When people running the Johnny Miles five-kilometre road race in Sydney Mines, N.S., took their first steps on Saturday morning, they did it underneath the statue of the hometown hero who became a Boston Marathon champion a century ago. Miles, the son of a coal miner, put his hometown on the map when he came first in Boston in 1926 in a time of two hours 25 minutes 40 seconds, then won the world’s most famous footrace again in 1929. Daniel Murray, who won Saturday’s race and is a teacher at Sydney Mines Middle School, calls it a feat that still inspires people in the area. “Because you don’t have to come from a big place,” Murray said. “It’s the size of the spirit, not the size of the town.” Claire Maxwell, who grew up in Sydney Mines, has always been able to relate to Miles’ humble origin story. “I went to Jubilee Elementary as a child and so everyday walking to school I would go past the Johnny Miles statue,” Maxwell said after crossing the finish line second among female participants. “Even though you might come from struggle, I think passion and determination is what can bring someone success.” Anne Doyle of Coxheath, N.S., showed up for the race on Saturday wearing a replica of the shirt Miles wore on his big day 100 years ago – a simple white singlet with a red maple leaf and the number 14 “I actually wore it to Boston in 2017 for inspiration while I was running,” Doyle said of the day she ran her first Boston Marathon. Now in her 70s, Doyle may be living proof of part of Miles’ legacy. “I guess that anybody can run,” she said. “Johnny Miles was a good runner from Sydney Mines who made his way to the top of the running world.” The race was part of the weekend’s annual Sydney Mines Heritage Festival, which over the years has also been known as the Johnny Miles Festival. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
