For Immediate Release : June 4, 2012
Contact: Maya Cohen, Volunteer Coordinator (207) 838-8816; Beryl Wolfe, Wolfe PR (520) 207-9581
beryl@wolfenews.com

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine ( June 4, 2012 ) – For those not running in the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, the best way to be a part of one of the country’s most beloved road races is to volunteer at the event.

This year marks the special 15th running of the race, making it the perfect time to join in the fun and be a part of the festivities for the Saturday, Aug. 4, race along the craggy shores of Cape Elizabeth, said Volunteer Coordinator Maya Cohen of Cape Elizabeth.

New and returning volunteers are encouraged to sign up soon at http://www.beach2beacon.org/volunteer to have access to the widest selection of openings.

“There’s a sense of satisfaction that our volunteers feel in knowing that they play such a key role in making this race the prestigious, well-run event that it is, year after year,” said Cohen. “We always need more volunteers and we’re always looking for new faces to get involved.”

Race organizers show their appreciation in a variety of ways. Volunteers receive a commemorative tech T-shirt and are invited to a party in a coastal Cape Elizabeth locale, organized exclusively for them.

Helping out also brings many volunteers close to the action and excitement, such as providing water to the elite runners, assisting with finish line security or helping organize the Kid’s Fun Run the night before the race.

The TD Beach to Beacon 10K needs more than 800 volunteers in total each year to ensure a smooth operation and help create the safe, festive atmosphere that makes the event so special for recreational runners and elite athletes alike.

In addition to parking and water stations, volunteers help organize and staff many aspects of the event, including registration for two days prior to the race, course set up and break down, baggage assistance, recycling and in the medical tent.

“Our volunteers really are the backbone of this race and I can’t tell you how much we appreciate their efforts,” said Race Director Dave McGillivray of DMSE Sports, who also directs 30 other races throughout the U.S., including the BAA Boston Marathon, Run Gloucester! 7-Mile Road Race and the New Balance Falmouth Road Race.

The race also honors a longtime volunteer with a special annual award. The 2011 Volunteer of the Year award went to the Bermans of Cape Elizabeth – Jeff and Kerry and their children Ben, Jackson and Sam. “It’s committed volunteers like the Bermans who make this race what it is – and they have fun doing it,” added Cohen.

Minors (under age 18) cannot register online and need to download an application from the website. Please call (207) 272-3545 or email bestn92@gmail.com with questions.

This year marks the 15th year for the TD Beach to Beacon 10K, which filled in 10 minutes and is considered one of the gems on the U.S. road race circuit. The race begins near the Crescent Beach State Park entrance on Route 77 and ends 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams Park at the Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in America.

A race field of 6,000 is expected, including some of the best elite runners in the world as well as in Maine and New England. The 2011 race included runners from 12 countries and 43 U.S. states.

TD Bank is the title sponsor of the race, founded by Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, a running icon and Maine’s most admired athlete.

In addition to TD Bank, other major corporate partners this year include Hannaford, Poland Spring, MaineHealth, Fairchild Semiconductor, Nike, Northeast Delta Dental, IDEXX and WCSH6. For additional information about the race, visit b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com or call the race hotline at (888) 480-6940.

The beneficiary of this year’s race is the Center for Grieving Children ( www.cgcmaine.org ), a Portland, Maine-based nonprofit organization providing support to bereaved children and families, which will receive a $30,000 donation from the TD Charitable Foundation. The organization also will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity through its association with the race.