Destination Race

Demi-Marathon de l’Acadie, Tracadie, N.B.

On Nov. 1, 1987, Edmond Morais and Rhéal Sivret challenged themselves to run from their home village of St-Isidore on northeastern New Brunswick ’s Acadian Peninsula to Tracadie, a distance of 21 kilometres. Thus began the Demi-marathon de l ’Acadie, ( dma) organized by Morais for the next five years. Then, Jean-Marie and Marcelle Breau took over, and the dma has taken place every month since, without interruption, regularly attracting 30 to 40 runners, even in bad weather. April 4 was to have marked the 390th running, but the April and May editions were held virtually. The race will celebrate its 400th edition on Feb. 7, 2021. The best part: it takes place on the first Sunday of every month, year-round. Rain or shine, elite and recreational runners alike meet in Tracadie on the first Sunday of every month and carpool to St-Isidore for the 10 a.m. start except in July and August, when the race starts an hour earlier to avoid the summer heat. Admittedly, the race has occasionally been postponed to the following Sunday due to bad weather, but it has never been cancelled.

The Athletics Canada-certified, net-downhill course starts around 70 metres above sea level and undulates with rolling hills as it leads east toward Tracadie, which is at sea level. The course leads runners across the bridge in downtown Tracadie, where they can admire the fishing f leet docked at the marina in summer, then through the town until they reach the finish line near the pool at the S. A. Dionne sports complex. There are three hydration stations staffed by volunteers, a portable toilet at the start and free showers at the finish. Chip timing is used when more than 70 runners are expected.

Cordiality and service are the hallmarks of the dma. Runners get to know each other as they carpool to the start line and at the post-race lunch (included with your $15 registration fee – surely one of the best values we’ve seen) and awards. This is a predominantly French-speaking part of New Brunswick, but there are plenty of bilingual runners who go out of their way to make non-French-speakers feel welcome.

Medals are awarded to the first three finishers, male or female, and to the first three women. Men completing their 100th dma and women their 50th receive a special plaque, and there is a draw for a free entry at every race. In December, $50 cash prizes are drawn based on the total number of registrations for the year. Runners dress up i n holiday-themed apparel, and kids join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a fun run to the finish. A $100 cash prize is offered to every thousandth runner, and occasionally a special, commemorative gift for all registered runners. Souvenir photos are posted on the race’s Facebook page and website ( demi-marathon.anb.ca).

In October 2012, the course record of 1:07:55 was set by Réjean Chiasson, who now coaches the Pace and Mind club in Toronto but is originally from the region. The women’s course record belongs to 2:38 marathoner, nursing professor, mother of two and local heroine Shelley Doucet of Quispamsis, N.B., set at 1:18:2 4 in September 2018. A $100 cash prize is offered to the next record breaker.

The dma’s enduring appeal is thanks largely to the organizers’ dedication over the last 28 years. Breau ran in the second race, and has completed it 386 times. His wife, Marcelle, completed her 100th running on March 1. With the advent of social media, the race has become better known, now attracting runners from across the Maritimes, Maine and even Saskatchewan.

Breau is amazed at the success of this enduring race. “We have a great organizing committee made up of runners and former runners who are committed to offering the best service to runners who register for our race each month,” he said. “Runners return to the dma because they enjoy the family atmosphere, the exchange with other runners on improvement techniques, the competitive yet friendly environment and the laughs.”

Runners with a bucket list should definitely include the Demimarathon de l’Acadie. It would be difficult to find a more convivial race, with so many benefits, in such beautiful surroundings and at such a bargain.