By David Harry

Staff Writer

Someone will have to foot the additional $25,000 cost of running the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K race next summer, race chairman David Weatherbie said.

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council on Monday approved a new fee for the race, which will be used for maintenance and improvements at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. The fee will help fund projects outlined in a park master plan drafted by Town Manager Mike McGovern.

Both voters and councilors in the past year rejected the idea of user fees. McGovern said last summer he looked for ways to expand revenue for the park for upkeep and new projects in advance of the 50th anniversary of the town taking over the land in 1964.

“I think everyone understands we need more resources for maintenance,” McGovern said.

Weatherbie said the new fee is fair and was expected. It will be assessed in addition to the estimated $20,000 in costs race organizers reimburse the town for race expenses.

“This is not coming as a surprise. We are aware the fort has been a hot topic,” he said.

The race, established by Cape Elizabeth resident and Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, has been a summer fixture in town since 1997. Last year 6,000 people raced on the 6.2-mile course that finishes near Portland Head Light.

Runners may see a boost in the $35 registration cost to offset the additional fee, Weatherbie said. Other possibilities to raise the fee include expanding the field or seeking increased corporate sponsorship for the race, which is organized and operated by the nonprofit race committee.

Weatherbie said the committee is well aware its use of the park is different from typical group events, weddings or the demands of filming at the park because organizers need access to the park for at least four days and the race draws thousands of spectators.

“We are a different beast, we use significant chunks of the park from Wednesday to Saturday,” Weatherbie said.

Both Weatherbie and McGovern said discussions between town officials and race committee members were amicable and the proposed fee consistent with other fee changes the council enacted this week.

Weatherbie said the race committee reimburses the town for the cost of police and emergency services needed for the race. As the race has expanded, Weatherbie said those costs have increased from about $12,000 to $20,000.

The park master plan calls for changes that include razing the bleachers and seeks an additional $80,000 in town money for improvements and maintenance. 

Revisions to fees for park use can be found on the town website.

Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219.