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CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (04-Aug) -- When the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10-K steps off tomorrow morning here, it will be the ninth time that the race founded by Olympic gold medalist Joan Samuelson will be run. Sold out at 6000 entrants, the race has become not only a significant fixture on the USA road racing calendar, but an important expression of this community's identity.
"It's hard to believe it's been nine nears, but here we are again," said David Weatherbie, who heads the committee which organizes the race. "Cape Elizabeth really embraces this event."
From hosting all of the athletes and VIP's in private homes, to the traditional New England lobster bake held after the race where all of the food and even the estate where it is held is donated, Cape Elizabeth sees this event as a reflection of itself: welcoming, caring and philanthropic. This well-groomed suburb of Portland is the childhood home of Samuelson, where she ran as Joan Benoit, before going to Bowdoin College and eventually on to Olympic gold medal fame. Samuelson, who now lives in nearby Freeport, is clearly the soul of the event, it's driving force.
"There needs to be a ligntning rod," said race director Dave McGillivray of Samuelson. "There needs to be a spark."
It was a decade ago that Samuelson went to Bill Ryan at Peoples Heritage Bank, which has since become a part of TD Banknorth, with an idea for a road race. It would have an elite field, of course, but it would also be an important community event. Each year the race would name an official charity and TD Banknorth would make a sizable donation. To this day, over $250,000 has been raised, according to Weatherbie.
The race would also raise the public's awareness of healthy living, which means regular exercise. "It's not just a bunch of people running down the street," explained McGillivray. "It's not the competition. It's the participation."
Samuelson's own family will be running, including husband Scott, daughter Abigail and son Anders. She also has three brothers who will be running, despite some injuries, including Peter Benoit who has come all the way from Alaska. "It runs in the blood, no pun intended," said Samuelson.
At the head of the race, the six-foot, two-inch Kenyan Gilbert Okari will be trying to beat a clutch of his countrymen, including John Korir, William Chebon Chebor, Tom Nyariki, Luke Kipkosgei and the winner of last week's Bix 7, Lawrence Kiprotich, a younger brother of top marathoner, Martin Lel. Okari, the course record holder, is trying to win here for the fourth time in a row, and he was tight-lipped about his chances tomorrow.
"Normally, we don't talk about secrets," he said regarding his race strategy. He did agree that his knowledge of the course, including the unusual, twisting last 800 meters, would be an advantage. "I know it very well," he said of the finish with a knowing smile.
Elite athlete coordinator Larry Barthlow didn't think that Okari would have an easy time pocketing the winner's $10,000 check. "I think we're going to have an incredible battle up front," he said.
The top woman in the field, Susan Chepkemei of Kenya, did not arrive to the Portland airport until after 1:00 this morning, and was absent from this morning's press conference. "At 1:15 the phone rang," explained Samuelson who was in bed at the time. "It was Susan." She dispatched husband Scott to pick her up.
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