Article content“We’ll probably end up at 3,100. That’s a big number for our province.”Article content P.E.I. Marathon manager Mitch Osmond, left, and race director Myrtle Jenkins-Smith are getting ready for the 21st anniversary of the race. Organizers say they’re expecting the largest turnout in the event’s history. P.E.I. Marathon weekend is Oct. 17-19. Photo by Vivian Ulinwa /The GuardianArticle contentRunners are coming from across Canada and around the world. Jenkins-Smith said nearly half of the participants are from off-Island.Article contentShe said the marathon continues to attract both serious competitors and destination runners.Article content“We are a Boston (Marathon) qualifier. So that means there’s many people coming to P.E.I. to try to qualify for Boston, which is extremely hard to qualify for. And also, people are using this as a destination run,” she said.Article contentRelay sees record participationArticle contentWhile there are no new categories this year, the team relay is seeing record participation of 60 teams that will be completing a marathon. Jenkins-Smith said all medals, bibs and shirts have arrived after being ordered months in advance. She said the organizing team is looking forward to a safe and successful weekend.Article contentArticle content“We hope to break some course records,” Jenkins-Smith said. “Last year, we broke five records. And that’s unheard of. Some years, we wouldn’t break any.”Article contentJenkins-Smith credited sponsors and community partners for making the marathon possible.Article contentArticle contentRoad closuresArticle contentOn Saturday, Oct. 18, the following roads will be closed from 7-11 a.m. for the 10 km run/walk, 5 km run/walk, 2 km wheelchair and kids fox trot events that start at Prince Street near Confederation Landing.Article contentWater Street between Prince and Haviland street.Haviland Street between Water and Richmond streets.Richmond Street/West Street from Rochford to Kent streets.Victoria Park Roadway and Kent Street from Brighton Road to West Street.Article contentTraffic delays are also expected along the route from 7:30-10:30 a.m. and will impact Queen Elizabeth Drive, Charlotte Drive, Edinburgh Drive, Brittany Drive, Maplewood Crescent and Woodbine Crescent.Article contentArticle contentSunday, Oct. 19Article contentOn Sunday, Oct. 19, the full marathon, team relay, half-marathon run/walk and 16 km run/walk will start on Great George Street near Grafton Street.Article contentThe following roads will be closed from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.Article contentGreat George Street between Fitzroy and Grafton streets.Grafton Street between Queen and Church streets.Kent Street between Queen and Great George streets.Article contentUniversity Avenue/Great George between Kirkwood Drive/Allen Street and Fitzroy Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Article contentTraffic delays are expected along the marathon route in the morning and early afternoon, including the arterial highway at the Malpeque Road and Mount Edward Road intersections, Belvedere Avenue from Mount Edward Road westward and intersections along Malpeque Road/University Avenue from Sherwood Road to Kirkwood Drive/Allen Street.Article contentNo parking will be allowed in the following areas on Oct. 19 from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until the event concludes.Article contentGrafton Street between Queen and Church streets.Great George Street between Fitzroy and Grafton streets.Kent Street between Queen and Great George streets.Article contentArticle contentVivian Ulinwa is a reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on X @vivian_ulinwa.Article content
Japanese runner travels to the Island for P.E.I. Marathon and beef
