U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist Meb Keflezighi Joins World's Finest at TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K

Top elite field takes shape as prestigious Cape Elizabeth, Maine, road race draws near

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine - Some of the brightest stars in the elite runner universe – including U.S. Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi – have aligned for the upcoming TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K.

‘Meb’, the U.S. record holder at 10,000m, will challenge returning champ Thomas Nyariki and three-time champ Gilbert Okari, the course record holder. The women’s field is perhaps the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon’s deepest and most talented ever.

The group of 30 world-class athletes will be joined by the best in Maine and New England and thousands of recreational runners on Saturday, August 4 in scenic Cape Elizabeth, Maine for the 10th running of one of the marquee events on the international road race circuit.

“Getting someone like Meb really adds another layer of interest and excitement for the fans,” said Larry Barthlow, the race’s elite athlete coordinator. “But he obviously has his work cut out for him with Gilbert Okari determined to get his title back. And the really interesting thing about the women’s field is you have five or six ladies who are serious contenders. It could be anyone’s race.”

Meb surprised the running world with a silver medal in the marathon at the 2004 Athens Games, then followed that up with a second-place finish at the NYC Marathon to establish himself as the U.S.’s premier distance runner and certainly its most popular. He finished third at the 2006 Boston Marathon.

He will face a stellar field on August 4, led by Okari, who is determined to re-claim the crown he held for three straight years before a tight hamstring prevented him from pushing Nyariki in 2006. The two Kenyans also will be challenged by fellow Kenyans Duncan Kibet, currently ranked #5 in the world by Running Times magazine, and Evans Cheryiout, ranked #15. Plus, Kenya’s Simon Ndirangu, who won the Crazy 8’s 8K last weekend, should be in the mix.

On the women’s side, 2006 champ Alevtina Ivanova had a scheduling conflict and could not defend her title. But Edna Kipligat of Kenya, who finished 2nd last year and is currently ranked #2 in the world, is back and would be considered the strong favorite if not for all the talented women around her.

Kenya’s Susan Chepkemei, who won in 2004, missed the race due to visa issues in 2005 and then finished a disappointing 4th last year, has something to prove. Wude Ayelew of Ethiopia is coming off a huge win at the Peachtree 10K earlier this month. Alice Timbli of Kenya finished just behind Ayelew at Peachtree and also placed second at the Utica Boilermaker 15K last weekend.

Also expected to contend are Luminita Talpos of Romania, who finished 3rd last year and is having a strong 2007 season; Kathy Butler, a 2004 Olympian from Great Britain; and Elva Dryer, a U.S. Olympian currently ranked in the top 50 in the world. And keep an eye on Genet Getanceh of Ethiopia, an unknown on U.S. soil who recently shattered her course record with a 31:45 in winning the Great Ethiopian Run 10K.

The ocean-hugging course begins at Crescent Beach along Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth and ends 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams Park at Portland Head, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

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. A $2,500 bonus also is available for any runner who breaks an open course record.

TD Banknorth sponsors the race founded by Joan Benoit Samuelson, the Olympic gold medalist and Maine’s most admired 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.

This year’s race beneficiary is STRIVE, a South Portland-based non-profit organization that serves developmentally disabled youth. For more info, visit www.pslstrive.org.

In addition to TD Banknorth, other major corporate partners this year include Nike, Hannaford, Anthem, Poland Spring, WCSH TV-6, Northeast Delta Dental and MaineHealth. For additional info about the race, visit www.beach2beacon.org or call the race hotline at (888) 480-6940.

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