Published Saturday May 8th, 2010
SAINT JOHN - Area runners can connect city landmarks to their achievements with the upcoming Run Through History event.
The showcase event, presented by Brunswick Pipeline, kicks off on July 10 and takes participants through some of the city's greenest and most historical landmarks. This year's theme is A Celebration of Green Space and takes runners through Rockwood Park, as well as other "green" areas throughout the city.
The medals awarded to participants is one of the unique aspects of the Run Through History, which takes place every summer for the next three years. Each year, every participant will be awarded a different medal. The pewter medals fit together like puzzle pieces, but can be displayed individually as well.
The medals for 2010 are engraved with a picture of King's Square, while in 2011 they depict the Reversing Falls, and in 2012, the pavilion at Lily Lake.
Mike Doyle, the event's creator, designed the medals and said he was completely awed when he saw them for the first time Monday.
"You're going to be kicking your butt if you miss next year and come back the last year. (The medals) all fit together and they look great," Doyle said.
The medals were created by Aitkens Pewter, a New Brunswick company.
"We're trying to keep everything local and very green," Doyle said, adding that he was impressed with the work the company does.
Similar medals were given out from 2004 to 2006 in the Run Through History's first event, the Tri-Fort Run.
Doyle said people came from across the country to run each year in the Tri-Fort Run and complete their medal collection.
"People actually came back (to run the event) because they wanted the medals. Last time we had the medals we had people from out West that came back every year so they could have the whole medal," Doyle said. "They flew back every year to do it.”
The event runs over the course of two days and takes runners as far as the city's west side. Saturday's event will include an afternoon of activities like rock climbing and geo caching at Rockwood Park and a Recycling Challenge Cup boat race sponsored by the Fundy Region Solid Waste Commission. In this event, teams will race across Lily Lake in boats made entirely out of recycled materials in an effort to promote green living and recycling.
The races take place on Sunday, July 11. A Stride for Success relay will take place that morning, with team proceeds supporting Portage Atlantic's Recovery Trail. The substance-abuse rehabilitation centre hopes to enhance a 3.8-kilometre path to provide a safe and peaceful place for client exercise.
The shortest run takes place entirely within Rockwood Park and covers a distance of four km. The second longest run, about 14.5 km, will take runners through most areas in the city core, including uptown and the south and north ends, eventually returning to Lily Lake. The longest run is about 26 km and takes participants on a running tour of Saint John's marine attractions, including the Reversing Falls, and gives runners a view of Partridge Island.
The events are capped for participants, but the event organizer said he is not releasing the maximum number of spots available in hopes it will encourage people to apply early for spots. Doyle said he expects over 800 people to apply.
For more information, or to register for the event, visit www.celebrationofgreenspace.com.
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Also included in this issue of the Telegraph Journal was an ad for Export Achievement Awards which we provide the trophies for each year;
