2009 Annual Report

RunNB continues to operate as a committee of Athletics New Brunswick and is comprised of a Chairperson (Gilles Gautreau), Treasurer (Paul Lavoie), Policy Advisor (Daryl Steeves) and Event Advisor (Mike Doyle).  This was the second consecutive year in which RunNB utilized the services of Adam Stacey in the paid position of Executive Director. 

RunNB operated in 2009 on an annual budget of approximately $15,000.00, and received revenue from race participants and sponsors.  Funds were 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 1000 copies of the Road Racing Calendar booklet, listing a record number of 50 events from April 25 to November 1, 2009.  Each listing included significant information about the event, in many cases showing course record-holders. 

Road races operated under the banner of RunNB in 2009 at distances ranging from one mile to 42.2 kilometers, and were hosted in 31 different communities.  Saint John hosted 10 of the 50 events during the year, more than any other community.

Races attracted varying numbers of runners.  Just 13 competitors participated in Moncton’s March de la Vie.  The Legs for Literacy event in Moncton attracted 1281 runners in all events, while the Fredericton Marathon field was 938, and Marathon by the Sea had 720 runners.

The 2009 RunNB Road Racing season ended on November 1, with 7950 participants running in 51 events, for an average of 156 runners per event.  The 2009 total of 7950 compares with total numbers from previous years as follows:

2008 – 7200
2007 – 7500
2006 – 7400 
2005 – 6500
2004 – 5300 

RunNB’s three-year contract with the Alex Coffin Fitness Shop ended at the end of 2009.  A new sponsor is being sought for 2010 and beyond.  The “SuperSeries”, under which runners accumulate points within their age category, and standings are updated after each race on the website, has proven to be a significant motivation for many runners. 

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 2009 the top female in the Timex series was Paula Keating, while Todd Power 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.

2009 was the fourth 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 2009 to provincial champions.

The “Aliant Futures Series” continued in 2009 without extra support from Aliant, therefore we will most likely be looking for another sponsor for the 2010 season.   We had enough medals / bibs to make it through the year based on leftovers from previous years. This project encouraged race directors to hold events for boys and girls 14 years of age and under, at distances from one kilometer to three kilometers. RunNB supplied race bibs and finisher medals, free of charge, to all races hosting an Aliant Futures Series event.

This year, RunNB formed a partnership with the Miramichi River Runners (MRR), a club that has been organizing its own running series for over 25 years. The MRR organizes 20 events over the course of the year totaling an additional 600 runners that now fall under the RunNB banner. A similar partnership was formed with le Demi-marathon de l’Acadie, which has run a half-marathon every month of the year since November 1987. This event takes place in Tracadie-Sheila and has attracted mostly local runners, but since joining RunNB, organizers have indicated that the number of participants has increased. In 2009, the Northern NB event will register close to 200 participants.

For the first time since the mid-80’s RunNB has planned an awards banquet, set to take place in Moncton on November 13th. RunNB hopes this event will see 150 followers of the 2009 provincial road racing circuit enjoy an end-of-year celebration. This event will showcase some of the runners who have distinguished themselves during this season and two past runners will be inducted in the RunNB Hall of Fame, a new feature introduced this year. The two inductees for 2009 will be Joe McGuire of Woodstock and Eunice Phillips of Fredericton.

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.

Gilles Gautreau
RunNB Chairperson