On the Run in… Moncton

With good reason, Moncton calls itself the Hub City. Located in south-eastern New Brunswick, Moncton is positioned as the centre of the Maritimes, making it equally accessible from Halifax, Charlottetown, Saint John and Fredericton. No wonder then that the generally flat AstraZeneca Legs for Literacy Marathon in October is New Brunswick’s largest event. A riverside trail system highlights the city’s extensive wetlands and eventually leads runners to the hills of Francophone sister-city Dieppe, for those seeking a more challenging workout.

Short – Downtown (5K)
This flat route from the Running Room (300 Main St.) runs right through Moncton’s city centre heading out along aptly named Main Street before taking a right on Givan. Another right places you on Burlington, which becomes Gordon and then Queen. A third right to Lewis followed by a left back onto to Main returns you home again.

Medium – University (10K)

This easy-to-follow course takes you through some of Moncton’s major streets while looping around the university. Leave the Running Room heading down Main Street to a right on Lewis and then left on Queen. Go from Queen to Archibald, which changes to Universite Avenue. Follow that to the Cowley Farm roundabout, and go right onto Morton Avenue. Turn right on McLaughlin Drive, which becomes Elmwood Drive. Go right on Donald Drive, which turns into Church Street. Turn left on Mountain Road, which becomes King Street, take the left on Main and you’re done.

Long – Hypothermic Half (21K)

Used for the annual Hypothermic Half, this hilly route begins in Dieppe at the Ecole Anna-Malenfant. Make a series of left turns following each of these streets: Centrale to Melanson to Dieppe Boulevard to Chartersville to Keith to Maurice. Do a loop around Maurice back to Keith and then continue to follow each street again taking lefts: Chartersville to Bourque, to Eunice, then right on Eunice to Horizon, another right on Horizon to Chartersville and left to Centrale. Do 2 laps of this route to get the full 21K distance.

ON THE TOWN

Races
Besides the annual marathon (which also includes a half-marathon and 10K and 5K races), Moncton hosts numerous 5K and 10K races. The most storied of these is the George Gallant 10K in nearby Shediac during the town’s annual Lobster Fest.

Shopping
The Running Room (300 Main St.) and Cleve’s Source for Sports (52 Wyse Rd.) provide a selection of shoes and gear.

Eating
Moncton has many excellent restaurants. The Calactus Cafe (125 Church St.) is a vegetarian hot-spot. The Pump House Restaurant (5 Orange Lane) features its own microbrewed beer. The Tide & Boar Gastropub (700 Main St.) offers a generous selection of drinks along with its upscale pub grub such as boar poutine. Finally, Relish Gourmet Burgers (806 Main St.) includes a Moncton signature burger called the Hubdinger with cheese curds and back bacon.