CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (June 21, 2017) – The TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race is looking for volunteers for several key areas at this year’s special 20th race on Saturday, Aug. 5 in Cape Elizabeth.

Positions are most needed in the following areas:

• handing out the special 20th medals to runners at the finish
• parking and shuttle bus program
• recycling, composting and the bike corral
• the Kid’s Fun Run on Friday evening (Aug. 4)
• Medical Tent

New and returning volunteers can sign up at b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com/VOLUNTEER

Besides self-satisfaction in helping the world-renowned road race run smoothly, perks for volunteers this year include a special lapel pin designed like the finisher medals, a tech running shirt from Nike, and a special outdoor party at Fort Williams during race week just for volunteers, featuring food, music and prizes.

“Our volunteers truly form the backbone of the TD Beach to Beacon, each and every year,” said Volunteer Coordinator Maya Cohen. “This race just wouldn’t be what it is without their dedication and efforts. And with this year being the special 20th running of the race, it’s an extra special year for volunteers as we have a few new volunteer areas and a heightened level of excitement. We are hoping to attract new volunteers and making sure our past volunteers get signed up so they don’t miss out. This is going to be a fun event all the way around.”

One new responsibility for volunteers will be handing out special medals to runners in the finish line area on race morning, she said.

Another area of need is related to the race’s sustainability efforts, she said. Following the 2016 race, the TD Beach to Beacon became the first major U.S. road race to earn Evergreen Certification for, among other things, its comprehensive recycling program and success in reducing carbon emissions. Evergreen is the highest level attainable from the Council for Responsible Sport

“This program is more important than ever,” Cohen said. “If anyone wants to know what they can do in their own back yard to fight climate change, then spending a few hours assisting in this program is a fantastic option.”

Volunteers are needed to assist with recycling, composting and the bike corral, which makes it easy for participants to ride their bikes to the event, taking cars off the roadway. Help is also needed in the shuttle bus program, which transports runners from and to satellite lots at the Hannaford corporate parking lot in Scarborough, SMCC in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth High School, as well as in the parking areas for runners near the start line.

“Parking and the shuttle buses is all about efficiency and the overall effort to reducing our carbon footprint,” Cohen said. “Volunteers in these areas are making a huge difference.” The Kids Fun Run on Friday evening also needs volunteers. “To watch these kids run and compete, the smiles on their faces, it’s pure joy,” she said. On Saturday, the Medical Tent is another area where volunteers are needed. Here, both licensed and non-licensed medical professionals are welcome, including doctors, nurses, EMTs, medical assistants and students in training, to assist runners deal with any running related injuries such as heat, dehydration and other medical issues. Spots for volunteers remain in many other areas as well, she said. “We’ve had a great response so far but we still need volunteers so we’re encouraging new and previous volunteers to sign up soon, especially returning volunteers who have a favorite area,” Cohen added.

The TD Beach to Beacon 10K needs a total of about 800 volunteers to ensure a smooth operation for the 6,500+ recreational runners and world-class athletes alike who will wind their way from Route 77 near Crescent Beach State Park to Fort Williams Park and the Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

A list of available jobs is available on the TD Beach to Beacon 10K website and is updated daily. Groups interested in volunteering together should contact Maya Cohen at cohemm@gmail.com.

In addition, TD Beach to Beacon also will honor a longtime volunteer with a special annual award. The 2016 Volunteer of the Year award went to­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Paul and Lisa Simonsen of Buxton, who work in the medical tent. Minors (under age 18) cannot register online and need to download an application from the website. Please call (207) 838-8816 or email cohemm@gmail.com with questions.

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.

Also, the TD Beach to Beacon’s charity bib program now generates an additional $150,000 or so for Let’s Go! and past race beneficiaries each year.

The TD Beach to Beacon 10K was founded in 1998 by Joan Benoit Samuelson, an Olympic gold medalist who grew up in Cape Elizabeth. Today the race attracts a large contingent of world-class elite athletes in the U.S. and around the world as well as top runners in Maine and New England to compete for more than $90,000 in prize money.  In 2016, 6,336 runners from 15 countries, 43 states and more than 265 Maine cities and towns finished the winding, rolling, often breathtaking 6.2-mile coastal course.

The TD Beach to Beacon is directed by Dave McGillivray of DMSE Sports , who also serves as race director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon.
For additional information about the race, visit b2bdevelopment.wpengine.com, and find the TD Beach to Beacon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.