2008 Annual Report
Run New Brunswick operates as a committee of Athletics New Brunswick and is comprised of a Chairperson (Gilles Gautreau), Treasurer (Paul Lavoie), Policy Advisor (Daryl Steeves), Event Advisor (Mike Doyle) and Committee Members Malcolm Boyd and Evan Hanchey. In 2008 RunNB hired an Executive Director, Adam Stacey.
RunNB operates on an annual budget of approximately $15,000.00, and receives revenue from race participants and sponsors. Funds are used to produce a yearly race booklet, maintain a website, provide liability insurance coverage for runners and race organizers, supply bibs and a race clock to events, and award prizes to competitive and recreational runners.
RunNB produced and distributed 1200 copies of the Road Racing Calendar booklet, listing 42 events from April 26 to November 2, 2008. Each listing included significant information about the event, in many cases showing course record-holders. Four events were added to the schedule during the year, bringing the total number of events to 46.
Road races operated under the banner of RunNB in 2008 at distances ranging from one mile to 42.2 kilometers, and were hosted in 27 different communities. Saint John was again the hotbed of road racing events, hosting 9 of the 46 events during the year.
Races attracted varying numbers of runners. Just 8 competitors participated in Moncton’s March de la Vie. The Legs for Literacy in Moncton attracted 1268 runners in all events.
During the 2008 season, approximately 7200 participants participated in the 46 RunNB events, for an average of 150 runners per event. This compares with total numbers from previous years as follows:
2007 – 7500
2006 – 7400
2005 – 6500
2004 – 5300
Starting in 2007 RunNB entered into a three-year contract with the Alex Coffin Fitness Shop under which the Superseries events (27 such events in 2008) operated under the banner of the “Alex Coffin Fitness Shop Superseries”. Runners accumulate points within their age category, and standings are updated after each race on the website, enabling runners to track their progress and engage in friendly competition for points. In 2008, 77 runners competed in 4 or more ACFS Superseries events. This compares with 112 runners in 2007, and 88 runners in 2006.
RunNB also encouraged competitive runners in the “Timex” series of 7 races. The top three male and female finishers in each Timex event earned prize money that was awarded at each event. In 2008 the top female in the Timex series was Micheline Drisdelle, while Dean Strowbridge was the winner in the men’s standings. A total of $1,470.00 in prize money was awarded in this series of races, courtesy of Timex.
2008 was the third year for the RunNB Provincial Championships in the 5K, 8K, 10K, 21.1K and 42.2K distances. The top three finishers overall in each of those five events received prize money, with the male and female winners being crowned provincial champion. A total of $1800.00 in prize money was awarded in 2008 to 34 runners.
The “Aliant Futures Series” continued in 2008. This project, sponsored by Aliant, encouraged race directors to hold events for boys and girls 14 years of age and under, at distances from one kilometer to three kilometers. Through the assistance of Aliant, RunNB supplied race bibs and finisher medals, free of charge, to all races hosting an Aliant Futures Series event. RunNB also gave a reduction in the adult day fees payable by the race organizers, if an Aliant Futures Series event was included. This project was a huge success, resulting in hundreds of boys and girls running in RunNB events in 2008.
Many thanks go to each of our committee members, who continue to devote many volunteer hours to help RunNB better serve the NB running population. Also, at the heart of running in New Brunswick are the many race directors and numerous volunteers who make each race possible. RunNB acknowledges and expresses its appreciation to all of these volunteers, who make it possible for road racing to thrive in New Brunswick.
If you are interested in receiving a copy of the RunNB financial report for 2008, it will be available by early December 2008. Please contact Gilles Gautreau at gille@anb.ca to request a copy.