CAPE BRETON HISTORY
Maryann Corbett walks again.
I first wrote about New Waterford native and walking racer Maryann Corbett two years ago. She was 69 years old in 1929 when she completed a marathon walking race from Glace Bay to Sydney.
She walked from New Waterford to the Bay, did the race, then walked back home to New Waterford. By my reckoning she probably walked more than 50 kilometres that day.
I heard from people for months afterwards about that story. Some simply couldn’t believe it but I had the clippings, saw photos of her and the trophy which she received at the New Waterford Historical Society Museum.
Maryann Corbett walked the walk.
Shortly after the column came out, the Beaton Institute at Cape Breton University found a terrific silent film of the walking race. Hundreds of people are seen watching the racers cross the finish line. Thousands probably came out to watch. Many local walkers and some from Halifax are mentioned by captions in the film.
Towards the end of the short movie sequence, the filmmaker notes Mrs. Corbett rounding a corner near the race end. There she is walking at a good clip in her long black coat, black hat and handbag.
It’s quite obvious the 69-yearold walker was a serious competitor in the sport. The caption notes she turned at George Street, “amid thunderous applause.” I’ve occasionally wondered who made that film back in 1929.
Since then, with the help of the Beaton Institute, I’ve been able to learn more about this walking race.
A newspaper clipping surfaced describing the rules of the 1929 Glace Bay to Sydney “heel to toe classic,” days before it was to be held. Walkers were to be in Glace Bay at the South Street baseball field starting line a half hour before the 2 p.m. start to obtain their number and get prepared. Anyone not at the start by then would be “declared out of the marathon.”
Officials were in place at various points along the race route to Sydney making sure contestants were following the “heel and toe rule.” The race was strictly meant for walking and one foot had to be on the ground at all times. Anyone who disregarded the rules would get two warnings and on the third offence would be disqualified.
The road from Glace Bay to Sydney was patrolled by “motor police, firemen, boy scouts and a number of local cyclists.” Drivers helping with the race were given a special pennant to affix to their cars to give them right of way on the Glace Bay highway.
The chief clerk of the course was Andy Watson. Mayor Morrison of Glace Bay was the starter. There were five men charged with timing the race. Race judges included Mayors McConnell and Waddin, Roy Chappell, race organizer and sponsor Dave Epstein, and others.
The race referee was Theo Sodero and Deputy Chief RJ MacDonald was course marshal. Four local doctors were in attendance in case medical assistance was needed. This was a professionally organized race event.
Following the race, a banquet was held at the recently opened Isle Royale Hotel in Sydney with the awarding of prizes in various categories. Hotel management requested people make reservations early. Local businesses donated prizes including a trophy cup by clothing merchant Dave Epstein. The finish line was opposite Epstein’s newly opened store on Charlotte Street.
“Moving pictures of the whole race,” according to the newspaper, were to be taken by “local movie man” Harry McNeil and would eventually be shown at the Palace Theatre.
This of course more or less solves the mystery of who was shooting walking races films in Cape Breton in 1929.
As for Maryann Corbett, did she stay in Sydney and go to the “informal dress” banquet”? I doubt she did since other stories indicate she walked back home to New Waterford that evening.
Perhaps a local track and field group or running club would consider putting on a walking race next summer in her honour.
With the newly finished Cape Breton Regional Municipality active transport multi-use trail connecting most of that same race route now (free of motor vehicles), it would be the perfect location.
And just last month CBRM officially renamed the paved pathway, the Maryann Corbett Trail.