Runners on all of Memorial’s campuses are no stranger to the challenge of one of the most prestigious running events in the Atlantic provinces and one of the oldest in Canada – the Tely 10 Mile Road Race.

This year, the Marine Institute (MI) fielded a team of 50 runners to join Team Memorial in hitting the pavement, sporting ocean blue shirts recognizing MI’s 50th anniversary, on the net-downhill course from Octagon Pond in Paradise to Bannerman Park in St. John’s July 27.

Team Memorial set its own record this year with more than 140 participants comprised of employees, retirees, spouses and children. Team Memorial included the 50 MI runners as well as two participants from Grenfell Campus.

Leading the charge to see 50 people sign up to run in MI’s Golden Jubilee year was the institute’s health and wellness co-ordinator, Rose Hatfield, with assistance from MI anniversary events co-ordinator, Kelli-Ann Smith. Finding willing participants didn’t take long.

“Each year the Marine Institute registers a team for the Tely 10, but this year we saw an overwhelming interest in the event to reach our goal,” said Ms. Hatfield. “It was an excellent way to raise awareness of MI’s 50th anniversary and to show our spirit for the institute.”

The 87th edition of the Tely 10 broke records with just under 4,200 runners participating in the race. The race began in 1922 and has taken place every summer since, with the exception of a break during the Second World War. The Tely 10 course record was set by Paul McCloy in 1986 with a time of 47:04; he won the race four times in his career. It wasn’t until 1969 that women were able to participate in the race. In 1985 Nicola Will set the women’s record of 55:47.

“With an event of this size and popularity, it was an excellent opportunity to showcase the institute and our Golden Jubilee celebrations,” said Ms. Smith. “We partnered with Memorial’s St. John’s and Grenfell Campuses who created our shirts, and ran the event together as the Memorial community.”

The Tely 10 is just one of the many events MI has been involved in throughout 2014 to boast its 50th anniversary celebrations. The institute’s Department of Development and Engagement has hosted many anniversary MI alumni receptions and has been a part of community events around the province such as the Trails, Tails and Tunes Festival, a Grand Bank alumni event and MI’s Holyrood Open House, to name just a few.

MI 50th anniversary celebrations will continue for the remainder of 2014. Visit MI’s anniversary website, www.mi50.ca, for event information, alumni profiles, an interactive timeline, photo gallery and other features.