Legs for Literacy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Legs for Literacy
Official Logo
Date	October
Location	Moncton, New Brunswick
Event type	Road Race
Distance	Marathon 26.219 miles (42.195 km)
Primary sponsor	IGT
Established	2000, 26 years ago
Course records	Men: 2:39:40 (2016) Jean-Marc Doiron Women: 3:04:23 (2009) Leah Jabbour
Official site	LegsforLiteracy.com

The Legs for Literacy is a big annual running event. It happens every October in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. This event is more than just a race. It helps raise money for important reading and writing programs in the local community.

The main race is a full marathon, which is a very long run. But there are also shorter races for everyone. You can choose to run a half-marathon, a 10-kilometer race, or a 5-kilometer race. There's even a fun run for families!

This event has become the biggest running event in New Brunswick. It's also one of the largest in all of Atlantic Canada. In 2017, over 2,270 people finished the races. About 300 more joined the family run/walk the day before. By 2016, the event had raised over $674,000 for literacy. The main sponsor is IGT. Many other companies also help sponsor the different races.

The Legs for Literacy marathon is special because it's a qualifying race for the famous Boston Marathon. This means if you run fast enough here, you can enter the Boston Marathon. Times from the half marathon can also help you qualify for the New York City Marathon. In 2015, Canadian Running Magazine even called Legs for Literacy one of Canada's top ten fall races for its beautiful scenery!

About the Race

How Legs for Literacy Started

Legs for Literacy began in 2000. A small group of local runners and volunteers wanted to help. They saw a need to raise money for reading programs in schools. The first races were 5 km and 10 km long.

Over the years, the event grew bigger. In 2004, the half marathon was added. The full marathon race was included in 2005. The race used to be in late August. Then it moved to late October and early November. Since 2009, it has been held at the end of October.

The event has grown a lot thanks to runners and sponsors. In 2005, only 268 people participated. By 2013, there were 2,818 finishers. Another 400 kids joined the youth event.

Race Distances and Fun Events

While the full marathon is the main event, Legs for Literacy offers many options.

• Full Marathon: A very long race, about 42 kilometers (26.2 miles).
• Half Marathon: Half the distance of a full marathon.
• 10 Kilometer Race: A popular distance for many runners.
• 5 Kilometer Race: A shorter, fun race for all ages.
• Nordic Walking Division: For the 10 km race, people can use special poles to walk.
• Relay Race: Teams of 4 to 8 runners can complete the marathon distance together.
• Youth Athletics Event: A special race just for kids.

Race Course Details

The half marathon and marathon courses usually stay the same. They start and finish on Main Street in Downtown Moncton. The 5 km and 10 km routes can change each year.

Marathon and Half Marathon Route

The race begins on Main Street. Runners head east, then turn onto Mechanic Street. They go to Assumption Boulevard and turn right. They run west on Assumption Boulevard to Lutz Street.

Next, runners go north on Lutz Street. They turn left onto Record Street and then Albert Street. They cross Assumption Boulevard to go onto the Gunningsville Bridge. This bridge takes them into Riverview.

After the bridge, runners enter the riverfront trail. They run along the trail, then briefly on Coverdale Road. They get back on the trail and head towards the Petitcodiac River Causeway. At the Causeway, they turn around. They run back east on the riverfront trail. They turn around again near Point Park. Then they head back to the Gunningsville Bridge. They cross back into Moncton and turn onto the trail. They run east on the trail towards Dieppe.

• Half Marathon Runners: Turn off the trail near Virginia Street. They go west on the trail, then turn right before the Rogers building. They exit onto Mechanic Street, turn left onto Main Street, and finish the race.

• Full Marathon Runners: Continue on the riverfront trail. They exit onto Gillespie Street, then turn left onto Pointe aux Renards Street. They go to Amirault Street, cross it, and turn right. They run to Fox Creek Road, then Melanson Road. They make a left, then a right turn. They continue to Bourque Road, then Chartersville Road. They turn left onto Chartersville, then left onto Centrale Street. They go east onto Vanier Street, then left onto Gregoire Street, then left on Broussard. They exit left onto Centrale. They continue downhill to Melanson and turn left. They go up to Fox Creek Road and turn left. They head back toward Amirault, cross it, and continue to Pointe aux Renards. They turn right onto a trail that leads back to Gillespie. They head northwest on the trail back to Moncton. They exit the trail before the Rogers building onto Mechanic Street. Finally, they turn left on Main Street to the finish line.

The start and finish line are at 25 meters above sea level. The highest point on the course is 40 meters. Both the half marathon and marathon courses are officially certified by Athletics Canada. The half marathon course is 65% paved and 35% dirt. The full marathon course is 100% paved.

Past Winners

Here are some of the past winners of the Legs for Literacy marathon:       Course record

Running Challenges

Tri-City Run

In 2013, Legs for Literacy joined with two other races. These were the Fredericton Marathon and Saint John's Marathon by the Sea. Together, they formed the "Tri-City Run." Runners who finished any race in each of these three events got special medals. These medals could be put together to form a "mega-medal" called the "Tri-City Medallion." The June 2013 issue of iRun magazine said the Tri-City Run was one of Canada's most unique races.

New Brunswick Challenge

In 2014, another race was added to the Tri-City Run. This was the Miramichi Rock 'n' Run race. With four races, it became the "New Brunswick Challenge." Runners who complete a race at all four events receive a special New Brunswick Challenge medal.

See also

• List of marathon races in North America