Fundy marathon gains international and local interest

“I had to decide,” says John Hough, race director for the upcoming Bay of Fundy International Marathon, "between running the marathon or running the marathon."
Of course, both are needed for a successful event: those who lace up their sneakers and hang a number on their chest and those who walk around with a clipboard to make sure vital services are working smoothly. Current registration for the Sunday, June 23, event includes well over 500, including both the 26.2-mile main event and the 10‑kilometer undercard, not counting the large contingent of volunteers lined up to make sure things go as planned. Contestants are coming from all over the United States and Canada, as well as several countries farther afield.
The marathon is the brainchild of the indefatigable Katherine Cassidy of Lubec. "I first came up with the idea in 2007," she says, "back when we were living in Machias." The "we" refers to her husband Frank, who died in January of 2012. Since losing her husband of 10 years, Cassidy has moved to Lubec, organized the marathon, successfully run for the state legislature and earned her master's degree. The veteran of several marathons who covered many triathlons as a journalist, she announced her intent to organize the upcoming event during the April 24, 2012, meeting of the Cobscook Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's what Frank would have wanted me to do," she says of her accomplishments.
Participants range from octogenarians to teenagers, with a handful of subteens competing in the 10K. The youngest to sign up for the full marathon, at least according to the list as of mid‑May, is Welshpool's 14-year‑old Adelaine Carten, who is teamed up with her mother Daphne, vice principal of the island's school. When asked who is faster, mother or daughter, each points at the other.
"The other kids are supportive," says Adelaine, speaking of her classmates, "but they don't want to do it." "Maybe next year," adds Daphne. Adelaine is involved in school sports, including running, and Daphne has run "in a few half‑marathons." The pair plans to run together to provide mutual support.
Stephanie Allard of Perry also will be running the full marathon. Allard says she swore off doing marathons eight years ago, after competing in four, including Boston, but adds with a laugh, "I could not resist a marathon in my own back yard." She says she normally runs 25 miles per week, but for training for this event has upped that to 40.
Anchoring the top end of the age range are Belfast's Harold and Connie Jones, 85 and 82, signed up for the 10K. With runners coming from Uruguay, Ireland, Great Britain and Alaska it is difficult to say who will travel the farthest, particularly as more runners sign up every week. Since the event garnered certification as a "Boston Qualifier," the race has attracted even more runners who wish to earn a starting position in next year's Boston Marathon, particularly after the recent tragedy at that event.
Arguably the most dedicated contestant is Lois Berkowitz, who the Wall Street Journal says runs 20 marathons per year. Berkowitz is the president of the 50 States Marathon Club, a group that recognizes members who have competed in a marathon in each of the 50 states. According to the group's website, she has competed in 375 marathons, ranking her at position 31 in the club's standings.
Runners will start at West Quoddy Light, head east on Route 189 to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge, proceed across Campobello to the turnaround at the Harbour Head Light, return across the bridge and cross the finish line on Lubec's Water Street. Twenty of the 26.2 total miles will be on Canadian soil.
"I thought getting runners across the border and back would be the toughest part," says Cassidy, "but it turned out to be the easiest. When we brought John Hough in, everything started working out."
Hough, a veteran of 17 years of development work for the United Nations, is not so quick to accept Cassidy's accolades. "It's not me," he says, "it's all the people on both sides of the bridge that have come together to help out. The kids making signs and cleaning out water containers and the people volunteering to hand out water to the runners and keep the course clean, they're the ones making this possible."
One event that Hough does admit may have come about from the committee's efforts was the meeting held in April that brought together, in one room, police, fire, EMS, border security and other emergency services, including representatives from both Maine and New Brunswick C possibly a first. He credits Walter Plaut of Downeast EMS as having "brokered" the gathering. "All well-organized marathons have a disaster plan," says Hough, adding that the meeting was planned before the events in Boston brought that aspect of planning into sharper focus.
Preparations for the big day started, for some, long ago. Lubec artist Shanna Wheelock began crafting the trophies, including 18 top‑place awards and 84 medallions for category winners, in January. Each of the larger pieces, says Wheelock, includes several hours of labor for just the hand‑carving, not including the time for casting, drying and all of the steps needed to complete each one. Eastport's Richard Klyver, who works in cast bronze, is crafting medallions, one for each marathoner to complete the race.
As at most marathons, each entrant will receive a goody‑bag filled with memorabilia and promotional materials. However, in keeping with the organizer's commitment to "be green," instead of the usual plastic bag these will be lobster‑bait bags, provided by Jonesport's Downeast Wire Trap Company.
Sue Keef, race vice chair for Campobello Island, is looking to the event to help motivate local youth towards better physical fitness activities. "If it gets them to look toward lifestyle changes, it'll be a huge benefit," says Keef, who also expects the marathon to lure more tourists across the bridge. She has been instrumental in gaining local support for the event, which threatens to disrupt life on the island for a few hours.
More information about the Bay of Fundy International Marathon, including a detailed map, is available at <www.bayoffundymarathon.com>.