Stressing safety concerns and admitting heartache for limiting the size of the field, race founder Joan Benoit Samuelson has an envious problem with no obvious solution.Too many runners want to be at the starting line Saturday morning for the Beach to Beacon 10K.
Even though organizers increased the field for the 12th annual race to 6,000 runners, the field filled up within minutes after online registration began earlier this year.
"We want to accommodate as many people as we can as safely as we can," Samuelson said on Wednesday. "Obviously, some people are going to be disappointed because we need to keep the race smaller than some people would like us to.
"The runners' safety is our primary concern. We expect some attrition, and we watch those percentages very carefully. We thought we could increase the numbers a bit, again expecting some attrition."
With the course through the tight roads of Cape Elizabeth — the race starting near Crescent Beach and ending in the shadow of Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park — and the need not to overwhelm public safety officials, 6,000 runners is as large a field as officials feel the race can support.
The restrictions haven't prevented the Beach to Beacon from becoming a destination race for runners from Maine and beyond. The list of entrants includes runners from 43 states and 16 countries.
"This race increases in size and popularity for a variety of reasons," Samuelson said. "There are people from around the country who make it a goal to run in a race in every state. This race is very appealing to those people. I think people come watch the event and they're inspired by what they see passing in front of them, and then say, 'Maybe I can do that.' And I guess the push for improved health among our population in light of diabetes and obesity issues, people are realizing that they need to do something that improves their own health and wellness. Running is a very accessible and affordable sport."
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