North Yarmouth native Ben True crosses the finish line to win the men’s division of the 19th annual TD Beach To Beacon 10K road race in Aug. 2016 in Cape Elizabeth. (AP file photo)
Ben True, who became the first American runner to win the TD Beach to Beacon in 2016 and finished second in 2017, will return to the race this year.
True, a North Yarmouth native and Greely High graduate, leads the men’s elite field for the Aug. 4 race, which was announced by race officials Monday.
Molly Huddle, the American record-holder in the 10K, leads the women’s field in her Beach to Beacon debut. The women’s field also includes U.S. Olympic gold medal triathlete Gwen Jorgenson, who recently retired from triathlons to focus on the marathon. Caroline Chepkoech, who finished third in the 2016 race, will be among the favorites.
True is joined in the men’s field by two-time Olympian Lopez Lomong, 2012 Beach to Beacon winner Stanley Biwott, and Jake Roberts, who set the New Zealand record in the marathon earlier this year.
Reigning champions Stephen Kosgei Kibet and course record-holder Mary Keitany, will not return to defend their titles.
2018 Beach to Beacon
Elite Athlete Fields
As of Monday
MEN
Stanley Biwott, Kenya
Ben True, USA
Maxwell Rotich, Kenya
Jake Robertson, New Zealand
Stephen Sambu, Kenya
Tariku Bekele, Ethiopia
Amdework Walelgen, Ethiopia
Chris Derrick, USA
Callum Hawkins, United Kingdom
Ross Millington, United Kingdom
Abdi Abdirahman, USA
Shadrack Biwott, USA
Lopez Lomong, USA
Andrew Bumbulough, USA
Noah Droddy, USA
Matt Llano, USA
Parker Stinson, USA
Trevor Dunbar, USA
Colin Bennie, USA
Mason Ferlic, USA
Luke Puskedra, USA
Dillon Maggard, USA
Martin Hehir, USA
WOMEN
Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui, Kenya
Molly Huddle, USA
Sandrafelis Chebet Tuei, Kenya
Buze Diriba, Ethiopia
Ababel Yeshaneh, Ethiopia
Pauline Kamulu Kaveke, Kenya
Gwen Jorgensen, USA
Diane Nukuri, USA
Milly Clark, Australia
Laura Rose Donegan, Australia
Emily Sisson, USA
Jessica Tonn, USA
Rochelle Kanuho, USA
Liz Costello, USA
Alia Gray, USA
Emily Durgin, USA
Katie Matthews, USA
Ayano Kubo, Japan
Sayo Nomura, Japan
Rachel Hyland, USA
Kaitlin Gregg Goodman, USA
Annika Pfitzinger, New Zealand
Sydney Devore, USA
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