A FIELD of 5,500 runners will take part Saturday in the 11th annual TD Banknorth 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 Banknorth, through the TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to The Susan L. Curtis Foundation -- a nonprofit organization with a mission to build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of economically disadvantaged Maine children through the provision of tuition-free, high-quality camping, educational and social experiences. Each year Camp Susan Curtis, located in Stoneham, hosts over 650 Maine children in need. The foundation was founded in 1971 and named for the daughter of former Gov. Ken Curtis and his wife, Pauline, after Susan's death from cystic fibrosis. For more information click here.

KIDS' FUN RUN: Children's 1K races will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the Parade Ground 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 includes the bib number, ChampionChip and T-shirt -- from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. today. Because of the early start time, runners are encouraged to pick up their packets beforehand. If you cannot pick it up today, 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. At Cumberland Farms, turn right onto Scott Dyer Road, then left to Cape Elizabeth Middle 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....
  pages: 1 | 2 | next page >>
  Copyright 2009 by The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved.

  
  Reader comments
  Click here to view or add comments on this story
  
  Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form