I recently participated in my first Beach to Beacon 10K run this year in Cape Elizabeth. My experience with the race was overwhelmingly positive, despite having a few minor setbacks getting to the race, but we'll talk about that later.
The race is a lot of fun for people of all groups: elite runners, washed-up college athletes (like me), recreational runners, and walkers! What I absolutely loved about this race was that there were fans lined up along the entire course cheering runners on! It felt like the energy of a mini-Boston Marathon, but luckily this race is 20 miles shorter. The Maine community really shows up to support this race, and that is definitely one of the aspects that makes it so unique.
There are kids extending hands for high-fives, neighbors handing out water bottles from their front yards, local musicians performing in driveways, and there is even a bacon station at mile five. Despite the fact that my legs and lungs were burning, I could not wipe the smile from my face knowing the crowd just got bigger at every turn.
And the view was an added bonus as well. This course has been deemed America's most beautiful road race, and after running it I totally see why. The starting line is placed just before Crescent Beach and as you wind through the towns it feels as if you are running back through time. Victorian houses are hidden behind stone walls and thick forests, but you don't tend to notice that since all the action is happening right in front of you. And then as you make the turn for mile four, the ocean appears and the sea breeze calms you down from any anxiety you had about the race. Once you reach Cowbell Corner, you know that you are almost done! The course steers into Fort Williams State Park, and as you emerge from the trees you are greeted by, not only the finish line, but Portland Headlight herself. I could not help but smile widely at the beauty of it all, while also realizing I just finished my first 10K!
I think the worst part about the entire thing is that once you finish running those 6.2 miles, you are immediately directed uphill to the after party, which does a real number on your legs! How could they be so cruel?
But overall, the Beach to Beacon is a wonderful community event that is fun for both the runners and the spectators. I highly recommend running this race at some point in your career!
About the Race
The Beach to Beacon 10K road race was founded in by Maine native and Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit-Samuelson. She said about the race:
“I’ve always wanted to create a race that brings runners to some of my most favorite training grounds, so that they can enjoy the same beautiful environment, sense of community and rich history that has played such an important role in my life.”
Each year, the race attracts over 6,500 runners from around the globe, including many Olympic hopefuls. The wheelchair division kicks off first, followed by the elite women, elite men, and then the rest of the racers. Over $90,000 in prize money is awarded each year in categories including Open, Elite, American-only, Maine-only, and wheelchair. Also, each year the Beach to Beacon supports a different charity in Maine. Not only is a sizable donation given by the TD Charitable Foundation, but all the money raised from race enrollment is donated to a different charity every year. The 2019 beneficiary was the Telling Room.
Pre-Race
Signing Up
The race uses an online sign-up process that takes place in March for the general public. If you want to get your bib you MUST be ready to sign-up as soon as the registration opens, because it tends to sell out very quickly. I think this past year it sold out in 13 minutes. The cost of entering the race is $50, with all costs going to the year's sponsored charity. There is a lottery for those who are unable to get a bib during the registration process, but it is not guaranteed as they only have so many bibs to give away. I believe there is a separate sign-up process for elite runners, but since I am far from elite I am not entirely sure how that process works.
Getting Your Bib
My personal experience of picking up race-day bibs is not necessarily pleasant. I have waited in extremely long lines, along with hundreds of other runners, annoyed by the fact that there is only one or two lines to hand out thousands of bibs. However, the Beach to Beacon Bib pickup process was surprisingly smooth.
You actually get your bib number in advance via email. The Runner's Expo takes place at Cape Elizabeth High School Thursday and Friday prior to the race, from 4-8 PM. You enter a room where bibs are organized by number, about 100 bibs per volunteer. So you simply must find your bib number and head over to the appropriate volunteer to pick it up. No waiting in lines!
Then head over to the adjoining room to check out the vendors at the runner's expo. There are free goodies, gift cards, runner's gear, and local businesses to check out. Plus you must pick up your race T-shirt. Oh and don't worry if you decide you need a different size then you wrote down on your registration. You are not locked into that choice, and can pick up any size while supplies last. Note: You must pick up your bib on the expo days, you will not be able to pick it up on race day. You also cannot pick up bib's for other people without having a note from the person and their driver's license. Check the website for more information.
Day of the Race
Parking & Shuttles
Beach to Beacon is a point to point race, meaning you don't finish where you started. Parking in Fort Williams Park is reserved for staff, volunteers, and VIPs. All runners must park at a shuttle location, or be dropped off.
Note that the roads to get into South Portland and Cape Elizabeth are all one-lane roads, and thus get congested easily. The short ride over the bridge from Portland to South Portland, took me about 30 minutes. Shuttles run frequently from all the locations listed in the runner's brochure, but ARRIVE EARLIER THAN YOU THINK. My friend and I decided to carpool, and got in so much traffic we missed all the shuttles.
Luckily I knew there was additional parking at the starting line, and oddly enough the roads to these lots were less congested. Maybe people didn't know about them? My friend and parked at a small lot about one mile away from the starting line, but had to walk to get there. The walk only took about 15 minutes, but it is another time consideration to think about.
There are buses at the starting line dedicated to shuttling runner's bags to the lighthouse, and these plastic bags are provided for free. However I recommend carrying as little with you as possible, since this can be hectic if you are running late already.
Post-race, the shuttle system is well-organized, but it does take a while to get you back to your location. Lines for specific parking lots form on the lower half of the state park, near the playground. The entire process of waiting in line to get on a shuttle and getting back to our car took about 45 minutes.
The Course Itself
The six mile course is considered to be on of the country's most beautiful road races. The race begins near Crescent Beach on Route 77 in Cape Elizabeth. The conditions are pretty flat and downhill for the majority of the race. However there are pretty steep, but short, hills at miles three, five, and six. These hills don't last long and are followed by more flat or downhill roads. The race ends at Fort Williams State Park with Portland Headlight visible from the finish line.
Uniqueness of the Race
Free Bacon
You heard that right. One unique aspect of the Beach to Beacon is that at mile five not only are there volunteers handing out water, but there is also a family who is handing out bacon! I am not sure how the tradition got started but every year, the family fires up their grill on the front lawn to hand bacon to the hungry runners. One thing to note is that there are no more water stops after the bacon, so choose wisely if you are willing to grab a piece.
Focus on Sustainability
In an effort to keep Maine green, each year the Beacon to Beacon Road Race expands it's efforts to practice sustainability. In 2019, here are a few ways the race tried to reduce it's carbon footprint:
Recycling and composting waste at the expo, the Kid’s Race and the 10K, including all water stops
Collecting all the Poland Spring plastic water bottles and other redeemable bottles and cans, and sending them to CLYNK for processing. TDB2B10K will donate 100% of the proceeds to the official race charity, the Telling Room
Bring your old running shoes to the Nike booth and drop off gently used clothing to the Runner's Expo Clothing donations benefit Preble Street and shoes get recycled through Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program
Providing free, secure valet bike parking to all runners, volun- teers, and spectators
Solar powered trailer to power the stage and communications
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