I'm very surprized as the track & road event had been planned a long time ago. Runners like the GREAT ALEX COFFIN , Dean
Strowbridge , Joe Burke , Frank Kelly to name a few must wonder the same thing ! The Marathon by The Sea has always been a 1st class organization & one of my favorite races. This track & road international event with representation from 17 countries was a UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR MANY ATHLETES & I can assure you that Bill with it's committee & volonteers has by far EXCEEDED my expectations ! I am totally impressed . Congratulations to the Bruce Raswall' s , Rob Jackson & many other runners for supporting this event ?
MY BIG QUESTION IS " Why have the MARATHON BY THE SEA ON THE SAME WEEKEND ? I'M STILL IN DISBELIEF ! I for one would have loved to run in the Marathon by The SEA weekend !
I really hope to get some feedback and of course an answer to my question! Sylvio Bourque

Sylvio
I am responding only on behalf of myself and not the Marathon by the Sea .The question you ask “why would two great event's be held on the same weekend could have been simply asked to the organizing committee .But seeing you felt fit to create negativity after a great group of volunteers gave countless hours to create a running event for all runners not just the great ones here's your answer. There was never a concern voiced on behalf of the Master's committee nor did any of the great runners you mentioned contact us or voice any concerns
Now some of the obstacles MBTS needs to consider, first off the Rockwood Park Pavilion is booked three years in advance so changing the event dates is not that easy (which we tried)and secondly many of the out of a province and out of country runners book travel arrangements based on the second Sunday of August.

As far as I am concerned your forum posting completely disrespects a group of more than 140 volunteers most of them non runners. I tend to respect those whose actions create a positive atmosphere

In closing I totally respect the Alex Coffin’s , Dean Strowbrige , Joe Burke and Frank Kelly’s and all the performance runners of New Brunswick their accomplishments speak for themselves. But there is a whole group who you do not speak for the fun runners and those that seek their own personal goals who sometimes get forgotten.
I would like to thank all our volunteers , participants and sponsors for a great job and making a difference in the running community
Sincerely Mike Doyle

Mike :
I saw you had great numbers again in the half marathon & 5 Miler . I appreciate your answer & understand exactly what you mean. The marathon by the Sea is a wonderful event & it's amazing St John could field all these volunteers on the same weekend.
When I saw Paulette Stoddard's marathon time , I felt so happy to see the Marathon by the Sea offer such an opportunity.
Long life to the Race Director , Organizing Committee & the Volunteers. You do such a great job !!
I never intended to disrespect anybody . I apologize if I did. Keep up the good work !!!!

I really don't see how Sylvio's comments disrespected anybody. It was an honest question and one which I had certainly asked myself.

I have some feedback which I hope is not also seen as disrespectful. Portapotties, where were they? In previous years there were many near the start at Rockwood Park. This year none. I walked down to the Pavillion at 7:40 and the queue for the 'ladies' was up the stairs, out through the building and down the road!!!! 5 minutes later there was an announcement to go to the start.
Many female runners have commented about this so please could this possibly be rectified for next year.

Mike,
no event is perfect, if you want to improve Marathon by the Sea, you need to be open to receiving and listening to feedback, no matter how personally offensive you may find it. If you just attack people who give you feedback then you won't get any constructive criticism from anyone else and you then won't be able to improve the race. I echo Sylvio's comments, I too would have liked to participate in both, however as it was, I was injured and unable to participate in either event other than as a volunteer.
And by the way, as a volunteer I am not at all offended by anything Sylvio said and I am completely non-plussed by why you think I should be.

Hi Mary
FYI There were 6 portapotties place beside the Big yellow tent.Sorry you did not see them.

Thought that I'd take the opportunity to chime in ... I surely understand where Sylvio is coming from as well as Mike's point. As part of the committee I know how much time, energy and effort went into organizing MBTS (I've been privileged to work with Mike and others now for three years) and hope that Syl can understand Mike's point. My way of looking at it is as such... Saint John and the running community of Saint John (and indeed the entire province of NB) has clearly demonstrated the ability to host and pull off 2 successful events in the City at the same time! This is truely amazing in my mind and should remain in our minds for future reference. The point that I would differ from Syl on is that he (amoung others) could have chosen to run either a 1/2 or a 5 miler at MBTS and therefore could have taken advantage of both great events, right? I was pleased to see Alex in the crowd of well-wishers at the start of MBTS so even though he chose not to run he demonstrated his support for the event! Syl also needs to understand Mike's point about the different populations that two such events attract... MBTS is for everyone; beginners, elite/seasoned runners and even non-runners where as the Masters well... is the Masters (speaks for itself). MBTS suffered no decrease in numbers as a result of the Masters and I hope that the oganizers of the Masters would say that MBTS did not interfere with their events. The reality is... that conflicts are inevitable and the fact that they exist is not the relevant point. What is however is that conflict can be overcome. I'm rambling but, in closing I have to say that sometimes we have to make choices regarding what events to participate in and truely hope that Syl won't take this matter to seriously and also hope that he joins us next year at MBTS. There's room for everyone!
Jim Miller

I appreciate your reply Jim & am well aware that a lot of work goes in the planning of the MBTS. It's a great point that the race weekend attracts participants of a variety of ages & abilities. We're all very fortunate dedicated committees & volunteers
make MBTS a 1st class event year after year.
Of course , I hope to be a participant in the MBTS next year & for years to come.
I'm happy to hear Alex made it to the start of the MBTS. Alex has for many years been a remarkable competitor at your event. I'm sure he has like I do many great memories of his participations. Thank you Jim , Mike & everybody involved in the MARATHON by the Sea for all your dedication!!!
Jim , thanks again for your feedback!!!

Good comments Sylvio, nothing to be sorry for.
Nice to see you at every race I attend.

Jim

I completely agree with you Sylvio, and I have been noticing this kind of thing all this year.

June 2nd was the Run NB 5km Provincial Championships and also the ANB NBIAA Championships, so no high school track athletes were able to go.
July 14th was the Run NB 10km Provincial Championships and also the ANB Provincial Track Championships & Legion National Qualifying Meet.

No I am not saying that races should have to change their dates to satisfy the ANB athletes and the 19 & under age group, but I can guarantee that if these competitions were separated by even just one day, it would increase the field of 19 and under athletes and lead to better development in future New Brunswick runners.

I have suggested a simple fix, yet somehow race directors see a problem with it. I suggest changing the races dates, starting in approx. 3 years, as I know courses are booked years in advance.

This one act would certainly result in better development for future New Brunswick runners, more participation, and a stronger field in Run NB provincial championship events.