Taking the first steps

Officials set Oct. 15-17 as weekend for popular race’s return

Preparations are underway for the 2021 Prince Edward Island Marathon.

Organizers have set Oct. 15-17 as marathon weekend and hope to open registration by March.

“There’s tons of people reaching out that are excited that we’re even talking about it,” said race director Myrtle Jenkins-Smith. “It is our hope and goal and wish to offer something for 2021. We know it won’t look the same as 2019, where we had 2,800 people here, however, what can we safely do that meets the guidelines of our public health office?”

The marathon didn’t occur in 2020 due to COVID-19, but officials said from the get-go it was a pause and they would be back when it was safe to resume the popular fall activity.

“We have to start now because there’s a lot of planning to do,” Jenkins-Smith said. “There’s a lot of balls up in the air right now, but we’re starting the process to get ourselves up and running.”

The marathon office at the Royalty Centre (House of Sport) closed in March when COVID-19 hit, but there are plans to open it back up later this month. Officials met at least once a month since March, and there were about a dozen meetings last month.

“It is a very detailed and complex event,” Jenkins-Smith said.

After it decided to cancel the 2020 marathon, officials had to reimburse sponsors and registration fees for participants. Jenkins-Smith said a lot of the 400-plus people who had registered by March for 2020 decided to leave their money with the marathon for their 2021 spot.

Jenkins-Smith said marathon officials were lucky they cancelled the event before some expenses, like T-shirts and medals, were ordered for the fall. She said it was able to pay its bills without running a deficit and has started to reach out to sponsors for 2021.

“We have been extremely fortunate that for all 16 years our private sector has stepped up,” Jenkins-Smith said. “They have been tremendously supportive.”

The Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax is usually held on the Victoria Day weekend in May, but it has moved its date this year to Nov. 6-8.

The Boston Marathon has also pushed the 125th race from April to Monday, Oct. 11, if road races are allowed at that point.