David MacLennan wins Blue Nose Marathon for 4th time

David MacLennan of Scotsburn, N.S., won the annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax on Sunday for the fourth time in his running career.

MacLennan completed the race in two hours, 36 minutes and five seconds. Ray Moorhead of Dartmouth, N.S., came second with a time of two hours, 43 minutes and nine seconds.

Scott Clark of Summerside, P.E.I., finished third in two hours, 49 minutes and 24 seconds.

MacLennan said the cool, wet weather made conditions ideal for marathon racing. 

"The weather was awesome, except for wind in a few spots, but this is a perfect day for running except for a little wind," MacLennan said. "It's a cool temperature and it wasn't cool enough to chill you."

In the women’s category, Jen Nicholson of Cornwall, P.E.I., won with a finish time of three hours and nine seconds.

Jaquie Steele of Toronto placed second with a time of three hours, 16 minutes and two seconds. Susan Carbyn from New Minas, N.S., finished third in three hours, 18 minutes and 41 seconds.

Many participants first-time marathoners

About 900 people signed up for the sixth annual race.

While most of the competitors finished the race within three to four hours, some racers were still crossing the line long after most people had already gone home. By 3 p.m. AT, organizers began to pack up the barricades.

Many of the last people to cross the finish line were first-time marathon runners.

Michael Dolliver of Dartmouth, N.S., stood at the finish line near the clock tower at Citadel Hill as he waited for his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Shyanne, to cross the finish line.

"Neither one of them had run a marathon before and they were determined," Dolliver said. "I'm some proud of them. They stuck together that whole way, 26 miles."

When both mother and daughter crossed the finish line more than six hours after they began the race, they described how they took turns encouraging each other, alternating every kilometre. Sharon used to be 165 pounds overweight, while Shyanne has a disability.

"It was hard, it was tiring but it was great to share it with my mom," Shyanne said following the race. "We laughed. We sang and, at points, we prayed."

Runner completes 128th marathon

Ginny Turner of Portland, Ore., completed her 128th marathon when she crossed the finish line with a time of six hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds.

Turner, who has raced in every state in the United States, now wants to complete a marathon in each province. She currently holds the Guinness world record for running a marathon on each continent in less than four months.

"I always tell first-timers that when you cross the finish line, it will change your life, and it does," Turner said after the race.

"It’s just a wonderful way to see the world and it’s a healthy habit, and I’m addicted. What can I say?"

About 8,000 people took part in all of the various Blue Nose races over the long holiday weekend. A youth run was held Saturday.

In addition to the marathon, races such as the half-marathon, a 10k and a 5k were also held Sunday.

Dartmouth resident Melinda McCormack ran the half-marathon. For her, completing the race was a major accomplishment as she only took up running to lose weight.

"I’m a bigger girl," McCormack said. "I like to prove that ... you shouldn’t have to lose 50 pounds before you run a half-marathon."

"You can do it, whatever size you’re at. Just get involved in a clinic and start out slow."