RUNNING USA – TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K to be Greener in 2011 – „Green“ race aims to improve on impressive 2010 recycling and composting effort to reduce carbon footprint with comprehensive environmental program

CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine – (July 12, 2011) – The upcoming 14th TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K is aiming to build on its reputation as one of the most environmentally friendly road races, with enhanced efforts this year to recycle and compost waste and reduce traffic to and from the event.

Race organizers have set a goal to exceed last year's impressive greening effort, which boasted a 58 percent "diversion rate" – recycling plus compost – of all waste generated, reducing landfill waste to 0.7 pounds per runner.

The goal for 2011 is to divert at least 65 percent of all waste with a waste-per-runner rate of less than 0.5 pounds, according to the TD Bank Beach to Beacon's green consulting partner, Athletes for a Fit Planet LLC, a leading provider of eco-services for athletic events in the U.S. and Canada. The race's green corporate sponsor is Fairchild Semiconductor.

"We believe strongly in our obligation to Maine and to the local community of Cape Elizabeth to reduce our environmental impact," said Joan Benoit Samuelson, a Maine native and Olympic gold medalist who founded the race. "We have a top notch program in place, thanks in large part to our green corporate sponsor, Fairchild Semiconductor, and are confident we can continue to lead the way in showcasing efforts that can be made at running events and in people's daily lives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Highlights of the race's environmental efforts include:

• Recycling and composting from start to finish: This year's TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K will have Green Team members at the start, on the course at the water stations, and at the finish festival. The Green Team's job is to make sure the race diverts as much waste as humanly possible from landfill by recycling all plastic, cardboard, paper, glass and metal, as well as composting food waste and thousands of wax-coated paper cups used on the course. In 2010, 24,000 cups were composted.
• Collecting and recycling plastic bottles: In addition to recycling and composting, the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K collects and recycles empty, single-use disposable plastic bottles provided to runners at the finish. In 2010, Green Team volunteers collected 4,188 plastic water bottles. In 2011, the goal is 8,000.
• Eco-friendly portable toilets: All portable toilets for the race will be using non-toxic, earth-friendly chemicals and recycled paper to ensure minimal impact on the environment. Typically, chemicals used in the toilet tank contain harsh, often toxic chemicals.
• No more paper registration: For several years, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K has required all runners to register online, eliminating the need for printing paper registration forms. In addition, the majority of the race's communications to runners are conducted via e-mail and through its website.
• Rideshare to the race: In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, race officials are encouraging everyone to share a ride to the race. Using a new program launched last year, runners are able to go to www.pickuppal.com to self-organize ride sharing.
• Satellite parking for race: Race organizers are providing transportation to and from the race from satellite parking lots at South Portland High School and the Hannaford corporate headquarters in Scarborough. Reducing traffic congestion near the start line on race morning reduces emissions from idling cars.
• Nike Reuse-A-Shoe is back. Runners can drop off their old running shoes at the race Expo and on race day and Nike will recycle them into Nike Grind, which is used to make tracks, playing surfaces, fields and courts. The goal this year is to double the 250 pairs collected in 2010.
• EPA-approved non-toxic paint – Brite Stripe Ultra-Friendly – will be used for the Start and Finish lines, provided by Pioneer Athletics. It is the turf industry's only VOC-free paint and the first, and only, to receive EPA recognition.

"Our environmental program continues to expand and get stronger each year, which is really a reflection of our commitment to this responsibility and the strong team effort between Fairchild and Athletes for a Fit Planet," said Race President Dave Weatherbie of Cape Elizabeth. "It's also important to note that our title sponsor, TD Bank, shares our vision and has built a reputation of its own for its green initiatives."

"At TD Bank, we want to be a responsible community partner and that includes a commitment to being an environmental leader," said Larry Wold, Market President for TD Bank. "In one year, we have achieved carbon-neutrality throughout our entire footprint and have opened more than 25 environmentally-friendly stores and offices, including our Auburn Call Center, which achieved LEED-CI Platinum certification, and two new stores located in Bangor and Portland. To us, being environmentally responsible is fundamental to becoming as green as our logo."

Athletes for a Fit Planet's Bruce Rayner, Chief Green Officer, advises event organizers on cost-effective strategies and products and services for reducing, recycling and composting waste, reducing and offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing the impact of the event on the local environment.

Samuelson wants the TD Bank Beach to Beacon to set an example for others to follow.

"Running is a pure sport – runners are in tune with environmental changes by the nature of their daily runs and running experiences," she added. "It only makes sense for a race that receives great acclaim and visibility to do its part to reduce the runners' footprints throughout the event – from before they start the race until well after they cross the finish line."

The TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K, one of the gems on the U.S. road race circuit, is Maine's premiere sports event. The race day sold-out field of 6,000 includes some of the best professional runners from the U.S. and internationally who are joined at the start line by recreational runners from Maine and across New England. The 2010 race included runners from 17 countries and 41 U.S. states.

The race begins near the Crescent Beach State Park entrance on Route 77 and ends 6.2 miles later in Fort Williams Park at the Portland Head Light, the most photographed lighthouse in America.

The beneficiary of this year's race is Day One, a non-profit agency providing substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare programs for Maine youth. Day One targets substance abuse at all stages with a wide-range of programs designed to meet the needs in communities across Maine. Headquartered in South Portland, Maine, Day One served more than 1,600 youth in 2010.

TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, will provide a cash donation of $30,000 to Day One. The organization also will benefit from fundraising activities and publicity through its association with the race.

For additional information about the race, visit www.beach2beacon.org or call the race hotline at (888) 480-6940.

RUNNING USA