Several hundred distance runners will congregate Saturday at the Royal Distributing Athletic Performance Centre on Marden Road for one of the Guelph area’s largest fundraising running events.
In its sixth year, the Marden Marathon is expected to attract 800-1,000 runners this year, all covering three distance categories along rural roads just north of the city. Whether it’s the five, 10 or the 22 kilometre run, all distances require the participants to transverse a challenging dip or two, or three.
The run began as a marathon six years ago, but the longest distance now is actually only a half marathon, despite the event’s name. There is also a family fun run.
This year, the Elora Road Christian School will host the event, which is renowned for its supportive and enthusiastic community environment, and for its legendary after-race food, said co-organizer Joshua Reuser, who personally helped make 1,500 wraps for last year’s event.
Last year, the race was held on a crisp spring day, and this year it is expected to be ever crisper, with a starting temperature of -4C. Registration on the day of the event begins at 7 a.m., but pre-registration is encouraged online.
“So, 8:25 a.m. is the opening ceremonies, and the half marathon starts at 8:30 a.m.,” said Reuser, adding that the family fun run, and the five and 10 kilometre runs start at 9 a.m. “They might have to run in winter boots this year. It’s going to be pretty cold to start.”
The first couple of kilometres of the race are level ones along Marden Road, but as soon as the runners turn north on Wellington County Road 39 the route begins to undulate. The climbs are challenging.
Reuser said participation in the event has grown each year. About 125 volunteers help to make it run smoothly.
“The community of runners that come together is a huge part of it,” Reuser said. “That is one of the main reasons why it is growing so fast. People just love it.”
Over its six years, Marden Marathon has benefited Groves Hospital Foundation, a Centre-Wellington based organization dedicated to raising and stewarding funds for the advancement of health care at Groves Memorial Community Hospital in Centre Wellington. A new hospital is expected to open on the west edge of Fergus within three years. Plans are underway.
The race has raised $51,000 so far for Groves.
“Although the race is about contributing to Groves, it is about so much more than that,” said race director Amanda McAlpine in a press release. “It is about community, connectedness, health/wellness, and the inspirational river of stories that crosses that finish line.”