Records fall at 40th anniversary of Fredericton marathon

Despite having to change the course at the last minute due to flooding, Sunday’s 40th running of the Scotiabank Fredericton Marathon was a resounding success, with multiple course records broken by local New Brunswick runners in the marathon, half-marathon, 10K and mile distances. In addition, 29.12 per cent of finishers scored a Boston qualifying time.

RELATED: Local Ryan O’Shea PBs despite mid-race stop, wins 2017 Fredericton Marathon

Jean-Marc Doiron of Moncton won the men’s marathon in 2:33.45, beating the previous course record by almost a minute in the process, and also earning him RunNB’s provincial men’s marathon championship title. Doiron had had his sights set on winning Fredericton since his third-place finish last year. In an interesting twist, Doiron traded places with last year’s winner, Ryan O’Shea of New Maryland, who was third this year. (James MacLellan of Oromocto was second.) 

Heather O’Donnell of Meadowvale, N.S. won the women’s marathon for the second year running, in 2:59.42. Emily James of Rothesay, N.B. was second with 3:02.10, and with it she earned RunNB provincial women’s marathon championship.

Lee Wesselius of River Glade won the men’s half-marathon with a time of 1:11.08, and also broke the course record in that distance as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX8jFkXB-78/?hl=en&taken-by=lee_wesselius

And in the 10K, Shelley Doucet of Quispamsis broke the women’s 10K record for this event with a time of 35:57. According to her Instagram post, entering the race was a last-minute decision.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiuCzJmhw9O/?hl=en&taken-by=runner.mom.nurseprof

A record 285 people crossed the finish line in the marathon, this year, an increase of 56 finishers over last year.