Maritime Race Weekend gives Tidal Trail race separate date… registration already open
This year, the Maritime Race Weekend Tidal Trail 15K was a hit. It's on again for next year and registration is already open
Introducing a new 15K to Maritime Race Weekend was a huge success. The event sold out and runners raved about the spectacular scenery and flat terrain. Colour coding bibs to sort runners by pace worked out marvelously and limited the amount of passing and maximized the enjoyment of the route for everyone. The energy of the runners rippled through the crowd and there was even an exciting tie at the finish.
RELATED: Tie for first place at Maritime Race Weekend’s Tidal Trail 15
As the race director, I couldn’t have been happier, even though I started seeing black dots and thought I might collapse about 30 minutes into the race. The only downside of adding this afternoon event to our existing double race weekend was behind the scenes and likely went unnoticed by the runners. It was the exhaustion of the team. Though we tried hard not to show it on race day, the recovery has been a slow one.
As a seasoned team, we’re used to putting in long hours. Hey, that’s no bigger. By long hours, I’m talking 18-hour days in the month leading up to race day. Beyond that, there’s 14 or more hours of physical and mental work on the actual day. That was before I added a trail race into the mix. With the addition of the afternoon event, the core team put in a 20-hour day, working from 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Needless to say, it was draining. (Not to mention, I have the best team ever.) About 18 hours into race day, it was already unanimous among our core team: the Tidal Trail needed to be on its own day.
After some post-race discussion, I came down on a final decision: the Tidal Trail was so well received that we should expand it to include a 10K option and make it a stand-alone event. For a minute there, I entertained expanding the event to a third day, but I decided against that for a number of reasons.
I’ve already picked a date.
Sunday, June 3, 2018 will be the new date for the Tidal Trail Run. Runners can choose a morning 10K or afternoon 15K. Both routes are flat and along the causeway. For logistical reasons, the two distances will be started at different times and a 5K option will not be offered on the trail.
The swag and medals are already being designed (I’m on it!) and will not disappoint. The race is capped and expected to sell-out early again this year.
Even thought the date of the Tidal Trail Run will change, the location will not. With the meticulously groomed trail and breathtaking scenery – it’s the best salt-infused air Nova Scotia has to offer. Money raised from the Tidal Trail Run will be given to the local trail association to maintain our favorite running oasis.
What will happen to the beloved Tartan Trio? It’s been shelved for now, but registration is open for both Maritime Race Weekend and the Tidal Trail Run. Get in before it sells out.
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