This Sunday the Inaugural Bay of Fundy International Marathon will take place. First, a little geography lesson. You may need more than this little map to determine exactly where the bay of Fundy is, but the bottom line is the marathon starts and finishes in the state of Maine, and also runs along the bay within the province of New Brunswick, Canada.
From the marathon web-site: "We are a remote and rural marathon in one of America and Canada's most quiet corners. Our two beautiful places - Lubec, Maine and Campobello Island, New Brunswick - share shorelines, clean air, cool temperatures in June, and lighthouses that have guided the way for mariners for generations. Starting at the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, the gently rolling course offers miles of water and harbor views. Crossing from the USA to Canada by way of the FDR Memorial Bridge, the course takes runners past the FDR Summer Home in the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, through the scenic fishing villages of Welshpool and Wilsons Beach, to reach the northern tip of Campobello Island at the Head Harbour Lighthouse (also called East Quoddy Head). The course then turns and retraces its steps back along the entire length of Campobello, back across the bridge into the USA, and finishes along Water Street at the Lost Fishermen's Memorial Park, in the heart of Lubec."
Years ago we did a week long cycling "Lighthouse Tour" in Nova Scotia, and one of our overnight campsites was in Digby, across the bay from where this marathon will run. Indeed, it is a quiet corner of the world, sometimes eerily so, but beautiful, oh so beautiful. And the seafood...after a week of cycling I actually gained weight. I specifically remember the scallops I had while in Digby-- to this day the best I've ever had. But I digress...
Race stats:
Number of entrants: I can't find any registration information on the web-site to indicate how large the field of marathon runners will be, or how much registration costs. In addition to the marathon there is also a 10K race, but again, I can't find any information on the web-site. I'll probably be able to get this information from the race results on Sunday, but I would assume the field would be rather small, making race day logistics pretty easy. It is noted that both the marathon and the 10K sold out before race day!
Race expo and swag: The expo is to be held at the Campobello Island Tourist Information Center (Canada), but the pasta and LOBSTER feed is in Maine. Best lobster I ever had was in Maine. I am a tad emotionally scarred from the experience of picking out the live critter from a tank and witnessing his transition from tank to plate right before my eyes though, so you may want to avoid that experience. Anyhow, this would be a pasta feed I'd recommend attending, given the convenience in a remote area.
Course: The majority of the course is an out-and-back, which some people don't like, but it does make for easier race day logistics. The scenery appears to be gorgeous throughout the entire race, and pretty flat too, with a few rollers on the elevation chart. Don't expect a lot of spectators or hoopla on this one!
Finish: The plan is to have a post race street party along the waterfront, which sounds like a blast.
Weather: This Sunday's forecast is 53 for a low, 71 for a high, with a 30% chance of rain. This is typical weather for this time of year, which is about as good as it gets for a marathon in the summer!
Destination choice: This is what I would consider a "bucket-list" place to visit, marathon or not. Bar Harbor Maine and Acadia National Park are nearby, with plenty of things to see and do.
Inaugural marathons scare me, as they have yet proven themselves, so it's best to wait until the first go round to give them time to correct their mistakes. Such is the plan for Kathy Murgas, who will be running this marathon NEXT YEAR as part of her 50 state quest, given of course, that this Sunday's run goes relatively smoothly. I will be checking for feedback on marathonquide.com and elsewhere. Fingers crossed, because it sounds like a marathon I'd like to add to my never-ending marathon wish list.
Here is a link to the race web-site:
http://www.bayoffundymarathon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=202
No comments:
Post a Comment