A FIELD of 6,100 runners will take part Saturday in the 13th annual TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K at Cape Elizabeth. Here are some important facts and tips to remember:
RACE FOUNDER
Joan Benoit Samuelson, Cape Elizabeth native and 1984 Olympic marathon gold medalist
RACE MANAGEMENT
Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises, Inc. (DMSE)
RACE CHARITY
TD Bank, through its charitable foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to Junior Achievement of Maine, a non-profit organization providing economic education programs that help inspire Maine children to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviors of success in a global economy. Offered in more than 100 schools across the state, JA programs reached almost 9,000 Maine students in 2009. Through JA classroom programs and job shadow experiences, JA of Maine brings volunteers from the community face to face with students to make economic concepts relevant, to raise aspirations, and to challenge the students to excel. For more information, visit jamaine.org.
KIDS’ FUN RUN
Children’s 1K races will be held at 6 p.m. Friday on the soccer field at Fort Williams. Kids’ races will be run in heats according to age.
ROAD CLOSINGS
Route 77: Sprague Hall to Kettle Cove Road (closed 6-10 a.m.)
Route 77: Kettle Cove Road to Old Ocean House Road (7:30-10 a.m.)
Route 77: at Hillway (7:30-10 a.m.)
Crescent Beach State Park (7:30-8:30 a.m.)
Old Ocean House Road (7:30-10 a.m.)
Shore Road, from Key Bank to Fort Williams (7:30-11 a.m.)
Shore Road at post office (7:30-11 a.m.)
All of Fowler Road, except shuttle buses (7:15-10 a.m.)
Scott Dyer Road, eastbound (7:15-8 a.m.)
PACKET PICKUP
Confirmed runners can visit the race expo and pick up packets – which include the bib number, chip and T-shirt – from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday or 2:30 to 8 p.m. Friday. Because of the early start time, runners are encouraged to pick up their packets beforehand. If you cannot pick it up before Saturday, you can write a note and have a friend pick it up for you. If there is no way to get your packet before Saturday, you should call race officials at 828-7084 to make arrangements to pick up your number and chip at Sprague Hall near the starting line between 6:30-7:30 a.m. on race day. This will be done on a very limited basis.
DIRECTIONS TO PACKET PICKUP
FROM THE SOUTH: Take I-95 North to Exit 44 (I-295). Follow to Exit 6A (Forest Avenue South) and bear right before first traffic light through Deering Oaks. Follow signs for Route 77 South. Proceed straight up hill and follow to Casco Bay Bridge. Cross bridge to Route 77 South toward Cape Elizabeth. Turn right at light after IGA to Cape Elizabeth High School.
FROM THE NORTH: Take 295 South to Exit 6A (Forest Avenue South), stay in right lane. Bear right at the next intersection before the first light into Deering Oaks Park. Follow signs for Route 77 South. Proceed straight up hill and follow all the way to the Casco Bay Bridge. Follow route as above.
DIRECTIONS TO START/PARKING
FROM THE SOUTH: Take I-95 to Exit 45, pass through toll booth to Route 1. Turn right (south) onto Route 1 for .6 miles to the second light. Turn left onto Pleasant Hill Road. Follow for 3.3 miles to Route 77. Turn left (north) onto Route 77 for two miles to Fowler Road, where you will be directed to the parking area.
FROM THE NORTH: Take Casco Bay Bridge to Route 77 South. Follow into Cape Elizabeth. Watch for and follow flaggers and signs at intersections along Route 77 for directions to start and Sprague Fields parking.
PARKING
Parking for runners will be at Sprague Fields, at Fowler and Ram Island Farm roads. Runners are encouraged to carpool and arrive early. There is no parking for runners at Fort Williams. Fort Williams parking will be restricted to sponsors, press, volunteers, staff and a limited number of spectators. Parking spaces will be available again this year at Cape Elizabeth High/Middle School on a first-come basis. Runners will be shuttled from the Middle School to the start between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. and the back to the start area and school parking lots from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DROP-OFF AREA
Runners can be dropped off at Gull Crest Fields on Spurwink Avenue, .5 miles from the Route 77 and Spurwink intersection (Spurwink Church).
BAGGAGE BUSES
There will be five baggage buses at the start. Plastic bags will be available for runners on race morning. Those bags will be tagged and transported to the finish area for pickup.
PARKING/SHUTTLE BUSES
At the end of the race, shuttle buses will operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You must leave by 1 p.m. in order to catch a shuttle back to the start.
AT THE START
Poland Spring Water will be available at the start along Route 77 and at each water stop along the course. Portable toilets will be placed along Route 77 from the parking area to the start. Runners are asked to ‘’self-seed’’ according to skill level.
The AWARDS CEREMONY begins at 10 a.m. at Fort Williams, at the top of the flagpole hill.
CASH PRIZES
Awarded to the top 10 men and women in open race:
1. $10,000; 2. $5,000; 3. $3,000; 4. $2,000; 5. $1,000; 6. $900; 7. $800, 8. $700; 9. $600; 10. $500.
Awarded to top three male and female masters (40 and older):
1. $1,000; 2. $500; 3. $250.
Awarded to top three male and female wheelchair athletes:
1. $1,000; 2. $500; 3. $250.
Awarded to top five finishers among Maine men and women:
1. $1,000; 2. $500; 3. $250; 4. $200; 5. $100.
Awarded to top three male and female seniors (50 and older):
1. $500; 2. $250; 3. $100.
There are also course-record bonuses: $2,500 for open runners, $500 for Maine runners.
AGE-GROUP AWARDS
Awarded to the top five males and females in following divisions – 14-and-under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-and-over.
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