P.E.I. runner breaks record at Fredericton Marathon

Runners went head-to-head this weekend at the 44th annual Stewart McKelvey Fredericton Marathon, back on the Mother's Day weekend after three years.

The event featured five races, including a marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometre run and five-kilometre run. 

"It was good to see an event come together and set the tone for the running season," said co-race director Bruce Macfarlane. 

"It was just a perfect day for running." 

Stanley Chiasson of Prince Edward Island, who won in 2021, finished first in the 42.2-kilometre run, beating his own record for the event by four minutes. His winning time was two hours, 25 minutes and 22 seconds.

Michael Bergeron, also from P.E.I., came in first in the 21.1-kilometre run, Mustafa Izzeldin of Halifax finished first for the 10-kilometre run and Donald Evans of Oromocto won the five-kilometre run. 

The East Coast Music Awards took place in the city at the same time, so a special eight-kilometre run was held Saturday in partnership with the awards.

"We thought music and running were such a great combination, '' Macfarlane told Information Morning Fredericton Friday. 

Paul Keating of Miramichi finished first in the 8K.

Macfarlane said 62 runners, or 31 per cent of finishers, made a qualifying time fo the Boston Marathon. 

He said the total tally of runners over the weekend is still not known, but over 1,700 people registered.

Macfarlane said that's slightly lower than pre-pandemic numbers, which peaked at 2,300, but a slow progression is expected. 

"We know that people are hungry to run," said Macfarlane. 

Racers came from all across the East Coast, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and parts of the U.S.