CAPE ELIZABETH – The course produces some of the fastest times in the world. Demand to participate in the race is so high that the field fills up months in advance, leaving hundreds of runners begging for entry.
But one factor above all convinces Joan Benoit Samuelson, the founder of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K, that the race remains one of the premier events in the world.
The elite runners return to Maine year after year.
“They’re coming back, and that’s feedback,” Samuelson said. “If an elite runner goes to a race and does not have a positive experience, they won’t come back.”
A field of 5,421 runners will toe the starting line today at 8 a.m. for the eighth annual Beach to Beacon race. The 6.2-mile race starts near the entrance to Crescent Beach State Park on Route 77 and ends at Fort Williams Park in the shadow of Portland Head Light.
Entries for the race closed more than three months ago when the field surpassed 5,000 runners.
“We get hammered by people who want to get in, and it’s tough to turn them away and say no,” said race director Dave McGillivray.
The race has raised more than $250,000 for children’s charities in the past; this year’s recipient is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Portland and Auburn/Lewiston.
Many of the foremost distance runners in the world are entered, led by two-time defending champion and course-record holder Gilbert Okari of Kenya. His winning times in 2003 (27 minutes, 28 seconds) and 2004 (27:35) were the fastest in the world on the road the past two years at 10 kilometers.
“I can say this is a course for me,” Okari said. “I’ve won it two times. I really like it here.”
Okari’s chief rival should be compatriot John Korir, the current No. 1 ranked road racer in the world. Korir has won 27 major races over the past six years. He missed last year’s race with an injury after finishing second to Okari in 2003.
Several other Kenyans are expected to push the pace. The men’s field includes 2002 champ James Koskei, Wilson Kiprotich, fourth last year in sub-28 minutes, and Reuben Cheruiyot, who has a career-best of 27:38 at 10K. Also entered is Jon Brown of Great Britain, who finished fourth in the marathon in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.
Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the women’s marathon, admitted surprise that race officials secured such a stellar cast of runners, despite having the race conflict with the track and field world championships.
The biggest casualty is popular Kenyan female Catherine Ndereba, a five-time champion and course-record holder, who had raced in all seven previous races.
Defending champion Susan Chepkemei had to withdraw because of visa problems.
In their absence, the women favorites include Lornah Kipligat, Margaret Okeyo and Sally Barsosio. Kipligat, who won last month’s Peachtree 10K is a time faster than the Beach to Beacon course record, was fifth at the 2004 Games in Athens. Okeyo holds the course records at Boston and New York City marathons, while Barsosio is a former 10,000-meter world champion on the track.
Alvetina Ivanova of Russia is back after finishing third last year, while Titiania Titova, who turns 40 on race day, is expected to challenge the course record in the masters category.
The leading Americans include a pair of runners with Maine ties – Matt Lane of Yarmouth and Jeff Gaudette of Biddeford. Lane just missed the Olympic team when he placed fourth in the U.S. Trials in both 2000 and 2004. Since both now live out of state, neither is eligible for the Maine title.
Last year’s Maine champs Ethan Hemphill of Freeport and Susannah Beck of Yarmouth are back to defend their titles.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about my chances,” Hemphill said. “I think some of the younger guys are chomping at the bit. It’ll definitely be a very tight race.”
Challengers include Eric Giddings, 18, of South Portland, and Portland brothers Ayalew, 17, and Sintayehu Taye, 15. The trio dominated the distance events in last spring’s Class A state championships, recording some of the best times in the country. Giddings was the top Maine finisher in 2003.
More than $60,000 of prize money is up for grabs, with the male and female winners receiving $10,000. The top 10 finishers will share the purse. A course record will earn the open champion a $2,500 bonus.
“I’ve been training good,” said Okari. “I expect a good race (today) with a fast time. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen.”
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