NEW GLASGOW – Terry Curley expects that at around 2,200 people will take part in Johnny Miles Marathon events this coming weekend in New Glasgow.
The race director since 2000, Curley said approximately 60-65 per cent of those who will take part this weekend are from Pictou County, “and that’s a number that is very impressive.”
Because the mandate of the Johnny Miles Marathon – and several other running events held throughout the year under the Johnny Miles Events banner – is fostering a more active, healthier community, Curley likes those numbers.
“I think what’s happened it that it’s evolved into something that is much more than a running event, it’s a community event,” he said this week.
“That is something that has really started to gain traction. Our goal is to keep people active all year.”
Competitors will take part in the full marathon, half-marathon, Student’s Challenge, 5k and 10k runs (Sunday’s full marathon starts at 7 a.m., all other events on Sunday will begin at 9 a.m.).
Saturday morning at Glasgow Square will see the annual Johnny Walk, with the Kids Run slated for Saturday morning at the Pioneer Coal track facility in Stellarton.
Curley said he read in an article in The News this week about Pictou Academy students who run the 5K as part of their physical education curriculum, “and I didn’t even know about that,” he said, before also stating that there are numerous pockets of friends and/or co-workers who take part in the weekend.
“There’s a learn-to-run group, employees at Glen Haven Manor – thirty people,” he said. “That’s just one of them.
In past years, the Kids Run has been held on Provost Street in New Glasgow, but some entrepreneurs in the downtown core have voiced concerns about it adversely affecting their business.
“We certainly don’t want to be the cause of that,” Curley said, adding that moving the Kid’s Run over to the track also gives the youngsters a chance to run on “a state-of-the-art facility, so they will have that experience.”
Trinity United getting behind Johnny Miles Event
NEW GLASGOW – Trinity United Church is cancelling services this Sunday morning so that the congregation can fully get into the spirit of Johnny Miles Running Event by encouraging in person neighbours, friends, families and visitors who are taking part in the event.
Trinity will join with their neighbours at St. George’s Anglican Church for a 4 p.m. church service, but on the morning of the race, the congregation will be cheering on the runners and embracing the festivities.
As part of the “Trinity Embraces the Race,” members of the congregation and minister Rev. Donna Tourneur will serve lemonade and cookies from downtown.
"This is Trinity's way of supporting this wonderful event, those who participate, organize and volunteer for it, while also acknowledging that, sometimes, the church community comes to the people in many ways,” Rev. Tourneur said.
“Trinity takes pride in offering hospitality and a sense of community in their space on a regular basis, but this Sunday, our hospitality will be extended and shared in downtown New Glasgow in the midst of the crowd. We are looking forward to the fun and fellowship."
