More than 300 turn out for Brayon Cours
August 8th, 2017

By Andrew Wagstaff

Maritime Runner

Aug. 8, 2017

EDMUNDSTON, N.B. – Great weather and a great crowd usually translates into a successful running event, and this year’s annual Brayon Cours event benefited from both.

Unlike other parts of the Maritimes on Sunday, Aug. 6, Edmundston experienced no rainfall for its half marathon, 10K, 5K and 3K events, just cloudy skies and cooler temperatures welcomed by the many participants.

“We had about 50 new runners… and a total of over 300 people, which was cool,” said Anne-Marie Violette, part of the organizing team.

Francis Royal of Lac-Delage, Que. was the winner of the 5K race at the annual Brayon Cours in Edmundston, N.B. on Sunday, Aug. 6. Placing second was Dominic Jalbert (left) and Charles Roberge was third.

Photo courtesy of Brayon Cours on Facebook

“We had a lot of half marathoners too, more than last year, so these distances are getting much more popular.”

It was local runner Sebastien Blanchette who placed first in the half marathon, with a time of 1:27:46. He was followed by Luc Picard at 1:32:17, and Simon Boudreau at 1:34:12. The top female finisher was Valerie Messier of Temiscouata-sur-le-Lac, Que., with a time of 1:35:30, followed by Isabelle Thibault at 1:43:33, and Carole Fournier at 1:53:01.

For complete official results by Quid Chrono, visit here.

In the 10K, it was Steve Dumont of Pohenegamook, Que. finishing first with a time of 42:04, followed by Roy Clavette at 43:05, and Philippe Levesque at 46:44. The top female was Annie Dube of Saint-Eusebe, Que., with a time of 47:05, followed by Venise Laforge-Michaud at 48:23, and Lynn Theriault at 50:40.

The 5K winner was Francis Royal of Lac-Delage, Que., with a time of 18:02.

Royal was in the Edmundston area for a family reunion, and decided to check out the race.

“I like to participate in local events when I am traveling, just to feel the vibe of the community, to meet new runners, and work on my speed a bit,” he said. “I have been trail running oriented for 10 years and am mostly racing ultra distances.”

Royal set a fast pace for the first 500m and then ran the rest of the

way with last year’s winner, 18-year-old local runner Dominic Jalbert.

The pair ended up in a close finish, with Jalbert crossing the line only

two seconds behind.

“We chatted a bit during the race and we slowed down the pace until the last kilometer,” said Royal, 31. “I felt him fading a bit and I attacked the last 400m to cross the line first. It was a very slow race, but so fun to race against that young gun.”

Jalbert finished at 18:04, followed by Charles Roberge in third place at 19:13.

The top female 5K finisher was Edmundston’s own Josianne Guay, with a time of 21:19.

“The race was a lot of fun,” said Guay. “Edmundston is my hometown, so having the chance to race in front of my friends and family was just amazing.”

While it wasn’t her first time running in the event, she said the course had changed since her last time there.

One thing that hadn’t changed was the volunteer support, according to Guay, who said it is nice to see those familiar faces back year after year.

“The conditions were perfect, and although I didn’t achieve the time I was hoping for, I still had a blast,” she said.

The second place female was Veronique Gagnon at 24:10, followed by Maude Couturier at 24:52.

The day also featured a 3K walk/run, with 14-year-old Gabriel Lebel coming out on top with a time of 11:29, followed by Remi Morin at 13:10, and Emile Picard at 14:33. Top females were Myriam Doucette at 15:07, Nicole Lebel at 16:28, and Laurence Picard at 16:31.