Local Spotlight: Beach to Beacon 2026. What to Know Before Race Day Hits Cape Elizabeth
This Saturday, August 1, Cape Elizabeth turns into the epicenter of Maine running for a morning. If you live here, you already know what that means for your street, your driveway, and your plans. Here's your quick-and-easy guide to the 2026 TD Beach to Beacon 10K.
The Basics
The 28th annual TD Beach to Beacon 10K kicks off Saturday, August 1, starting near Crescent Beach State Park on Route 77 and finishing at Fort Williams Park, with that unbeatable view of Portland Head Light waiting at the line. Founded by Cape Elizabeth's own Joan Benoit Samuelson in 1998, it's grown into one of the most competitive 10Ks in the country. This isn't just a local fun run, it's a world-class event that happens to run straight through our neighborhood.
Roughly 6,500 runners crossed the finish line last year, and this year's field should be right in that range.
Portland Headlight at Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth
This Year's Beneficiary
The 2026 official beneficiary is Dirigo Reads, a volunteer-run nonprofit that gets a new book into the hands of Maine first graders every month of the school year. TD Bank makes a direct donation to the cause, and 50 race bibs are set aside specifically for runners fundraising on Dirigo Reads' behalf.
Beyond the 10K
If running 6.2 miles isn't your thing, there's still plenty happening race weekend:
Friday, July 31: Kids' Fun Run and the Beacon Walk, Run and Roll
Race Expo: Wednesday, July 30, 4–8 p.m., where kids can also register for the Fun Run
Saturday, August 1: Race day, with the 10K taking over Route 77, Old Ocean House Road, and the surrounding stretch through the morning
What It Means If You Live Here
If you're in Cape Elizabeth, plan around road closures on Route 77 and the connecting side streets Saturday morning. Traffic gets tight in both directions between Crescent Beach and Fort Williams. Locals typically map an alternate route to Route 1 or leave early if they need to be anywhere before mid-morning.
For the rest of us, it's just a great excuse to be outside. Fort Williams on Beach to Beacon morning is one of the best people-watching spots in the state. A solid reminder of why folks fall in love with this town in the first place.
Why I Love This Weekend
I grew up here, and Beach to Beacon has always felt like Cape Elizabeth's unofficial town holiday. Neighbors on their lawns cheering, kids handing out water, the whole community out at once. If you're new to the area or thinking about what it's like to actually live here (not just visit), race weekend is a pretty good preview.
