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Cabot Trail Relay upset topples Maine team’s seven-year reign

Halifax Road Hammers emerge victorious on both men's and women's side at 31st running of fabled Maritime 24-hour relay race

May 28, 2018
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The Halifax Road Hammers battled all kinds of weather to win the festive Cabot Trail Relay Race, which took place (as it does every year) this past weekend in Cape Breton. They finished in 16:25:16, bringing to an end defending champions the Maine-iacs‘ seven-year streak. The Maine-iacs finished eight minutes back, in 16:33:51. Toronto’s Black Lungs team was third, in 16:44:24.

RELATED: Iconic, eye-catching Maritime relay race celebrates 30th running

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This was the 31st running of the race, which is a 24-hour, 276K relay around the Cabot Trail, beginning and ending in Baddeck, N.S. It takes place in 17 stages and this year featured 70 teams and 1,200 runners. At the inaugural race in 1987, there were only six teams entered. Crazy costumes and a maritime theme are a feature of every race.

After six stages, the Maine-iacs were actually in third place, behind the Black Lungs, but managed to pull ahead later in the race.

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The Road Hammers’ Matt McNeil credits the hills around Halifax with the team’s ability to adapt to the hilly Cape Breton terrain.

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On the women’s side, the Halifax Road Hammers were again the top team, in 21:01:18. The aXe Women United were second, in 21:13:57, and the Maine Road Hags third in 22:47:39.

The top Cape Breton team was the Cape Breton Road Runners, who finished in 20:20:08.

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