The 10th annual TD BankNorth Beach to Beacon 10k road race is this Saturday morning at 8:00. Since there have been searches here for Beach to Beacon tips, I would like to highlight some important points about the race.
- First, do not forget that you need to pick up your packets this evening between 4:00 and 8:00, or tomorrow afternoon between 2:30 and 8:00. There will be no race-day packet pick up.
- Be sure to get to the starting line early on Saturday morning. It can get very crowded, and parking is at a premium. I generally park at Cape Elizabeth High School and run to the starting line, which also affords me an easy 3 mile run back to my vehicle after the race so that I can avoid waiting for a shuttle bus. It also removes the problem of figuring out which field you have parked in.
- The race course has a total swing of 80 feet from highest to lowest elevation, and a net loss of 25 feet from start to finish. Remember that the course begins with a downward slope, and that it is easy to go out too fast. Despite the largest inclines occurring in the 6th mile from mile 5 to 5.7, I always aim to run negative splits. The first 5 kilometers will generally show you a loss in elevation, but mile 3.5 to 4.5 has a very steep descent where it is possible to make up a lot of ground. Once you have made the short but sharp ascent after turning into the park, it is all flat or downhill through the last half mile of the race; don’t hold anything back!
- Be sure to keep running through the finish line; there are mats about 40 yards before the finish so that they can announce who is finishing as they go through. Those first set of mats are not the finish line.
- Do not forget to thank the race day volunteers. They work hard to make sure that you get to the finish line safely and that you enjoy the entire experience.
(You can also visit the Beach to Beacon website or look at photos of the starting line getting painted.)
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