LUBEC, Maine — Long-distance runners will have a new international marathon option in June 2013 when the inaugural Bay of Fundy marathon debuts in Lubec and Campobello Island, New Brunswick.
“There are more than 430 marathons across the country, but only three in Maine — Portland, Sugarloaf and Mount Desert Island,” said Katherine Cassidy, the event’s organizer. “The Bay of Fundy Marathon will be the fourth. As hundreds of runners try to run 50 marathons in 50 states, we will likely have runners from several states taking part.”
Scheduled for Sunday, June 23, 2013, the first Bay of Fundy marathon event also will include a 10K run. The marathon route will cross the FDR Bridge and the border into Canada. The marathon will start at the West Quoddy Station parking lot, continue for seven miles to the FDR bridge, then follow an 18-mile loop into Campobello and back over the bridge and finish on Water Street at the Lubec town landing. The 10K starts at the lighthouse and finishes at the Lubec Town Landing, near the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Park.
Cassidy said all marathon runners will be required to show a passport, or a passport card, when they check in at race registration. Registration for the marathon ends two weeks in advance of the race date, and all marathon entries will be submitted to the Bureau of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and Canadian Border Services for clearance before the race.
On the day of the marathon, runners also will be equipped with microchips to record their times as well as to identify them as they pass an electronic strip set up at the border to record their passage both ways.
Cassidy said two other long-established marathons have set the precedent for running in two countries — the Detroit Free Press Marathon held in October and the Niagara Falls International Marathon in May.
“Holding a two-country marathon locally has been my idea, and now we have an active organizing committee,” Cassidy said. “We aim to make this a two-community event with local volunteers, local participation and local sponsors and partners. We have a goal of registering 200 runners between the marathon and the 10K.”
The Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Park Association is the official charity of the race. Cassidy said runners who register on active.com will have the option to raise money on their own to benefit the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Park.
Several groups and organizations on both sides of the border will benefit from weekend events off the course, including a pre-race pasta and lobster dinner and a post-race “Finishers and Families” barbecue with the Lubec Masons. Race day concludes with a post-race party on Lubec’s Water Street.
“By welcoming runners and their families to our corner of the country, we hope they will turn their trip into a longer visit,” Cassidy said. “Our region is rich in unique tourism experiences, from Roosevelt Campobello International Park to whale watches in the Bay of Fundy.”
For information, visit bayoffundymarathon.com.
This is a fantastic idea that highlights the beauty of our State, our international friendship with Canada, and which does no damage to the majesty of nature. This project demonstrates the light of the virtuous way.
What a great idea!
One question though-do they waive customs for the runners, or put them through the screening before the race begins?
I was wondering the same thing!
This is Katherine, one of the organizers. Here is how crossing the border will work. Registration for the marathon ends two weeks in advance of the race date. All marathon entries are submitted to the Bureau of Homeland Security; Customs and Border Protection; and Canadian Border Services, for clearance well before the race.
All marathon runners are required to show a passport, or a passport card, when they check in at race registration on the Saturday before Sunday’s event. On the day of the marathon (Sunday), the chip-timing company will have electronic strips at the borders which will identify runners as they pass both ways (at 7.5 miles into Canada, and at 25.5 miles as they return into the US, onto Water Street in Lubec).
Interestingly, runners in Maine have been crossing the border from Calais to St. Stephen and back for more than 25 years, in the Johnson’s International 5-Mile race every August (during the International Festival).
Thanks Katherine! I appreciate you taking the time to explain it to me, and everyone else who wondered!