Runs

ON THE RUN IN… Fredericton

December 22, 2009
By Charles Mandel

Some “f” words might enter your head when running in Fredericton, N.B. Uh, not that kind, but rather, fast and flat. With some 80 kilometres of trail, mostly following the broad and scenic Saint John River, the city offers comfortable running with beautiful vistas. The Capital City Road Runners meet every Wednesday and Saturday for recreational jaunts and go for a meal after to help offset all that glycogen depletion.

The city is also home to one of the country’s most unusual marathons, the definitely unsanctioned, but aptly and cruelly named Not the Honolulu Marathon. The event takes place in mid-December and includes a half-marathon and 10K as well. New Brunswick’s capital also hosts a spring marathon - the Fredericton Marathon, in May.

Also noteworthy among the many races held over the season in this competitive city is the Race Against the Reds, a 5K cross-country dash in Odell Park, allowing runners to test their mettle against the University of New Brunswick’s hardened cross-country team.

These three routes come courtesy of the Capital City Road Runners, who use the University of New Brunswick Lady Beaverbrook Gym as their starting point.

Short

Two Rivers 5K

This is an out-and-back run. From the University of New Brunswick LB Gym front steps, go to the University Gates and cross the street to the northwest corner and head north on the walking trail. Staying on the trail, you’ll cross the Saint John River on the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge and continue past the Trail Visitor Centre. Shortly past that, turn hard right onto the Gibson Trail and keep the soccer field on your left. Continue on the trail and onto the walking bridge across the Nashwaak River. The 2.5K mark is at the far end of the bridge. Turn here and retrace your steps for a 5K run.

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Medium

Two Bridges 10K

From the UNB gym front steps, go to the University Gates and cross the street to the northeast corner and head east on the walking trail toward Waterloo Row. Follow Waterloo Row, crossing over to the trail along the green and continue until you reach the Bill Thorpe walking bridge. Take the walking ramp up onto the bridge and follow the trail across the bridge. Continue past the Trail Visitor Centre. Shortly past the Trail Centre, swing left on the North Riverfront Trail and continue on the trail until you reach Lynn Street, which is opposite the on-ramp to the Westmorland Street Bridge. Cross Main Street at the lights and run on the sidewalk up the bridge ramp and across the bridge.

Head down the ramp and turn right along the trail and head east on the South Riverfront Trail. Once you reach the Bill Thorpe walking bridge, take the ramp onto the bridge and turn right on the trail back toward the UNB gym.

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Long

Marysville Loop 14.3K

From the UNB Gym front steps, go to the University Gates and cross the street to the Northeast corner and head east on the walking trail toward Waterloo Row.  Follow Waterloo Row, cross over to the trail along the green and continue until you reach the Bill Thorpe walking bridge. Take the walking ramp onto the bridge and take the trail across the bridge. Continue on past the Trail Visitor Centre

Shortly past the Trail Centre, turn hard right onto the Gibson Trail, keeping the soccer field on your left. Continue on the trail and onto the walking bridge across the Nashwaak River. Continue on the Gibson trail heading east. The trail turns north as it follows the Nashwaak River toward Marysville. At Marysville, cross west across the Nashwaak River and then head south along the Nashwaak trail, following the trail all the way back to the Trail Centre, then onto the Bill Thorpe walking bridge and straight on to the UNB gym.

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To Stay

Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook  (659 Queen Street): That’s quite a mouthful, but the hotel is newly renovated, has a nice boutique feel to it, features all the amenities and is right downtown next to the city’s running trails.

Delta Fredericton (225 Woodstock Road): Everything you could want in a large hotel near the city centre.

Carriage House Inn (230 University Avenue): A 133-year-old Victorian mansion within walking distance of downtown and adjacent to the running trails, the Carriage House Inn is a wonderful bed and breakfast experience.

To Eat

The Blue Door (100 Regent Street): A trendy downtown eatery offering local cuisine such as lobster and fiddlehead linguini and roast halibut.

Isaac’s Way (73 Carleton Street): Laid-back community-friendly resto that supports all kinds of charity events and serves wonderful dishes and offers an extensive vegetarian menu. It’s also a favourite weekend brunch place with the local running community.

Asia Beef Noodle (624 Queen Street): A no-frills but delicious Vietnamese and Thai restaurant with fast and friendly service and excellent wonton soup.

The Palate (462 Queen Street): From Digby scallops to tofu “meatloaf (with garlic mashed potatoes and a roast onion sauce), this downtown restaurant offers large portions of comfort food.

To Drink

Fredericton is a university town, so there’s no shortage of places to hang out, but the most reliable might be the:

Snooty Fox (66 Regent Street): A cosy English pub right in the city centre.