Race Information

EIGHTH ANNUAL PRIDE OF CANADA MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

Date: Sunday September 9, 2007

Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario

Start Time: Marathon & Half Marathon 7:45 A.M.

SPECIAL NOTE: Persons entering and leaving Canada by plane must now have a passport. Persons travelling by car this year need not have passports, but they will be needed in the future.

Race director comments: The Pride of Canada, Pheidippides, Athens, the Royal family, and the Olympics all have something in common. The marathon running distance race is the toughest sporting event in athletics. Many have tried to conquer the marathon and many have failed. Most runners do not even attempt the marathon because of its difficulty. The Pride of Canada Marathon despite the paucity of local runners enters its eighth year. The first four years the race was held at Chippewa Park and was not certified. As a runner with over 40 years of experience, I have run in many half marathons and marathons (fastest ½ 1:06:58; fastest full 2:24:04) and comparatively I would rate the present course highly. The course is flat and fast and doesn’t involve running on slanted roadways. The reason that the course is fast is because of the layout. Runners do not have to run long straight stretches into a strong wind, and there are no overpasses or long steep hills. Furthermore, the trees that line much of the course provide shelter from both the wind and sun. The slowest points on the course involve two u-turns, however, at both there are water stations allowing for easier drinking as you slow down.

Start and Finish Location: The Legion Track also known as Fort William Stadium

Course & Facilities: Welcome runners, come to Thunder Bay and stay at the Days Inn Hotel and Suites, the closest hotel to the new course (actually on the course) and receive a runners discount from your room rate. Call 807-622-3297 for reservations. Another fine place to stay is the Victoria Inn (www.vicinn.com) located at 555 W. Arthur Street. Call 807-577-8481 and ask for the Pride of Canada Marathon discount.
On race day portable toilets will be placed on the course
CERTIFIED COURSES: Qualify for BOSTON MARATHON by running this fast course.
The Pride of Canada Marathon and Half Marathon races are the CHAMPIONSHIP ROAD RACES for Northwestern Ontario and are the FIRST RACES to be certified in the city of Thunder Bay.
Most of the marathon race will be run along the scenic bicycle trails in the center of Thunder Bay and on some of the streets. The course has no major hills, only a few small underpasses not really worth mentioning. The course is almost 26.1 miles flat. The course follows the Neebing River and is shaded by numerous trees. All runners will finish their race on the track finishing in front of the viewing stands. All runners must now run facing traffic while running on any road way, keeping to the far left. Available in the stadium will be a few showers and some lockers.
Please  click here to view the course map.

Time Limit: 6 1/2 HOURS TO FINISH MARATHON.

Race Rules: All runners must display their bib numbers on the front of their shirts. No roller skis, in-line skates, pets or unofficial participants. The race director has the right to refuse entries and disqualify participants. In case of bad weather, the race will still start if at all possible, but the race maybe delayed or shortened An extreme situation such as flooding along a bike path on the course may result in cancellation.
The race director is not responsible for any costs incurred by entrants as a result of their error in registering online or by mail.

Age limit: To enter the marathon you must be 16 or older on September 9, 2007.
To enter the half marathon you must be 14 or older on September 9, 2007.

Special Features: All marathon runners completing the marathon will receive Pride of Canada Marathon finisher medals. Records are recorded for every age and are available for viewing on the Pride of Canada Marathon web site. This year all military, veterans, spouses, and their children under 21 are free to enter, with no registration fee. Persons using free registration must send their entry to Gary Young,1938 Home Ave. Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7E 3C4 along with proof of being in the military, a veteran, spouse, or child of a veteran or military person.
To check current records, please click here.

Marathon fees:
$50 Canadian if entry received by September 1st.
Late Entry Fees: (After September 1st.)
$60 Canadian
Entry fees are not refundable and are not transferable.

Half Marathon fees:
$25 Canadian if entry received by September 1st.
Late Entry Fees: (After September 1st.)
$30 Canadian
Entry fees are not refundable and are not transferable.

$5 FOR SPAGETTI SUPPER BEFORE SEPT 1st., $8 AFTER SEPT 1st., ALL GUESTS $8
RACE T-SHIRTS ADD ADDITIONAL $12 CANADIAN OR $10 AMERICAN AND YOUR ENTRY MUST HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 1st.
PLEASE make your cheque payable to PRIDE of CANADA MARATHON and make sure you sign the waiver and your cheque. All Americans please convert cheques to Canadian funds.

Kit Pick-up:
All runners please go to the Great Wall Restaurant September 6th. - 7th. from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Receive a 10% discount on your food; and pick up your race kit at the same time. A friend may pick up your kit for you if you cannot make it to the Great Wall Restaurant at that time The Great Wall Restaurant is located on South James Street between Frederica Street and Gore Street in the Mount McKay Place Mall.
A spaghetti supper will take place on Sept 8th., from 5pm to 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 149, at 730 Simpson Street. All draw prizes will take place at supper for all paid entries and volunteers attending supper. Race kits will be available for runners attending Saturday supper and last minute entries will be accepted.    Map to the Great Wall Restaurant at Mapquest.com Map to the Royal Canadian Legion at Mapquest.com
There will be no Sunday race kit pickup for local runners. Out of town runners only may pick up their kits at the Legion Track on Sunday between 7:10 and 7:30 A.M.

Awards: Will take place in the stadium as soon as results are final. No awards will be mailed. Awards will be determined by number of entries.

Volunteers: Are always welcomed and needed! Please contact Gary Young 807 577-1582

Directions: Legion Track is located just off East Victoria Avenue, one block west of Waterloo Street and
two blocks north of Arthur Street, in the Fort William Stadium., Map to Legion Track at Mapquest.com