2025 | Raymond Caissie

The Relentless Runner from Cap Lumière

By Donald Wade - August 2025

 

Early Passion for Exercise

Raymond Caissie’s love for movement started before most kids even thought about exercise. In first grade, his teacher asked the class, “Who exercised this morning?” Out of all the small hands, only Raymond’s shot up. His morning workout? Stretching and push-ups—a tiny seed of discipline that would one day grow into a lifelong passion.

Challenges and Sacrifices

Life, however, had other plans for young Raymond. In seventh grade, he had to leave school to help his father fish and work in the fish factories. Thirteen children in the family meant every pair of hands counted. School wasn’t his favourite place anyway, but looking back, he sometimes wonders if more education might have led him to racing sooner.

Rediscovering Running

From the fishing docks, he moved on to carpentry in the U.S. Years later, after establishing himself as a carpenter in the United States, Raymond rediscovered his passion for running. He eventually built his own construction company. His days were long and exhausting, but the ocean was his running track. Before dinner—or sometimes as late as 11 p.m.—he’d hit the beach, his footprints vanishing in the moonlit tide, only to rise at 6 a.m. for another hard day’s work.

First Real Test

Raymond’s first real test came almost by accident. At a triathlon in Kouchibouguac Park, he was set to paddle the canoe leg. But when his team needed a runner, he stepped up. He’d been practicing on the dunes at night, so he felt ready—except for one small problem: his shirt’s sleeves were too tight. Without hesitation, he handed it to a young woman to cut them off with scissors. Freed from the fabric, Raymond stormed through the course and crossed the line in third place.

 

Chasing Competition

From then on, he chased the thrill of competition. In one of his first 10K races in St-Isidore, he lost third place by a single second—along with a $75 prize—because he didn’t know there was money on the line. In another event, he found himself battling the legendary Patty Blanchard, and in the Montreal Marathon, he learned the hard way that starting too fast can cripple your race. At the halfway mark, his legs seized in cramps, yet he still finished in 3:45—fast enough to qualify for Boston. He would go on to run that famous race three times.

Training Philosophy

To sharpen his performance, Raymond embraced cross-country skiing for stamina, yoga for flexibility, and even backward running on the track to boost his acceleration. His philosophy is simple but effective: train every day, race often, warm up well, and respect rest.

Memorable Victories

And race often he did. Raymond is the most decorated runner in Miramichi River Runners history, collecting 24 titles across multiple age categories, setting a Canadian record for the 70+ mile in 5:54, and posting personal bests that most runners would envy—like a 5:09 mile and a 16:49 5K. He even has a race named in his honour: The Raymond Caissie Mile Race. Raymond was named MRR Runner of the Year seven times, a testament to his consistent excellence among hundreds of competitors in the region.

Continued Passion

Some of his most memorable victories came when no one expected them—like the time he surged past two elite runners halfway through a 10K to win outright, or when he finished 30th out of 2,500 at the opening of the Confederation Bridge in 1999, only to return the following year and win the whole race.

Philosophy on Running

Today, at 77, Raymond still runs with the same fire that carried him through those late-night beach runs decades ago. He lives in Cap Lumière, New Brunswick. He has two daughters, Annick and Melissa. Raymond serves as living proof that age is no barrier when passion fuels the stride.

Inspiration to Others

“Running is worth it,” Raymond says. “It keeps you in shape, keeps you off medication, and forces you to push yourself. And when you’re done, walk on the beach, breathe the fresh air, meet people, and let the salt water heal you. That’s living.”

Raymond's lifelong dedication to running not only brought him personal fulfillment but also inspired countless others in his community to pursue active, healthy lives.

 

In 2010, RunNB awarded Raymond with the "Personal Achievement Award"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raymond Pics
  15Km de Grande-Digue 2013
 
15Km de Grande-Digue 2014 - Link 15Km de Grande-Digue 2012 - Link
15Km de Grande-Digue 2011 - Link