Group of longtime B2B runners, volunteers are among an elite rank - August 5, 2011
By David Harry
Staff Writer
In race parlance, they are known as “streakers.”
The estimated 60 runners in the 14th annual TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K aren’t competing in the buff – they’ve never missed a race.
Cape Elizabeth residents Peter Boland and Jennifer DeSena have run the 6.2-mile course from Bowery Beach Road to Fort Williams every year since the race began in 1998.
“I think there are a few of us who would run on their hands and knees to keep it going,” said DeSena, 57.
When DeSena, Boland and about 7,000 others round the bend in Shore Road five miles into the race, Lawson Road resident Frank Luongo and his neighbors will be there to give them cups of water. Luongo and his neighbors have never missed a race either.
“There are about 30 to 40 of us. It is a social event and celebratory,” Luongo said.
The race, established by Cape Elizabeth native and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, draws world-class competitors in multiple age brackets and offers $10,000 prizes to the fastest man and woman.
“It is also a day when Cape is alive and celebrating,” Boland said.
Boland will be well behind the lead pack that includes 2010 champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia when the race starts at 8 a.m. He said it could take three minutes to get to the starting line because of the throng.
DeSena will host five-time champion Catherine Ndereba as she has each time the Kenyan has come to Cape Elizabeth, but DeSena’s pace will be more leisurely than her guest.
“This race is on the list for international runners,” DeSena said. “I just want to do it in less than an hour.”
Boland, 53, admits age has slowed his pace, but the race never loses its charm.
“It is so much fun running through my hometown,” he said.
The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K also is a fundraiser – $30,000 will be donated this year to South Portland-based Day One to fight substance abuse.
Luongo said he’s always impressed by the sight of runners and wheelchair racers passing on Shore Road.
“They run the gamut from looking regretful to full of joy for participating,” he said. “All the human motivation is there.”
Boland and DeSena say they look forward to reaching the 5-mile mile water stop near Robinson Woods along Shore Road
“It is a great pick-me-up just as you are putting your head down,” Boland said.
DeSena said Lawson Road residents also play music to bolster runners’ spirits at a very difficult point in the course. DeSena, a race organizing volunteer, even tried to get bands to play along the route this year.
“It is hard to get musicians who want to set up at 7:30 a.m. and then not pay them,” she joked.
Luongo said by 6:30 a.m. Saturday he and his neighbors will set up five tables to hand out cups of water.
“The wheelchair racers are awe-inspiring,” he said. “And the first runners who appear are in absolutely astounding condition.”
Among the wheeled racers this year is 16-year-old Christina Kouros, a Cape Elizabeth High School student born without her right leg.
The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon will affect traffic throughout town Saturday morning, including a series of road closures along the course. For more information on times and closures, visit beach2beacon.org.
Staff Writer
In race parlance, they are known as “streakers.”
The estimated 60 runners in the 14th annual TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K aren’t competing in the buff – they’ve never missed a race.
Cape Elizabeth residents Peter Boland and Jennifer DeSena have run the 6.2-mile course from Bowery Beach Road to Fort Williams every year since the race began in 1998.
“I think there are a few of us who would run on their hands and knees to keep it going,” said DeSena, 57.
When DeSena, Boland and about 7,000 others round the bend in Shore Road five miles into the race, Lawson Road resident Frank Luongo and his neighbors will be there to give them cups of water. Luongo and his neighbors have never missed a race either.
“There are about 30 to 40 of us. It is a social event and celebratory,” Luongo said.
The race, established by Cape Elizabeth native and 1984 Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, draws world-class competitors in multiple age brackets and offers $10,000 prizes to the fastest man and woman.
“It is also a day when Cape is alive and celebrating,” Boland said.
Boland will be well behind the lead pack that includes 2010 champion Gebre Gebremariam of Ethiopia when the race starts at 8 a.m. He said it could take three minutes to get to the starting line because of the throng.
DeSena will host five-time champion Catherine Ndereba as she has each time the Kenyan has come to Cape Elizabeth, but DeSena’s pace will be more leisurely than her guest.
“This race is on the list for international runners,” DeSena said. “I just want to do it in less than an hour.”
Boland, 53, admits age has slowed his pace, but the race never loses its charm.
“It is so much fun running through my hometown,” he said.
The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K also is a fundraiser – $30,000 will be donated this year to South Portland-based Day One to fight substance abuse.
Luongo said he’s always impressed by the sight of runners and wheelchair racers passing on Shore Road.
“They run the gamut from looking regretful to full of joy for participating,” he said. “All the human motivation is there.”
Boland and DeSena say they look forward to reaching the 5-mile mile water stop near Robinson Woods along Shore Road
“It is a great pick-me-up just as you are putting your head down,” Boland said.
DeSena said Lawson Road residents also play music to bolster runners’ spirits at a very difficult point in the course. DeSena, a race organizing volunteer, even tried to get bands to play along the route this year.
“It is hard to get musicians who want to set up at 7:30 a.m. and then not pay them,” she joked.
Luongo said by 6:30 a.m. Saturday he and his neighbors will set up five tables to hand out cups of water.
“The wheelchair racers are awe-inspiring,” he said. “And the first runners who appear are in absolutely astounding condition.”
Among the wheeled racers this year is 16-year-old Christina Kouros, a Cape Elizabeth High School student born without her right leg.
The TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon will affect traffic throughout town Saturday morning, including a series of road closures along the course. For more information on times and closures, visit beach2beacon.org.
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