20th Milestone Activities, Road Closings, Shuttle Buses and Security Outlined for Aug. 5 TD Beach to Beacon 10K
Convenient shuttle buses for runners at SMCC in South Portland, Hannaford corporate offices in Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth High School and Middle SchoolCAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (July 25, 2017) – TD Beach to Beacon 10K organizers outlined details regarding shuttle buses, road closings and registration, plus activities and enhancements for the 20th running of the iconic American road race on Aug. 5 in Cape Elizabeth.
Road Closings
On race day, the following roads will be closed to traffic (except for shuttle buses):
- Rte. 77, Sprague Hall to Kettle Cove Road closed 6 to 10 a.m.
- Crescent Beach State Park will not be accessible until 9 a.m.
- Rte. 77, Kettle Cove Road to Old Ocean House Road closed 7:30 to 10 a.m.
- Old Ocean House Road (all) closed 7:30 to 10 a.m.
- Rte. 77, at Hillway closed 7:30 to 10 a.m.
- Shore Road south of Fort Williams closed at 7:30 a.m.
- All of Fowler Road (except shuttle buses) closed 7:15 to 10 a.m.
- Scott Dyer Road eastbound closed 6:15 to 8 a.m.
Bike Parking at the Fort Williams
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is providing free and secure bicycle parking for runners, spectators and volunteers at Fort Williams with shuttle bus service for runners (only) to the starting line. The complimentary bike service is located inside Fort Williams Park, look for signage. Runners can drop off their bikes starting at 6 a.m. and need to pick them up by 2 p.m. Bike parking helps cut down on road congestion and lightens the CO2 footprint of the race. Those interested in the service must register at http://www.beach2beacon.org/bike-valet-program and for more information, email bruce@afitplanet.com.
Shuttle Bus Services
‘Park and ride’ is an increasingly popular option for runners. Convenient satellite parking and shuttle bus services to the Start Line will be provided from 6 to 7 a.m. from the following locations:
- Southern Maine Community College at 2 Fort Road in South Portland
- Hannaford corporate offices at 145 Pleasant Hill Road in Scarborough
- Cape Elizabeth Middle School and High School at 343 Ocean House Road
Shuttle buses will return to these locations from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Fort Williams after the race.
Also, there is no parking for runners at Fort Williams as parking there is restricted to media, sponsors, staff and spectators, who are advised to carpool and to arrive prior to 7:15 a.m. since Shore Road closes at 7:30 a.m. Entrance to the Fort from Cottage Road in South Portland, however, will remain open throughout the morning.
Race organizers are encouraging the ‘park and ride’ option and carpooling for everyone driving into the area on race day as a way to further reduce vehicle congestion and carbon emissions.
Expo for Bib Number and T-shirt Pick up
Bib number and tech running shirt pick up for registered runners will take place at Cape Elizabeth High School on Thursday, Aug. 3 and Friday Aug. 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. Runners will be timed with a single use timing tag (B-Tag) attached to the back of the bib, which must be worn on race day. The race Expo will feature 45 different companies, non-profits and race sponsors, including the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program where runners are encouraged to bring and donate their old running shoes to be recycled. Many of the vendors will offer giveaways and demonstrations, and food vendors will have free samples.
Runner Drop Off on Race Morning
Carpooling or the use of satellite lots for runner drop off is encouraged on race morning to avoid road congestion near the start. Runners are required to be at the start line by 7:30 a.m., however, it is recommended to arrive by 6:30 a.m. to avoid heavy traffic. Roadside parking is not allowed.
Parking at the Start
Runner parking near the Start Line will be provided at Sprague Fields located at Fowler and Ram Island Farm roads. For runner drop off, look for a designated debarkation area at Fowler Road.
What NOT to Bring
Race organizers and public safety officials have provided a list of what NOT to bring, to minimize delays. The following items are strictly prohibited for runners:
- Backpacks or similar items carried over the shoulder
- Suit cases or rolling bags
- Personal hydration systems
- Glass containers
- Costumes that cover the face or bulky outfits
- Strollers
- Props which represent firefighters, military or law enforcement
And for spectators, the following items are strictly prohibited:
- Weapons or items which replicate weapons
- Large rolling bags or coolers
- Fireworks or flammable liquids
Volunteers and staff should be also adhere to the above list.
Safety for Spectators along the Course
Race organizers are reminding spectators and volunteers along the course to stay completely off the course roads as of 7:45 a.m. – also no walkers in the road at that point as well. Spectators will first see police motorcycles, then wheelchair athletes and then a large press truck ahead of the lead women runners – followed by another press truck ahead of the men and the rest of the field. Children, pets and other spectators need to be totally out of the roadway. Also, between mile 4 and 5, the press trucks will depart to the finish to arrive before the first athletes cross, so spectators need to be especially clear of the road after Mile 4. Motorcycles also follow the elite athletes and need to have the entire road as well.
High School Mile at Fort Williams
The second annual B2B High School Mile will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4 before the Kid’s Fun Run at Fort Williams. It is a two-loop course that will begin in the vicinity of the Portland Head Light and finish across the official TD Beach to Beacon finish line. Open to spectators, this exciting event will feature more than 30 of Maine’s top high school runners. Medals will be awarded to the top finishers with uniforms provided by Nike.
Kids Fun Run – The Kids Fun Run will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4 at the Soccer Field at Fort Williams. The races will be run in heats at different distances, according to age. If it rains, check the website at www.beach2beacon.org for updates as a decision will be made by 4 p.m. on Friday. Race day registration is available beginning at 4 p.m. onsite.
Awards Ceremony – The formal awards ceremony on race day will begin at 9:45 a.m. at Fort Williams at the top of flagpole hill, featuring check presentations, gifts to age-group winners, and a total purse of more than $90,000.
Race Beneficiary – The 2017 beneficiary, Let’s Go!, is a nationally recognized program of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center focused on increasing physical activity and healthy eating for children from birth to age 18. Let’s Go! (www.letsgo.org) will receive a $30,000 donation from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, and further benefit from fundraising and publicity connected to the race.
Sponsors – In addition to title sponsor TD Bank who helped create the race in 1998, other corporate partners include Nike, Hannaford, Poland Spring, MaineHealth, L.L.Bean, IDEXX, Northeast Delta Dental, WCSH6 TV, Maine Magazine and Olympia Sports.
Milestone Year – To celebrate the 20th running of the TD Beach to Beacon, several events, changes and enhancements have been added to what already is in place for runners, volunteers, Organizing Committee members and spectators. Here are some highlights:
- For the first time, all race-sanctioned events, parties and activities will be held at Fort Williams.
- Shipyard Brewing Co. has created a limited-edition TD Beach to Beacon can – now in stores – for its popular Export Ale to celebrate the 20th running.
- Maine Magazine has partnered with the race to produce a special full-length edition devoted to the 20th TDB2B. All registered runners and OC members will receive a free copy.
- Registered runners will receive a keepsake poster of MECA student Kirk Simpson’s winning design celebrating the 20th running.
- Race Founder and Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson will join the field for only the fourth time in race history.
- For the first time in race history, tech shirts provided to registered runners by Nike will be a color other than white.
- Runners along the course will enjoy an enhanced music experience, including more music stations and pulsating energy.
- All finishers will receive a medal made of metal and featuring translucent effects evoking the elements of sea glass, plus a key chain attachment
- Each legacy runner will receive a hat from Nike embossed with the race logo
- All volunteers and Organizing Committee (OC) members will receive a lapel pin with a similar design to the finisher medal
- T-shirts for the 20th Kids Fun Run were designed by third-grader Lucy Shaw as part of a design contest at Pond Cove School in Cape Elizabeth.
For additional information about the race, visit b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com, and find the TD Beach to Beacon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About The TD Charitable Foundation
The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank ®, one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has distributed over $199 million and more than 19,400 grants through donations to local nonprofits from Maine to Florida. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including the online grant application, is available at TDBank.com.
About TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank ®
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of the Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol “TD”. To learn more, visit www.td.com.TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In management services through TD Wealth ®, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US.