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Top Headlines

For Immediate Release
August 4, 2005

Contact:
Julie McQuillan
(207) 828-7558
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com

Beryl Wolfe
(207) 883--6083

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

Saturday’s TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K to Showcase Top Runners in the World, New England and Maine

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine – Saturday’s eighth annual TD Banknorth 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 – representing 16 countries and 41 U.S. states – and as many as 10,000 spectators, the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K is one of the most prestigious – and fastest – road races on the circuit, attracting top world-class athletes and filling up more quickly each year.

This year’s race has returned to its traditional first Saturday in August schedule with almost $60,000 in prize money at stake, including a $10,000 prize to the top man and woman.

For two years running, the winning time at the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon has been the fastest 10K road race time in the world. New this year, Northeast Delta Dental is sponsoring a $2,500 bonus for an open course record and $500 for a course record in the Maine category, providing added incentive for another blazing race.

The race beneficiary 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.

"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 Michael McNamara, president of TD Banknorth, Maine. "We're looking forward to another great race day."

Okari Seeks Third Straight Men’s Title; Strong Women’s Field Wide Open

The field of 30 elite athletes includes the returning men’s champ, Gilbert Okari, and other top names in the sport, including fellow Kenyan John Korir, who sits atop the current world rankings. And the names of two of the American elites should be familiar to local fans – Matt Lane and Jeff Gaudette, both former Maine high school standouts.

“It’s a strong group, very deep and talented,” said Larry Barthlow, the elite athlete coordinator. “And I think we’ve really rounded it out by adding a pair of top Americans with strong Maine connections. They have added another layer of interest.”

Gilbert Okari, the defending two-time champ, set the course record (27:28) in 2003. And the Kenyan’s winning time of 27:35 last year gave the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon the distinction as the fastest road race in the world for the second straight year. Okari, currently 4th on Running Times’ world rankings, is once again peaking heading into race day after sweeping the major road races in July - the Peachtree 10K, Utica Boilermaker 15K and Bix 7M. But he will face his stiffest competition yet when he arrives in Cape Elizabeth.

Kenyan John Korir, currently the top ranked road racer in the world, missed the 2004 race due to an injury and is anxious to take a shot against Okari. He has been the most consistently dominant road racer over the past six years, winning 27 major road races in that span – but never the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon.

Others expected to contend include Kenyans Wilson Kiprotich, who also ran a sub 28 in finishing fourth last year; Reuben Cheruiyot, who knows how to win big races; and William Chebon Chebor, who finished 3rd at Peachtree in July and is currently ranked 28th in the world. Also, James Koskei of Kenya, the 2002 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon champ, is returning after a one-year absence. Jon Brown of Great Britain, a 2004 Olympian, also is entered.

Americans Matt Lane and Jeff Gaudette may not contend for the title, but the two former Maine high school standouts are expected to make a good showing back on their home turf. Lane, 27, who now lives in Menlo Park, Calif., has developed into one of the best American road racers. He set the course record at the Clam Festival Classic 5-Miler (23:48) in his hometown of Yarmouth last month. Gaudette, who starred at Biddeford High School, just finished a stellar track career at Brown University, where he earned All-American honors.

On the women’s side, the withdrawal of defending champ Susan Chepkemei of Kenya due to ongoing visa issues means a new champ will be crowned. The favorite would appear to be Lornah Kipligat of Holland, who has won a number of major road races this year, including the Peachtree 10K in a blazing 31:17. (The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon course record is 31:34) Kipligat is currently ranked 7th in the world.

She will be challenged by Kenyans Sally Barsosio, who is fresh off a big win at the Utica Boilermaker 15K and second place finishes at Peachtree and Bix; Grace Momanyi, who has run sub 32:00 twice so far in 2005, and Rose Jepchumpa, the 22nd-ranked road racer in the world who won the 2005 Kenyan Cross Country Championship. Margaret Okayo of Kenya, who holds the course records at both the Boston Marathon and NYC Marathon, also is entered. Russia’s Alevetina Ivanova will use her experience in finishing third last year to make a run on Saturday.

Also, Tatiana Titova, a top Russian marathoner, will turn 40 on Saturday, which means the course record for master’s women (33:37) is officially in jeopardy. Titova has run 33:17 at 10K.

(Unofficial) Maine Road Race Champions to be Crowned

The TD Banknorth 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 women’s race, returning champ Susannah Beck, 37, of Sedgwick, an elite runner now living in her native Maine, is back in the race. Beck’s presence creates a huge obstacle for other contenders, including Suzanne Hussey, 24, of Alfred, Marjorie Graff, 37, of South Portland, and Kristin Barry, 31, of Scarborough. A potential wildcard is Emily LeVan, 32, of Wiscasset, who is entered and may run, although she is competing in the marathon World Championships the following weekend. She finished 2nd to Beck last year and is having a stellar 2005 season.

On the men’s side, Ethan Hemphill, 33, of Freeport, is back to defend his title against a strong field. He won the LL Bean 10K and looks to be in fine form. Last year, Hemphill (31:45) held off a challenge from Evan Graves, 23, of Bar Harbor (31:49) to claim his first TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon crown. Graves is back, as is Michael Payson, 42, of Falmouth, who finished third (31:53).

Others expected to battle for first include Judson Cake, 27, of Bar Harbor; Andy Spaulding, 34, of Freeport, a two-time champion; and Michael Lansing, 22, of Fryeburg, a recent University of Maine grad who was the Black Bears top distance runner the past two years.

And make room for the young stars. Eric Giddings, the surprise 2003 champ who just graduated from South Portland High School, is entered along with Portland High standouts Ayalew Taye and Sintayehu Taye. The trio electrified the Maine track scene this spring with a series of close, memorable distance races. With Giddings heading to Stanford and the Tayes moving to Massachusetts, this could be an interesting final chapter in their rivalry.

Eighth Year for Popular Race

This is the eighth year for the popular race, which was founded by Maine’s largest community bank, TD Banknorth, and Maine’s most famous athlete, Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first Olympic women’s marathon. She serves as a spokesperson for the bank’s “Shining the Light for Maine Youth” program. The race director is Dave McGillivray, who has organized every TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon. He also serves as the race director of the BAA Boston Marathon.

The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon attracts more than 800 volunteers and brings out an extraordinary effort on the part of the town of Cape Elizabeth. 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 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. The ocean-hugging course ends 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams Park at Portland Head, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

Prize money of more than $60,000 is awarded to the runners, including $10,000 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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