Hancock Classic highlights a busy Saturday

If you’re running the Beach to Beacon 10K Saturday, Aug. 2 and are looking for a tuneup this weekend, you have plenty of options.

A local perennial is the 26th annual Hancock Classic 10-miler. It starts at the Hancock Town Office, and features a 5K and kids 2.5K along with the 10-miler. It attracts between 100-125 runners each year, and 99 finished last year, according to race director Terry Robinson.

The course, which is a point-to-point course, is runner-friendly.

“There’s only two hills, which are short and steep, and other than that, it’s flat and good for pacing,” Robinson said.

It has scenic views as well.

“You can look into Bar Harbor Harbor at Hancock Point, where it turns around,” Robinson said.

The race, which was once affiliated with the Sub 5 Race Series, is now part of the Crow Race Series of Bar Harbor.

“We switched over to attract more local runners,” Robinson explained.

Fees are $12 for the 10-miler, $7 for the 5K and $7 for the 2.5K. The 10-miler goes off at 9 a.m. with the 5K at around 9:05 and the 2.5K around 9:10. The first 100 registrants receive T-shirts.

Meanwhile, the 16th annual Peaks Island 5-miler will also be contested Saturday. The race will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a kids 1K to follow. Peaks Island is located on Casco Bay, and is about a 20-minute ferry ride from Portland.

The course is a little tough, with several hills and scenic ocean views, according to race director Larry Dyer.

“You won’t get a PR here, but most people come for a good time and to enjoy themselves rather than a PR,” Dyer said.

The race attracts between 425-450 runners and around 450 are expected this year.

“Ever since the Beach to Beacon 10K started, more runners have come out,” Dyer said. “It’s a great family affair, a friendly race, and runners from many different states come out.”

Dyer also acknowledged that post-race activities also attract runners.

“The lobster bake and other activities, such as volleyball, keep the people coming back,” he said.

Bobby Winn holds the course record of 25 minutes, 3 seconds while Christine Snow-Reaser holds the women’s record of 29:58.

Fees are $11 before race day and $13 on race day for the 5-miler, and $5 for the 5K. Proceeds benefit the Maine Track Club for scholarships, and $1 per runner goes to the Peaks Island Lions Club. Each 1K finisher will get a medal.

Beach to Beacon parking notices

If you’re heading to Cape Elizabeth next weekend for the sixth annual Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K, take note of the following road closings and parking options.

Route 77 from Sprague Hall to Kettle Cove Road will close from 6-11 a.m. and Fowler Road will be closed from 7:15-11 a.m. All other course-connected roads will close from 7:30-10 a.m.

Runner parking will be near the start line at Sprague Fields, located between Fowler and Ram Island Farm Roads. There is also parking at Cape Elizabeth High and Middle Schools on first-come, first-serve basis. Runners will be shuttled from either location to the start from 6:30-7:30 a.m.

Runners are encouraged to arrive by 6:30 a.m., as traffic has been heavy in the past. Runners are required to be at the start line by 7:30, and the race goes off at 8.

Runners will not be allowed to park at the finish at Fort Williams. It will be restricted to the media, sponsors, staff and a limited number of spectators. Shuttle busses will operate from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to take runners back to the start area and school parking lots.

Runners must pick up their race packets, which include bib numbers, ChampionChip and T-shirt, at the middle school on Thursday, July 31 (4-8 p.m.) or Friday, Aug. 1 (2-8 p.m.)

Finishing Kick: In addition to Hancock Classic and Peaks Island races, runners have a couple more options Saturday. In Bucksport, the Fort Knox Bay Festival 5K will take place at 9 a.m. Registration is at the Credit Union Parking Lot. And the Machias Savings Bank Summerfest 5K run and walk will be held in Danforth, near the Town Hall. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 8:30. The 5K walk will start at 8:45 and the run at 9.