Despite a number of significant changes to one of Halifax’s most anticipated footraces, organizers say they remain optimistic the event will continue to be a success.
For the first time in its 16-year history, the Blue Nose Marathon will take place in June instead of over the Victoria Day weekend due to a scheduling conflict with the Memorial Cup. On top of that, repairs on the MacKay Bridge will keep the race restricted to Halifax.
Blue Nose Marathon executive director Sherri Robbins says they’re taking it in stride.
“We have been without the bridge before, so it’s familiar territory,” said Robbins. “The experience is really what we’re focused on, so when we look at the routes … it’s ‘how can we continue to showcase our great city and provide fantastic routes and a great event overall?”
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The Big Lift project also changed organizers’ plans in 2016 and 2017, keeping runners on the Halifax side only. Last year, Blue Nosers went back to their harbour-hopping ways.
But Halifax Harbour Bridges says repairing the MacKay Bridge has become a main priority. Two of the bridge’s four lanes will close most weekends from spring to fall, as upgrades to asphalt, waterproofing and expansion joints are required.
“The MacKay is 49 years old this year, and so we’re up there doing some work,” said Alison MacDonald, spokesperson for Halifax Harbour Bridges.
“The redecking project got going in 2015, the Big Lift, so it’s been a few years since we’ve done any work up (on the MacKay).”
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Still, whether it’s 2020 or later, including both sides of the bridge is something Blue Nose organizers feel strongly about.
“As soon as the bridge is available to us, we’ll be back in Dartmouth, and that’s part of celebrating what Halifax is all about,” said Blue Nose race director Geri Wallace. Dartmouth has some beautiful lakes which … some of our runners really enjoy, so we’ll definitely be back.”
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The Blue Nose Marathon will take place from June 6 to 9.