Marathon by the Sea

Ran my 51st full/ultra marathon this past Sunday: Marathon by the Sea (St. John, New Brunswick). Weather was overcast with the occasional light rain.

Time limit of 6 hours with opportunity for an early start. The race director stated that we must reach cross the St. John Harbour Bridge (39.5K to 40.1K) within 6 hours. Since the race was very hilly, I opted to the one hour start. The race director stated there are approximately 7 or 8 people who start early each year.

A very hilly course!

Early 7 AM start -- I was one of seven people who opted for early start.

Approaching Market Square - location of the New Brunswick Museum. 

Overcast - can't see far - however, no sun! Uphill on the Harbour Passage.  Quickly, I was the last of seven people in the early start. 

To the left is the Reversing Falls - I visited it on Monday to view the low and high tides of the Bay of Fundy.  Another hill to walk up!

5 K mark. Each K was not marked in this race. Good thing I brought my own water bottle as the fluid stations were not ready for the early starters. More uphill. 

Also, after a kilometre, I was running alone as the slowest runner. I needed to follow the pilots. The fastest runner surpassed me at about 13 K. 

10 K

Entering Lorneville - the streets were empty.

Here is the fastest runner!

Fluid station and entertainment

15 K. More uphill!

Motivational sign: "For myself I am an optimist - it does not seem to be much use being anything else."

Motivational sign: "Less than 1% of the world will run a marathon - that's you!"

20 K

Thank you to the volunteers at the fluid station. 

Motivational sign: "All glory starts from daring to begin!"  Very steep hill to walk -- not sure how people run this hill - I could barely walk it. 

Motivational sign: "If you can dream it, you can do it. Congratulations to you!"

Steep downhill :-)

25 K

Downhill then uphill

These two signs are mutually exclusive. "SALE" and "First incorporated city in Canada 1785".

The single pace bunny in this race -- 4:30

30 K

35 K

This was an out-and-back race. Familiar route. 

This is a scenic route. 

Entering St. John Harbour Bridge (39.5 K)

About to leave the St. John Habour Bridge (40.1 K)

To the left is the Aquatic Centre. To the right is the Market Square.

Finish line. Didn't see any photographers. 

Celebration dinner -- took an hour to eat! Very delicious lobster!

Bud wearing the finisher's medal. Hotspot has healed but I keep the socks on so he does not lick feet and then scratch face.

Gun and Chip Time = 6:09:07

(Unfortunately, I finished last in this race out of the 55 people). 

YTD = 1299.6 K