Nova Scotia Marathon
The Lowdown
The Nova Scotia Marathon has drawn runners to the Municipality of Barrington on Nova Scotia's southwest shore for more than 50 years, making it one of Atlantic Canada's longest-running road races. Starting and finishing at the Sherose Island Recreation Complex in Barrington Passage -- proudly nicknamed the Lobster Capital of Canada -- the Boston-qualifying course follows quiet, paved secondary roads along the coastline, with the full marathon reaching The Hawk, Nova Scotia's southernmost point, for sweeping ocean views. The route is mostly flat with a few gentle rolling hills, aid stations roughly every 3 kilometers, and a six-hour finish window. Alongside the marathon, the event offers a half marathon, 10K, 6K, youth fun runs, and a virtual option, plus on-site camping at the Sherose Island Rec Complex for runners who want to make a weekend of it. Every finisher receives a medal and race shirt, and the marathon has sold out in recent years, so early registration is recommended.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Intimate field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Sherose Island Recreation Complex
The Hawk (Nova Scotia's southernmost point)
Barrington Passage coastline
Lobster Capital of Canada
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Barrington Passage, Nova Scotia, Canada
CA
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Open entry for adult distances; youth runs (350m/700m) for children
Required Documents
- Government-issued photo ID for race kit pickup
Entry Methods
- Online registration via Race Roster
- Virtual run option for all distances
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are generally non-refundable
Deferral to a future year may be available at the organizer's discretion -- confirm current policy on the registration page before entering
On-site camping available at Sherose Island Rec Complex: 50 tent sites and 20 RV sites
Part of the Run Nova Scotia Road Race Series; 10K and Half Marathon also count toward the Performance Series
Full marathon course certified for Boston Qualifying (certification # NS-2019-024-BDC)
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Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
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