At only 10 dollars to register and with all money going towards a great local charity, the SMILE 5 km/10 km run/walk is a worthwhile event. It brings out a couple of hundred runners and walkers, with most of them being Mount Allison students.

Unfortunately, the amount of race day registrations added to the fact that only one computer was used on race day meant a delay in the start of the race, with very little information being communicated to runners.

Being in mid-March, temperatures are generally cooler but this doesn't seem to affect attendance at all. This year a 1 km family walk was added which also seemed to bring out a few more people. Both the 5 km and 10 km courses are challenging as they are both quite hilly. Wind is also generally a factor as Sackville tends to be a windy place. This means that the chances of having a pretty strong wind in your face at least for part of the race is quite likely.

The 5 km has no aid table but there were several volunteers on course for helping direct you. Unfortunately for runners, the last turn for both the 5 km and 10 km courses has no volunteers at all, meaning that quite a few runners went off course and had to self adjust to get back to the start finish. There was not even a sign at the turn, which is pretty much race organizing 101. As well, the finish area was extremely icy and no salt or sand were put there which meant a pretty treacherous situation for those sprinting to the end.

There was no finishing medal or swag, which is fine as it means more money to the cause. They did have some great overall male and female prizes (chairs!!) and some great draw prizes for people who raised money for SMILE.

Hopefully organizers will address the logistical issues as both issues were easily avoidable and could have created more serious issues.

The Hypothermic Half is one of the Running Room multi-location/multi-date races that occurs in cities all over Canada and in a couple of places in the US between January and March. The Moncton event has taken place in mid-February both in 2013 and again this year.

Last year debuted a new course for the Moncton Hypo Half as it was moved to the Caledonia industrial park, just off of the TCH as it passes through Moncton. Last year was mild, with slushy road conditions. This year, the road conditions were terrific but the trade off was a considerable drip in temperature. With windchill, the temperature at gun time was almost 20 below zero.

The course itself is two loops of roads within the industrial park. There is not much in the way of hills, traffic or scenery on course, but it is a well attended event, capped at 200 participants and sells out each year. There is only one aid station on course, but because of the looping design, you pass it four times (twice each loop). Dedicated volunteers are at each turn to ensure you don't go off course and their enthusiasm is terrific. As you can imagine, a mid-February race doesn't draw many spectators aside from friends and family.

The race begins and ends at a Molson brewery, meaning that some pretty refreshing beverages are available at the finish line, although really, beer is not something I want to drink after running 13 miles. There is also water, although I think I may be in the minority having that as my preference.

The post-race brunch and award/draw prizes are fantastic. Both years I have done this event, the brunch has been held at the Ramada Inn across town. A huge spread of delicious food is prepared for racers to have an all you can eat buffet. Racers can chow down on bacon, pasta, soup, stew, fruits and so on while chatting about the race and running in general with other participants. It is very leisurely and a great way to refuel after what is generally a cold but enjoyable race!

This was my first full marathon and it was quite an experience. It is one of the larger events in Atlantic Canada and the full and half-marathon races start at the same time. The beginning of the race is quite crowded as from a road start, it quickly moves onto paved trail, which is fairly narrow for the number of competitors.

The course runs through Moncton and Riverview, mostly on trail. When you reach the their community, Dieppe, you transition onto road and will experience the only real hills you have to deal with. As this happens well over half way into the run, it's best to have saved your legs a little for the Dieppe section or you will hit the wall hard.

With the race being in late October, you are never sure of the weather. The temperature this year was a cool 5 degrees, which wouldn't have been bad but a downpour of rain provided a challenge for runners throughout the marathon. Add in some sections with wind and the course can provide challenges in many ways.

There are lots of aid stations, volunteers and even spectators on course throughout as the trail used is all urban. Several local schools send students to cheer runners on at various points, which is really nice. As the event is a huge fundraiser for local literacy initiatives and school, it is a relationship that really seems to work.

There are also 5 km, 10 km and half marathon events, all of which miss out on the roads for the most part and are run almost entirely on groomed gravel trail. Those courses are all very flat and fast, wind permitting. All four events have courses that are quite scenic.

The prerace expo for the Legs for Literacy event was exceptional. There were many vendors, sponsors and charities there with lots of great information, opportunities for charity runs and, of course, fun freebies. This even is a terrific way to end off a racing season and experience one of the regions largest and better organized events.

The Fall Classic was my favourite half-marathon of 2013 and upon completion it immediately went on my calendar for 2014. Given the time of year, you can expect decent weather and gorgeous scenery. The race starts in downtown Fredericton, but you quickly begin on paved trail and then head across an old train (now pedestrian) bridge over the river onto the north side of Fredericton.

Once over the bridge, you transition onto gravel trail and remain there almost exclusively as you head out towards Marysville. The course is an out and back with beautiful scenery for the majority as most of the trail has you alongside a river and going through the fall foliage. Even the more developed areas are scenic as you pass a lumber yard and by some very old buildings in Marysville while on course.

There are ample aid stations on course and there were even brass musicians playing for the runners just past the visitor information after crossing the bridge - a nice touch. There weren't a lot of spectators which wasn't a surprise as there were only a couple of road crossings suitable for people to see the runners.

Besides being beautiful, the course is extremely flat and fast. The seasonal temp and course make it an ideal course to challenge or set a PB. If a half marathon is more than you are ready for there are also 5 km and 10 km options.

The race is well attended but the trail is able to accommodate all runners comfortably. The fee also gets you a tech shirt, but there isn't much of an expo or race kit other than that. Overall, it is well run and a fantastic race.