CAPE ELIZABETH – Several new faces will join some that are very familiar as 5,000 runners toe what is expected to be a very wet line Saturday at the sixth annual People’s Beach to Beacon 10-kilometer road race.

Defending men’s champion James Koskei and four-time women’s champion Catherine Ndereba return to the race Koskei calls “one of his favorites” in search of continuing success.

Others, like John Korir, the world’s No. 1-ranked road racer in 2003, are hoping to crash the party.

“I have raced here before and like it very much,” said Korir. “I like coming here because of the challenge, and with this many good runners in the field, it will be challenging.”

Korir and Koskei, both from Kenya, are joined by fellow countrymen Paul Koech, David Korir, Linus Maiyo and Gilbert Okari as the top six entries. Scott Larson of Superior, Colo., is the top American entry in the men’s field and will wear bib No. 8, followed by Terrence Mahon of Villanova, Pa., wearing No. 9.

“The top five or six runners are extremely fast,” said Larson. “The pace and the way this thing is run is all relative. They might go out at a pace that is easy for them, but for everyone else, it’s going to be very quick.”

In the women’s race, Ndereba is looking to regain the crown. She is the course record holder with a time of 31:34. Defending champion Adriana Fernandez of Mexico is not running this year, leaving the door open for Ndereba.

“I don’t think that last year will make me do anything different this year,” said Ndereba. “This year I haven’t been training as hard as I had been last year, so I will have more energy near the end.”

In last year’s race, Fernandez out-kicked Ndereba in the last kilometer. Ndereba finished third.

Pushing Ndereba this year will be Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania, whose personal best in a 10-kilometer race if 31:14, 20 seconds better than the course record. Ludmila Petrova of Russia is experiencing the Beach to Beacon for the first time.

“I have been training for the Russian nationals and for the world championships,” said Petrova. “This was a chance to have some fun and get a good time in.”

The race also features a masters category and a Maine category, which adds to the local flavor. In the master’s category, Andrew Masai of Kenya is a two-time winner, while Eddy Hellebuyck returns as the defending champion. Hellebuyck currently holds the American master’s record at 29:27.

On the women’s side, Elena Parmanova of Russia and Carmin Ayala-Troncoso of Texas are two runners to watch.

In the Maine category, Andy Spaulding of Freeport is looking to defend his title in the men’s race, while Christine Snow-Reaser of Dayton will toe the line in defense of her title.

Several local athletes are entered in this year’s Maine competition, including Tina Meserve of Livermore Falls, Kelly Rodrigue of Lewiston, Scott Brown of Lewiston and Jeff Caron of Auburn.

jpelletier@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link