Runners take on runDisney-like challenge at Marathon by the Sea

Like the popular runDisney multi-day race challenges, New Brunswick’s Marathon by the Sea had its own version of combination races on back-to-back-to-back days.

Known as the Port City Challenge, the Saint John-based race challenged runners to complete distances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Starting off with the Into the Night 5K on Friday, participants then completed the Harbour Passage 5K on Saturday followed by one of three options – quarter-marathon, half-marathon or marathon – on the Sunday.

The three-day challenge is similar to the runDisney-themed races in the United States including the Goofy Challenge, the Rebel Challenge and the Pixie Challenge, to name a few. At Marathon by the Sea, successful participants receive four medals, all of which fit together like a puzzle to produce the lighthouse-themed souvenir. Plus, an embroidered hoodie, T-shirt and hat were awarded to the brave runners who did the trifecta.

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In the marathon, Halifax Road Hammers’ Matt McNeil won by 20 minutes in his 42K debut clocking 2:37:09. His goal was to hit the Boston Marathon qualifying mark for 2018, which he did with tens of minutes to spare. Maritimerunner.ca calls Marathon by the Sea the “toughest course in the region.” McNeil is a sub-69-minute half-marathoner.

Charlotte Mawer won the women’s marathon for the second consecutive year in 3:34:53

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Full results can be found here.