2025 Annual Report

Donald Wade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 24, 2026

Introduction

RunNB continues to grow and offer quality services to the running community. Competitive runners or recreational runners/walkers have access to numerous well organized races in all corners of the province.  Running helps maintain good health and fitness, both physically and mentally.

As this is my last year as RunNB Chairman, I would like to point out the progress made during my mandate as Chairman for the past six years.

RunNB now:

  • Is an incorporated member division of Athletics New Brunswick.
  • Has its own Constitution.
  • Manages its RunNB membership card program.
  • Organizes an annual Challenge to help runners/walker stay active throughout the year.
  • Maintains a rejuvenated website published in both English and French.
  • Has improved the Super Series and Championship programs.
  • Publishes its policies and updates them when necessary.
  • Maintains a Facebook page that keeps runners and the public informed of the latest news and announcements.
  • Rewards annually deserving runners / race organizers with awards and recognitions.
  • Can count on seven sponsors that help the organization financially.
  • Has a safe financial situation and produces a balanced annual budget.

In appreciation for their friendship and confidence,  allow me to name those RunNB Committee/Board Members that I have worked with these past 12 years and who have helped me better serve the running community: Brian Richard, Rob Jackson, Daryl Steeves, Mary Brosnan and her husband Michael Lynch, sisters Shelly Doucet and Marcie Holland, Shawna Allaby, Greg Sawyer, Paul Lavoie, the late Sylvio Bourque, Martha Kelly, Suzanne Myers, Bruce Macfarlane, Gilles Gautreau, Nathalie Boivin, Michel Robichaud, Daniel Violette, Sara Young, Jeff Queen and Alex Coffin.  Your contribution and your passion for running have left an indelible mark on RunNB.

1.     Meetings of the RunNB Board

The RunNB Board held five Zoom Meetings during the year, plus one in person. We took care of daily, weekly business on the Messenger Chat group. 

The RunNB 2023 Board had 8 members:  Daniel Violette, Vice-Chairman, Michel Robichaud Treasurer, Nathalie Boivin, Secretary, Jeff Queen, Super Series & Championship, Alex Coffin, running clubs & kids running & social Media (Facebook), Sara Young, policies, Bruce Macfarlane, Annual Awards and Hall of Fame and Donald Wade, Chairperson and GillesGautreau, Executive Director.

2.     RunNB Calendar Races

Seventy RunNB calendar races attracted 10 071 runners and their results were submitted and posted on our website.  This represents an increase of 23%.

Seven new races were posted on the calendar this year, namely:

  1. Course 5km de la Bonne Resolution -Tracadie NB
  2. Fredericton Resolution Run – Fredericton NB
  3. Courir pour sauver des vies - St-Isidore NB
  4. Bay of Fundy Int Marathon - Campobello Island, NB
  5. Mind Over Miles - Grand Falls NB
  6. Worry Pas Relay - Moncton NB
  7. Fundy Trail Cancer Walk - St Martin NB
  8. Trail Run Chaleur - Bathurst NB
  9. Fright at the Falls - Grand Falls, NB

3.     The 2025 Circle NB RunNB Challenge

Fifty-six participants registered for the 2025 Circle NB 2000 km and logged in their km on the dashboards.  The top 5 winners are Marcelle Breau, Jean-Marie Breau, Mathieu Hébert, Odette Légère and Christophe Collard. Congratulations to all the participants.

4.     RunNB Open Championship and Super Series Programs

Five distances make up the RunNB Open Championship Program: the 5 km (Run for Renee), 5 miles (St Andrews), 10 km, (Fredericton Marathon) 21,1 km, Demi-marathon de l’Acadie) and 42.2 km (Legs).  Cash prizes for each championship race totaling $950 were offered to the first three positions, female and male, a $4750 investment. 

Nineteen races were given Trackie Super Series status.  Top 3 positions, male & female for each age group, were recognized at the annual awards ceremony with a medal, jacket or t-shirt.

5.     RunNB Membership Card

RunNB has presently 332 members. Thank you for supporting RunNB.

6.     Sponsors

RunNB is very appreciative of the majors sponsors who contributed financially to the success of our programs.

  • The NB Medical Society: $10 000 for medals for Small Strides, Healthy Lives and Super Series – renewable annually
  • Running Room, NB stores: Membership card 20% discount on running equipment – 3-year contract ending Dec 31, 2025
  • Sports Experts, NB stores: Membership card 20% discount on running equipment – 3-year contract ending Dec 31, 2025
  • Alex & Lilly Shoe Shoppe: Membership card 20% discount on running equipment – 3-year contract ending Dec 31, 2025
  • Trackie Inc.: $ 3226 to cover bibs and championship race medals – renewable annually
  • JDIrving – $1000 to cover the cost of annual awards; renewable annually
  • Terry Premium Awards– $614 to help cover the cost of CircleNB Challenge medals.

7.     RunNB Web site, Facebook Page

RunNB’s website and Facebook were kept up to date with the latest news, announcements, articles on races and inspiring stories.  Special thanks to all, especially Alex Coffin, who contributed on a regular basis in making our Facebook page attractive, informative and a popular site.

8.     RunNB Strategic Plan for Growth

RunNB has been promoting running as a mean of getting New Brunswickers to adopt a healthier lifestyle.  With the ever increasing cost of health care in NB and the worrisome statistics indicating that more than 50% of the Canadian population does not exercise enough (30 minutes /day) to maintain good health, RunNB is part of the solution.  The new plan for growth should exploit new ideas to get more citizens to run with us.

9.     Conclusion

The New Brunswick running community is vibrant and growing.  Race directors/organizers are cognisant of the fact that the runners who show up at their races are looking for quality, affordable events, with attractive perks and memorable post-race celebrations. 

It was a pleasure to serve the running community with the help of committed fellow Board Members, who offered their time gratuitously, who brought creative ideas to our discussions, who showed discernment in making decisions and who acted as real team members for the sake of running. 

I wish all the anticipated success to those who will lead the destiny of RunNB in the years to come.

 

Donald Wade, RunNB Chairman