The Thunder Bay Miles with the Giant marathon has a new course and possibly new credibility on the North American running map.
Race chairman Barry Streib on Wednesday said rather than have racers complete the same 13.1-mile loop twice, this year the race has stretched into the south side of the city through Chapples Park, a move they hope will attract more international racers to the Sept. 23 event.
“We did have a goal to do that from the start of this event. It took us a couple of years to get there, that’s fine,” Streib said.
“We’re here now and we’re hoping it’s going to attract a lot more of our full marathon runners to the event, making this event grow and prosper in the future for this community and the region.”
Streib said a major factor in reconfiguring the race course was ensuring they kept the original 13.1-mile section that runners had fallen in love with, winding through the city’s north core and wrapping around Boulevard Lake.
“That was such a nice course to begin with, going around Boulevard Lake and the lakefront. But we also wanted to make sure when we expanded to the full 26.2 miles, that we retained that kind of scenic view,” he said.
“That’s why we kind of developed the course through the college grounds, the university grounds and around Chapples. That gives the runners a nice experience when they’re running. And we really heard that kind of feedback from the community, that’s the kind of course they would like to see developed.
The added credibility will come later this summer, he hopes, if and when Athletics Canada chooses to certify the course as a qualifier for several prestigious long distance races, including the Boston Marathon.
It’s always been the goal, Streib said.
“Our running community were very strong in their opinion about that, and we definitely listened. We wanted to make sure we did that certification when we have that full 26.2-mile course developed, and we do believe that’s going to attract more elite and serious runners to this event,” he said.
Director of logistics Gary Woodbeck said the full race course came with plenty of hurdles.
“The first was making sure we didn’t shut down any major thoroughfares in the city, and trying not to disrupt as many people as possible,” Woodbeck said. “The south course, the vast majority is through the trail system we have through the city. It makes it easier for road closures, it makes it easier for the amount of volunteers you need.”
Also new this year is the five-member marathon relay category, which will join the half-marathon, 10-kilometre and five-kilometre races.
Sponsors and volunteers are still needed, Streib added, noting online registration is open at www.thunderbaymarathon.com. Racers also have the option to take part in the Run for a Reason charity pledge program, directing the money they raise to one of five different non-profit organizations.
