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Fredericton marathon participation hits record number

See photos from the 2025 Fredericton marathon.

Number of registered runners surpasses 3,200

CBC News ·
Two women wearing baseball hats and running clothes stand smiling on a road holding their baby daughter, who wears a purple onesie and grey hat.
Anna Simonds and Kayla Blackmore-Simonds, two teachers from Rothesay, ran the half marathon in Fredericton on Sunday. They are pictured with their 10-month-old daughter. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

Hundreds of runners braved the cold and strong winds for the Fredericton Marathon on Sunday.

"We are over-the-moon thrilled," said co-race director Christine Little. "We've had record numbers."

About 2,900 runners registered for the event in 2024, added co-race director Bruce Macfarlane. This year, that number reached 3,234.

Runners walk down the street after passing the finish line.
Marathon organizers switched up the race route this year, bringing runners into Fredericton's downtown core to decrease congestion on the trails. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

"This is all about putting Fredericton on the map," he said. "People are getting back into health and wellness and running."

Male winner Lee Roy, fighting a chest cold, didn't expect to win. More than 350 runners completed the 42.2-kilometre course.

"I'm surprised I even finished," said the Bathurst runner, who crossed the finish line with a time of 2:45:39. "I can't believe it."

A man with light facial scruff poses on a road. He wears sunglasses, a backwards white baseball cap and athletic clothing.
Lee Roy of Bathurst was the marathon's male winner with a time of 2:45:39. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

He added he plans to celebrate by going to bed.

Female winner Brianna Kao said simply finishing the race was a victory, since she didn't finish last year.

A woman with brown hair and wearing athletic clothing stands smiling on a street.
Brianna Kao of Moncton was the marathon's female winner with a time of 2:56:40. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

"This is my redemption year," she said. "It was a whole mental block last year, and this year I really focused on believing in myself."

Kao won with a time of 2:56:40.

A man wearing a baseball cap and a blue vest jacket holds a megaphone.
Bruce Macfarlane was co-race director, alongside Christine Little. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

The marathon also coincided with Mother's Day. For Anna Simonds and her partner, Kayla Blackmore-Simonds, completing the half marathon was a perfect way to celebrate their first Mother's Day as a couple.

"It's pretty special and we certainly want to lead by example and show [our daughter] how to be happy and healthy," said Blackmore-Simonds, who gave birth to the couple's first daughter 10 months ago. 

A woman in a purple coat hands a water bottle to a a brown-haired woman who is dressed in athletic clothing.
More than 300 volunteers helped organize the event this year. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

"Right after she was born we were thinking about how we could celebrate each other as moms," added Anna.

Over 300 volunteers helped keep the marathon running smoothly, according to organizers. The marathon's route was also new this year, bringing runners into the downtown core to ease congestion on the city's trails.

A man, woman and toddler stand outside smiling. The woman holds up a cardboard sign that says 'Quitting? No thank you darling. Go Matante Megan!'
Many friends and family members cheered runners on from the sidelines. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)
Several people walk over a grassy area dotted with tents. A few signs say 'Runners Only.'
Over 3,200 people registered to run this weekend. (Prapti Bamaniya/CBC)

With files from Prapti Bamaniya

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