Miramichi Touque
December 8th, 2016

By Brian Richard

Miramichi--The Miramichi River Runners at one time used to host up to 26 races a year. Any runner who completed all 26 runs was declared an "MRR Ironman".  

It was quite a commitment to participate in all of these races, so in 2012, Dr.Tanya Wood decided to make something special for the runners who achieved the title.

She got out some graph paper, yarn and knitting needles and designed a hat for the two winners that year (Ralph Williston and Paul Comeau).

Since then it has become an annual tradition. The MRR currently hold 16 races a year and the number of Ironmen continues to grow. As of this year there have been 19 recipients in total.

Ralph Williston holds the most titles having won 4 times. “This year several people told me they were vying for the award so I started knitting in April to make sure I had them all done in time for the December awards ceremony” said Dr.Wood.

Each hat takes about 20 hours to complete. There were a record 7 winners in 2016. “It made me so happy to hear some of the runners cross the line at that last race of the year and exclaim, "I'm getting a toque!", said Dr. Wood.

Tanya lives in Ludlow and along with her Husband Bradley make the trek to Miramichi for each of the club’s races.  She has her medical practice in Doaktown.

Miramichi Ironmen(L-R)Raymond Caissie, Nicole MacCullam,Sondra Craig,Dr.Tanya Wood,Arlene Donaher, Sue Crowder and Ralph Williston