LUBEC – Several Midcoast athletes joined hundreds of others running to Canada during the Great Bay of Fundy International Marathon, Sunday, June 25. One morning each year, for the past five years, ultra- (52K), full- and half-marathoners gain nonstop border clearance into Campobello on foot.

The runners, including marathon winner Robert Ashby, of Brunswick, and Emma Trapani, of Rockport, not only earned their chance to say they ran to Canada, but also to have done so on a tough course through unexpectedly warm temperatures.

Because of passport information entered into computer chips attached to racing bibs, border patrol agents focused more on clapping and cheering for the runners.

Ashby won with a time of 2:49:03, qualifying for the Boston Marathon (should he want to run Boston). Sunday’s marathon course started at West Quoddy Head, traversed six miles to the U.S. border station, another 10 miles to Head Harbor Light before returning to the Lubec side of the border.

Many runners and spectators described the course as tough, with more hills than the Boston Marathon. This year’s heat added to a slower-than-usual race. Stagnant air and few shore breezes challenged runners who hadn’t prepared for such heat. For them, registration-time warnings of weather conditions allowing for rain and temps ranging from 40 degrees to 70 degrees guided their race attire – Not the 82 degrees felt by noontime finishers.

Twenty one participants ran the ultra, 152 in the marathon, 247 for the half, and 131 in the 10K. Many of these runners and walkers traveled from other regions.

The nearest major towns and commercial airports are two hours away, and still they came. They filled the motels and short-term rental options, the restaurants, and, because the Bay of Fundy race is a nonprofit, the coffers of this year’s charity: The Lubec Community Food Pantry. The Pantry is operated by the Lubec Community Outreach Center and currently serves approximately 22 percent of the local community members. It also reaches out to support those in need in nine neighboring communities, according to the race website.

Previous years’ beneficiaries include the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the Campobello Island Recreation Council, the Lubec Community Outreach Center, the schools on Campobello Island and in Lubec, and the Campobello Island and Lubec Community Food Banks.

Midcoast marathon participants

Robert Ashby Brunswick, ME, US

Blaine Moore Brunswick, ME, US

Emma Trapani Rockport, ME, US

Sarah Thompson Rockland, ME, US

Gary Hebert Brunswick, ME, US

Carolyn Wason Belfast, ME, US

Karen Sherlock Wiscasset, ME, US

Christian Sieracki Edgecomb, ME, US

Midcoast half marathon participants

Trevor Mills Rockport, ME, US

Scott Kessel Rockport, ME, US

Marianne Kessel Rockport, ME, US

Michelle Erhard Belfast, ME, US

Midcoast 10K participants

Carl Trapani Rockport, ME, US

For all 2017 race results: https://raceroster.com/results/fdyncvvftb9cn6bw

Sarah Thompson can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com