CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine — WEATHER DELAY: Saturday's TD Beach to Beacon 10K road race start time has been delayed due to possible inclement weather conditions. Race times were pushed back by one hour, organizers announced Friday night.
The annual race through Cape Elizabeth, starting at Crescent Beach State Park traveling along Route 77 and ending at Fort Williams Park, is celebrating its 26th year.
One thing that makes this year's race extra special is that it marks race founder Joan Benoit Samuelson's 40th anniversary of her Olympic gold medal run, which later inspired her to create the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in 1998 to benefit children’s charities right here in Maine.
Each year, event organizers select an outreach group or nonprofit organization to be the beneficiary of funds raised from the road race and weekend of events. This year's beneficiary was Preble Street Teen Services. Its mission is to support Maine teens and break the cycle of youth homelessness while providing shelter, food, mental health resources, and other services. Before race participants even took their marks for Friday's and Saturday's events, more than $140,000 was raised for the outreach.
Leaders with Preble Street were at the race at Fort Williams Park Saturday, collecting donations and raising awareness about its programs, but donations to Preble Street can also be accepted here.
FRIDAY EVENT SCHEDULE
The Kids' Fun Run kicks off at 3 p.m. throughout the afternoon and evening.
Look out Friday night for NEWS CENTER Maine's Todd Gutner, who is announcing at the Kids' Fun Run and High School Mile.
3 p.m.: Kids' Fun Run on-site registration begins at Fort Williams
4 p.m.: Kids’ Fun Run Start
5:30 p.m.: Beacon Walk, Run, Roll Start
6 p.m.: High School Mile Start
SATURDAY EVENT SCHEDULE
The races were pushed back an hour from their original scheduled times due to possible lighting in the area on Saturday morning. The updated times are listed below.
Starting bright and early, the day begins with the Wheelchair Division at 8:50 a.m., followed by Pro Women's, Men's, and the 10K Road Race at 9:12 a.m.
Keep an eye out at the starting line for NEWS CENTER Maine announcers David Guildford and Samantha York.
8:50 a.m.: Wheelchair Division Start
9:00 a.m.: Pro Women Start
9:12 a.m.: Pro Men Start
9:12 a.m.: 10K Race Start
9:30 a.m.: Post-Race Celebration Start
11:30 a.m.: Awards Ceremony
Competitors will be greeted by our finish line announcers, Dana Osgood and Aaron Myler, to cheer you on for those last few steps!
Preble Street Teen Services is a nonprofit organization that helps to provide low-barrier access to shelter, food, basic needs, casework, mental health supports, education and employment services, as well as a variety of housing options for youth experiencing homelessness between the ages of 12-24 in Maine. To find out more about the nonprofit or donate today, click here.
