Area
athletes in Beach To Beacon
By Elizabeth Prata
The State's most popular 10K run was held last weekend
and among the 5,000 runners were 25 athletes from
Gray and 10 from New Gloucester.
Runners of all abilities from almost every state
in the nation and some of the very best runners
from around the world assembled at the 8th TD Banknorth
Beach to Beacon 10K on August 6.
Gray
resident Matthew Sturgis ran the race again, and
said he loves it more each year. "It's the
next best thing to the Boston Marathon, minus 20
miles." Mr. Sturgis said that the people along
the route and the organizers are so supportive,
with a well-organized event in a fantastic setting.
"It's the biggest social running event of the
year, and I love to run it," he said. Left,
Matt Sturgis. Monument file photo
New Gloucester's eleven-year-old Lucy Wilcox ran
in the under 15 year old division. "It is really
fun," Ms. Wilcox said. "I like running
with all the people." She especially like the
water sprays along the way. This is Ms. Wilcox's
third Beach To beacon race and she looks forward
to next year. Right, Lucy at the 2003 NG Strawberry
Festival. Monument file photo
So does her brother, Eric. Eric ran in the Fun Run
this year and plans to run the 10K in the 7-8 year
old age group next year.
The race was founded by 1984 Olympic Marathon Gold
Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson. The 6.2-mile run,
starting at Crescent Beach and ending at Portland
Head Light, the nation's first commissioned lighthouse,
attracted over 5,000 runners, along with over 10,000
spectators, to the Maine coast last summer, making
it the largest road race ever in the Pine Tree State.
This is the eighth year for the popular race, which
draws runners from all parts of the US and elite
athletes from around the world.
The race beneficiary was the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Greater Portland and Auburn/Lewiston, a non-profit
youth development organization that provides programs,
activities and a nurturing environment to thousands
of children in Maine. TD Banknorth, through the
TD Banknorth Charitable Foundation, provided a cash
donation of $30,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Two Club members, Antonio Anderson and Rebecca McPhee,
both students in South Portland schools, held the
finish line tape.
To
search for results by place or person, go to the
Beach To Beacon site:
http://www.beach2beacon.org/exc/2005racesearch.asp
