2022 Annual Report

Donald Wade

November 19, 2022

Introduction

RunNB returned to a more normal calendar of activities this year.  Surely the number of races on the RunNB calendar is less than the one that we have known pre pandemic.  Some races will probably never come back, but most have ridden the storm and have returned, weakened but determined to become stronger both in number of participants and with more new, engaged and energized volunteers.  RunNB’s motto ‘For a Healthier New Brunswick’ will remain front and center in the actions that will guide our organisation forward.  RunNB wants to engage the maximum number of runners and walkers in its activities, whether they be competitive runners or recreational runners/walkers and thus help maintain them in good health and fit, both physically and mentally.

1.     Meetings and Committee Composition

The RunNB Committee held five Zoom Meetings during the year, on February 28, April 27, August 24, October 24 and November 3 and took care of daily, weekly business on the Messenger Chat group. 

The RunNB 2021 Committee was made up of 9 members.  Daniel Violette acted as Vice-Chairman in charge of the Super Series and Championship programs; Michel Robichaud filled the role of Treasurer; Nathalie Boivin acted as Secretary; Gilles Gautreau was responsible for statistics and our website; GinetteThériault-Roy, social media and youth running; Bruce Macfarlane, Annual Banquet, Brian Richard, Hall of Fame and Donald Wade as Chairperson.

2.     Calendar Races

Sixty-four (64) race directors posted their event this year on the RunNB calendar and submitted their results.  Many race directors offered more than one distance at their event; in total, 172 different distances were offered to runners on the RunNB race calendar.  A total of 6702 runners crossed the finish line, females, 3557 and males, 3145.  The 50-59 age group is the most numerous to register for races while the 20-29 age group is the lowest in number.  The table below indicate the number of registered runners, male and female, from 2018 to 2022. 

The following table indicates the number of registered runners by age group in 2022, male and female, in the four main distances on the RunNB calendar.  The 5 km distance was the most popular race attracting about 40% of registered runners. 

3.    The 2022 RunNB Challenge

200 participants registered for the 2022 Challenge that encompassed NB, PEI and NS.  RunNB was hopeful that participants from our neighbouring provinces would join in but very few did.  Nevertheless, the Challenge was a success considering the number of km some participants ran or walked during the year long trek of 4000 km total. About 50% completed or will complete either the 1200 km, the 2000 km or more than 4000 km.  Twelve runners/walkers have covered more than 6000 km.

The following table shows the number of registered runners/walkers for the 2022 Challenge by age group and covering the period of January to October.   

4.    Championship and Super Series Programs

Five distances make up the RunNB Championship Program: the 5 km, 5 miles, 10 km, 21, km and 42.2 km.  Cash prizes were offered to the first three positions, female and male.

Fifteen races were given the Super Series status for this year.  Runners who registered for these events accumulated points with the hope of achieving first, second or third place in their age group and thus receive a prize at the annual banquet.   Double points were granted to those who registered and ran Championship races.  A minimum of 5 races is necessary to qualify for a year-end prize in this program.

5.     RunNB Membership Card

RunNB has 266 members, 33 of whom bought a 3-year subscription, and 4, a lifetime.  The objective is to reach 500 members by 2025.  If you are not a RunNB member yet, we urge you to become one.

Running Room and Sports Experts have confirmed that they will continue to sponsors the RunNB Membership Card in a renewed contract.  Sportchek may offer employee prices to RunNB members when the promotion is offered once or twice a year.

6.     Sponsors

RunNB is very appreciative of the majors sponsors who contributed financially to the success of our programs

• The NB Medical Society: $10 000$ for medals for Small Strides, Healthy Lives and Super Series
• Running Room, NB stores: Membership card 20% discount on running equipment
• Sports Experts, NB stores: Membership card 20% discount on running equipment
• Trackie Inc. : Bibs and championship race medals.

7.     RunNB’s Race Director’s Guide

The guide is presently being reviewed by Julia Loparco, RunNB’s Executive Director.  The guide needed to be reviewed in light of the new policies and procedures put in place during the past three years. We hope to present it to race directors/organizers in the New Year via Zoom regional meetings in both French and English.

8.     Course Measurer’s Workshop

Eight measurers participated in a Zoom workshop led by Laurent Lacroix of Athletics Canada. The group met twice and shared techniques in measuring courses.  RunNB invested in two tool boxes for the use of measurers. A list of qualified measurers will be posted on our website in the New Year.

9.     New Records Page

Gilles Gautreau, RunNB’s statistician, worked on the RunNB Records page so that results are posted either as NB Records, meaning the fastest times on a certified course respecting the World Athletics regulated courses or as Road Bests indicating that the race was run on a non certified course.  Gilles would appreciate the help of record holders to determine if their record is an NB Record or a road best.

10.     Web site, Facebook Page

RunNB’s website and Facebook was kept up to date with the latest news, announcements, or articles on running.  Special thanks to all who contributed in making the website and the Facebook page an attractive, informative and popular social media.  The Facebook page attracts a lot of visitors due to its timely and informative posts, with some posts attracting more than 6000 visits and 1000 interactions.  The RunNB website also attracts a lot of visitors.  Here are the stats for 2022 for the RunNB website so far.

Conclusion

RunNB will move forward strategically and will try to achieve success in all areas of activities.  The new RunNB Board is confident that the future looks bright for our organization. The New Brunswick running community will continue to grow with the important contribution of race directors/organizers who will continue to put on great running events with the support of runners from all regions of this province who will register and travel to those events.