8 a.m. at the start line on Route 77 near Crescent Beach State Park and the race starts at 8:05. Prize money of $50,000 is awarded to the runners, including $7,500 for the winner, $5,000 for the second place winner and cash prizes for the top 10 finishers. Other cash awards go to the top men and women masters finishers, men and women wheelchair entrants and men and women from Maine. Also, age category winners will receive L.L. Bean gift certificates. For more information about the race, go to www.beach2beacon.org.

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