Tourism New Brunswick is Fundy Marathon’s First Major Sponsor

Announcing Tourism New Brunswick’s support for the Bay of Fundy International Marathon are, left to right, Campobello MP Curtis Malloch; New Brunswick tourism officer Terry Cunningham; race co-chair (CAN) Sue Keef; race director John Hough; and Roosevelt Campobello International Park supervisor Ron Beckwith, the event’s honorary chair. 

Tourism New Brunswick has signed on as the first major sponsor for the Bay of Fundy International Marathon, which will debut in Lubec and across Canada’s Campobello Island on Sunday, June 23.

Tourism New Brunswick provided a $3,700 grant and recognition that the first-year marathon will support and encourage active lifestyles for Campobello residents, from youth to seniors. Promoting healthier lifestyles for both Campobello and Lubec residents is one of the objectives of the marathon. The 26.2-mile race starts in Lubec, crosses the international border into Canada, and returns for a downtown finish along Lubec’s Water Street.

As of Saturday, February 2, there are 248 runners registered in the marathon. They are traveling from 32 states and Washington, D.C.; five Canadian provinces; and Uruguay. Another 55 runners are registered to run the companion 10K,. That course stays entirely within Lubec.

“We initially had a goal of 200 in the marathon for our first year,” said race founder and co-chair Katherine Cassidy, of Lubec. “Now we are looking toward 300 marathoners. Preparing for that many runners from out-of-town is a great problem and honor to have.”

An organizing committee of a dozen steady volunteers from both sides of the border has been meeting since last March, alternating between Lubec and Campobello. Sue Keef of Wilson’s Beach, president of the Campobello Tourism Association, serves as the event’s co-chair alongside Cassidy.

John Hough of Edmunds is the event’s race director. He has been leading the group in number of tasks, including course logistics, food and hospitality, registration, medical, public safety, awards, sponsorship recruitment and coordination with both U.S. and Canadian authorities and border agencies.

The marathon route is essentially “lighthouse to lighthouse” and back to Lubec’s Water Street. The race starts at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, crosses to Campobello via the FDR Memorial Bridge, passes through Welshpool and Wilson’s Beach to reach Head Harbour Lighthouse (East Quoddy Head), then turns and retraces its steps to finish along Lubec’s waterfront.

The marathon organization has nonprofit status within both the U.S. and Canada. Its goals are threefold: to promote healthy lifestyles; to produce local economic benefit; and to build cooperation and collaboration between Lubec and Campobello.

The Bay of Fundy International Marathon and 10K has both a website (www.bayoffundymarathon.com) and a Facebook page.