2019 Beach to Beacon: Everything you need to know for Aug. 3
Last year's Beach to Beacon 'Maine Road Race Champions' – Portland's Michelle Lilienthal and Farmington's Ryan Smith – return to defend their titles.
2019 results » Kenya's Jepkosgei, Korio win 2019 Beach to Beacon
CAPE ELIZABETH — This year's TD Beach to Beacon 10K, Maine's most iconic and notable road race, is this Saturday, Aug. 3.
The 22nd running will feature more than 6,500 runners with a host of elites including multiple Olympians, Tokyo 2020 hopefuls and more than 10 of Maine's top resident racers vying for the unofficial title of Maine Road Race Champion.
Portland's Michelle Lilienthal, last year's Maine resident champion, returns to defend her title – seven months pregnant. Among her competitors will be high schooler Sofie Matson of Falmouth, St. Agatha's Tracy Guerrette, Portland's Leah Frost, Scarborough's Erica Jesseman and Portland's Christina Berkow.
More than 5,500 runners turn out for the 2019 Beach to Beacon
Last year's Maine resident men's champion, Farmington's Ryan Smith, will battle it out with Ellsworth's Dan Curts, Brunswick's Will Geoghegan and two-time title winner Jesse Orach of Auburn, who won consecutively in 2016 and 2017.
Kenyan Sandrafelis Chebet-Tuei, 21, the overall women's champion in 2018, is back to defend her title. The reigning overall men's champion, New Zealander Jake Robertson, will not compete, leaving that field wide open.
QUICK INFO Everything you need to know
► Bib Number Search (database may not yet be ready)
Men
- 2018: Jake Robertson, NZL, 27:37
- 2017: Stephen Kosgei Kibet, KEN, 27:55
- 2016: Ben True, USA, 28:16
Women
- 2018: Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei, KEN, 31:21
- 2017: Mary Keitany, KEN, 30:41
- 2016: Mary Keitany, KEN, 30:45
- Open M: Gilbert Okari, KEN, 27:28 (2003)
- Open W: Mary Keitany, KEN, 30:41 (2017)
- USA M: Ben True, N.H., 27:50 (2014)
- USA W: Shalane Flanagan, Ore., 31:14 (2017)
- ME M: Ben True, North Yarmouth, 29:10 (2009)
- ME W: Michelle Lilienthal, Portland, 33:39 (2014)
- Master M: Abdi Abdirahman, USA, 28:46 (2017)
- Master W: Edith Masai, KEN, 31:56 (2008)
- Chair M: James Senbeta, USA, 21:46 (2015)
- Chair W: Katrina Gerhard, USA, 26:39 (2018)
- Senior M: Dennis Simonaitis, USA, 32:21 (2012)
- Senior W: Mimi Fallon, USA, 38:30 (2015)
- Size of Field: 6,500+
- Purse: $90,000+ (Open, US-only, Masters, Maine, wheelchair)
- 2019 Beneficiary: Telling Room
Expo and Bib Number Pickups (Cape Elizabeth High School)
- Thursday, Aug. 1, 4-8 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 2, 4-8 p.m.
Race Start Times
- High School Mile: Friday, Aug. 2, 4 p.m.
- Kids Fun Run: Friday, Aug. 2, 6 p.m.
- B2B Wheelchair: Saturday, Aug. 3, 7:50 a.m.
- B2B Elite Women: Saturday, Aug. 3, 8 a.m.
- B2B Elite Men and All: Saturday Aug. 3, 8:12 a.m.
Road Closings
- Route 77, Sprague Hall to Kettle Cove Road: 6-9:30 a.m.
- Crescent Beach State Park: until 9 a.m.
- Route 77, Kettle Cove Road to Old Ocean House Road: 7:30-10 a.m.
- Old Ocean House Road: 7:30-10 a.m.
- Route 77 at Hillway: 7:30-10 a.m.
- Shor Road, south of Fort Williams: at 7:30 a.m.
- Fowler Road: 7:15-10 a.m.
- Scott Dyer Road, eastbound: 6:15-8 a.m.
2018
- Open M: Jake Robertson, NZL, 27:37
- Open W: Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei, KEN, 31:21
- USA M: Ben True, N.H., 28:29
- USA W: Molly Huddle, R.I., 31:40
- ME M: Ryan Smith, Farmington, 30:50
- ME W: Michelle Lilienthal, Portland, 36:16
- Master M: Dan Smith, USA, 33:19
- Master W: Dawn Grunnagle, USA, 34:53
- Chair M: Tony Nogueira, USA, 23:22
- Chair W: Katrina Gerhard, USA, 26:39 (CR)
- Senior M: Tom Thurston, USA, 36:54
- Senior W: Mimi Fallon, USA, 40:08
STORIES We're all in it together
COURSE 6.2 miles of greatness
Runners from all aspects of life, jubilant yet anxious, begin their 6.2-mile coastal journey northwest of Crescent Beach State Park's trails and sand beach.
Mile 1 has runners traverse a flat section of Bowery Beach Road (Route 77) through the northern edge of the park to the Inn by the Sea.
Mile 2 continues on the same road. Runners get a taste for the crowds of motivating fans ahead as they pass by several local businesses and the gateway to Two Lights State Park.
Mile 3 is all Old Ocean Road — a pleasant, narrow loop off Ocean House Road consisting of homes, farmland and cool forest shade. Homeowners along the way typically play music and even get the garden hoses out for hot, humid mornings.
Next, it's back onto Ocean House Road for a stroll through the center of town. Mile 4 takes runners underneath a giant American hung over the road by two ladders from the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department. Hundreds of roaring fans outside the town offices and library direct competitors onto Shore Road — their final turn before an ascent to the beacon.
Mile 5, similar to Mile 3, takes runners past homes with driveways of support. Runners begin to feel a sense of closure arriving as they approach Pond Cove, envisioning the finish line and calibrating their final bursts of energy.
But for those who rush reality, a painful consequence awaits in Mile 6…
HILLS! Don't forget the hills. As runners make their way past Robinson Park, Chimney Rock and Delano Park, incline steepens, imposing an unavoidable challenge for those who neglect to leave some in the tank.
A final hill awaits runners at Fort William Park's southwest entrance, the Old Gate, and then, for the last 200 meters, runners enter a chute taking them around the old bunkers and soccer fields, flanked on both sides by an exuberant crowd, passionately inspiring a strong finish.
The finish: an iconic view of Portland Head Light.
2019 ELITES B2B champs, former Olympians
Men
(Bib Number – Name, Country)
2 – Andrew Bumbalough, USA
- 5th at 2018 Boston Marathon
- Trains with/sponsored by Bowerman TC/Nike
- Tennessee native, Georgetown alum
- 10K PBs: 29:47 road, 27:56 track
4 – Jairus Kipchoge-Birech, KEN
- 4th in 3K steeplechase at 2015 worlds
- No. 11 all-time in 3K steeplechase
- 10K PBs: 27:52 road, 28:35 track
8 – Callum Hawkins, GBR
- 9th in marathon at 2016 Olympics
- No. 2 all-time Brit in half-marathon
- Brother of Derek Hawkins, also running B2B
- 4th in marathon at 2017 worlds
- 10K PBs: 28:55 road, 28:49 track
9 – Bashir Abdi, BEL
- 20th in 10K at 2016 Olympics
- Current world 10K ranking of No. 19
- 2nd in 10K at 2018 European Championships
- 10K PBs: 28:07 road, 27:36 track
10 – Derek Hawkins, GBR
- 114th in marathon at 2016 Olympics
- Brother of Callum Hawkins, also running B2B
- 10K PBs: 29:24 road, 30:24 track
12 – Noah Droddy, USA
- Current world 10K ranking of No. 145
- Trains with Roots Running, sponsored by Saucony
- Indiana native, Depauw University alum
- 10K PBs: 31:34 road, 28:07 track
13 – Scott Fauble, USA
- 4th in 10K at 2016 U.S. Olympic trials
- 7th at 2019 Boston Marathon
- Trains with/sponsored by NAZ Elite/Hoka One One
- Colorado native, University of Portland alum
- 10K PBs: 29:55 road, 28:00 track
15 – Colin Bennie, USA
- Trains with/sponsored by Reebok Boston
- Massachusetts native, Syracuse University alum
- 10K PBs: 29:01 road, 28:37 track
16 – Abdi Abdirahman, USA
- 4-time Olympian
- 10th, 15th, 15th in 10K at 2000, 2004, 2008 Olympics
- 2008 U.S. 10K champ
- Somalia native, University of Arizona alum
- 10K PBs: 28:26 road, 27:16 track
17 – Thomas Toth, CAN
- Ontario native, New Hampshire resident
- 10K PBs: 30:33 road, 29:57 track
18 – Chase Weaverling, USA
- 3rd in 10K at 2015 Pan Am juniors
- Trains with/sponsored by Reebok Boston
- Maryland native, University of Virginia alum
- 10K PBs: 30:51 road, 29:28 track
19 – Brett Robinson, AUS
- 14th in 5K at 2016 Olympics
- Current world 10K ranking of No. 70
- 13th at 2019 London Marathon
- 8th in 1,500-meter at 2010 world juniors
- 10K PBs: 28:29 road, 27:58 track
20 – Dan Curts, USA (Ellsworth)
- Ellsworth native, Iowa State University student
- Current world 10K ranking of No. 602
- 2019 Big 12 outdoor 5K champ
- 10K PB: 29:36 track
21 – Chris Derrick, USA
- U.S. indoor 5K junior record-holder
- 9th at 2017 Chicago Marathon
- 10th at 2018 New York Marathon
- Illinois native, Stanford University alum, Oregon resident
- 10K PBs: 29:00 road, 27:31 track
25 – Reid Coolaset, CAN
- 23rd in marathon at 2016 Olympics
- 27th in marathon at 2012 Olympics
- No. 3 all-time Canadian in marathon
- 9th at 2018 Boston Marathon
- 10K PBs: 28:36 road, 27:56 track
26 – Will Geoghegan, USA (Brunswick)
- Brunswick native, Dartmouth College/Oregon University alum
Kenyans William Malel Sitonik and Gilbert Kimunyan, as well as American Emmanuel Bor, all dropped out head of Saturday's race. Sitonik, 25, was the 2012 world junior 5K champ and has a 26:54 10K PB. Kimunyan, 21, has 10K PBs of 27:52 on the road and 28:57 on the track. Bor is with ArmyMWR.
Women
(Bib Number – Name, Country)
100 – Joyciline Jepkosgei, KEN
- 10K PBs: 29:43 road, 31:28 track
101 – Caroline Chepkoech-Kipkirui, KEN
- 10K PBs: 30:19 road, 31:16 track
104 – Emily Infeld, USA
- 10K PBs: 31:47 road, 31:20 track
105 – Amy Cragg, USA
- 10K PBs: 31:31 road, 31:10 track
107 – Sandrafelis Chebet-Tuei, KEN
- 10K PBs: 30:57 road, 32:11 track
109 – Kaitlin Gregg-Coodman, USA
- 10K PBs: 33:18 road, 31:55 track
110 – Charlotte Purdue, GBR
- 10K PBs: 32:10 road, 32:03 track
111 – Lily Partridge, GBR
- 10K PBs: 33:03 road, 32:20 track
112 – Tish Jones, GBR
- 10K PBs: 32:58 road, 33:48 track
113 – Jess Piasecki, GBR
- 10K PBs: 32:33 road, 32:41 track
114 – Aisling Cuffe, USA
- Stanford University alum
115 – Becky Wade, USA
- 10K PBs: 33:03 road, 32:32 track
119 – Katie Newton, USA
- 10K PB: 33:54 road
131 – Dawn Grunnagle, USA
- 10K PB: 34:53 road
152 – Sharon Lokedi, KEN
- 10K PBs: 32:05 road, 32:09 track
99 – Rosie Donegan, AUS
- 10K PB: 34:06 road
American Allie Kieffer dropped out ahead of Saturday's race.
PAST CHAMPS Near and far, fast and determined
2018
Open M: Jake Robertson, NZL, 27:37
Open W: Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei, KEN, 31:21
USA M: Ben True, N.H., 28:29
USA W: Molly Huddle, R.I., 31:40
ME M: Ryan Smith, Farmington, 30:50
ME W: Michelle Lilienthal, Portland, 36:16
Master M: Dan Smith, USA, 33:19
Master W: Dawn Grunnagle, USA, 34:53
Chair M: Tony Nogueira, USA, 23:22
Chair W: Katrina Gerhard, USA, 26:39 (CR)
Senior M: Tom Thurston, USA, 36:54
Senior W: Mimi Fallon, USA, 40:08
2017
Open M: Stephen Kosgei Kibet, KEN, 27:55
Open W: Mary Keitany, KEN, 30:41 (CR)
USA M: Ben True, N.H., 27:56
USA W: Shalane Flanagan, R.I., 31:14 (CR)
ME M: Jesse Orach, Gorham, 31:31
ME W: Emily Durgin, Standish, 34:43
Master M: Abdi Abdirahman, USA, 28:46 (CR)
Master W: Sheri Piers, USA, 37:25
Chair M: Krige Schabort, USA, 22:14
Chair W: Hannah Babalola, USA, 28:26
Senior M: Bryne Decker, USA, 35:48
Senior W: Mary Zengo, USA, 38:58
2016
Men: Ben True, USA, 28:16
Women: Mary Keitany, KEN, 30:45
Maine's Ben True first American man to win Beach to Beacon
2015
Men: Stephen Kosgei Kibet, KEN, 28:28
Women: Wude Ayalew, ETH, 31:56
Kenya native wins 2015 Beach to Beacon 10K
2014
Men: Bedan Karoki, KEN, 27:37
Women: Gemma Steel, GBR, 31:27
International runners win Beach to Beacon
2013
Men: Micah Kogo, KEN, 28:03
Women: Joyce Chepkurui, KEN, 31:23
2012
Men: Stanley Biwott, KEN, 27:59
Women: Margaret Wangari-Muriuki, KEN, 31:52
2011
Men: Micah Kogo, KEN, 27:48
Women: Aheza Kiros, ETH, 32:09
2010
Men: Gebre Gebremariam, ETH, 27:40
Women: Lineth Chepkurui, KEN, 30:59
2009
Men: Ed Muge, KEN, 28:05
Women: Irene Limika, KEN, 32:06
2008
Men: Ed Muge, KEN, 27:52
Women: Edith Masai, KEN, 31:57
2007
Men: Duncan Kibet, KEN, 27:52
Women: Luminita Talpos, KEN, 32:20
2006
Men: Tom Nyariki, KEN, 27:48
Women: Alventina Ivanova, RUS, 31:26
2005
Men: Gilbert Okari, KEN, 27:38
Women: Lornah Kipligat, KEN, 31:34
2004
Men: Gilbert Okari, KEN, 27:35
Women: Susan Chepkemei, KEN, 31:35
2003
Men: Gilbert Okari, KEN, 27:28 (CR)
Women: Catherine Ndereba, KEN, 31:53
2002
Men: James Koskei, KEN, 28:11
Women: Adriana Fernandez, MEX, 31:56
2001
Men: Evans Rutto, KEN, 28:30
Women: Catherine Ndereba, KEN, 31:33
2000
Men: Joseph Kimani, KEN, 28:07
Women: Catherine Ndereba, KEN, 32:19
1999
Men: Khalid Khannouchi, MAR, 27:48
Women: Catherine Ndereba, KEN, 32:05
1998
Men: Johannes Mabilte, RSA, 28:18
Women: Catherine Ndereba, KEN, 32:15