RaceGuide’s featured events: Sept. 26-27
September 24th, 2015 by Dan Way | Posted in Canadian Race Guide, RaceGuide, Runs & Races | Tags: events, Featured, huffin puffin marathon, melissa's road roace, raceguide, races, Racing, rum runners relay, runs
The fall racing season continues to heat up here at home with several historic events including an east coast relay, a scenic Banff half and the oldest marathon in the country.
Saturday Sept. 26th: Rum Runners Relay, Halifax to Lunenburg, N.S.
Historic, Popular, Destination Race
Profile: First run in 1985, this annual event takes place on the last Saturday of September and always sells out (there’s a waiting list in case of last-minute drop outs). The event is limited to 70 teams, all guaranteed to have fun, and who compete in a ten-stage, approximately 110K relay that starts in Halifax and follows Nova Scotia’s south shore to the quaint coastal town of Lunenburg. Most legs include scenic rolling hills with some featuring a few significant climbs and fast descents. The post-race reception and awards are an equally important and always-enjoyable part of the tradition.
By the Numbers: Participants: 700 (70 teams); Fee(s): $500 (per team)
Ratings: Scenery: 5; Organization: 4; Atmosphere: 5; Amenities: 4
Saturday Sept. 26th: Melissa’s Road Race, Banff, Alta.
Certified, Popular, Historic Event
Profile: One of Alberta’s most popular races, often voted among the best in the province. Melissa’s offers a challenging 21K plus a 10K to suit participants of every ability. The courses are run within the beautiful Banff National Park guaranteeing a scenic experience including a loop around the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. There is a popular pre-race dinner at Melissa’s Restaurant the night before, and awards and a beer garden after the race as well as a post-race party in the evening. All participants receive a commemorative cotton long-sleeved shirt with original artwork.
By the Numbers: Participants: 4,500; Fee(s): $60
Charity: Banff Day Care, Kindergarten, YMCA, High School and Community Foundation
Ratings: Scenery: 5; Atmosphere: 5; Amenities: 4; Organization: 4

Sunday Sept. 27th: Huffin’ Puffin Marathon, St. John’s, N.L.
Certified, Boston Qualifier, Historic
Profile: The Huffin’ Puffin Marathon is the longest running marathon in Canada having first been run in 1950 and taking place a record 63 times. The event also serves as the provincial marathon championship and also offers a relay and half-marathon option. New to 2015, the races will use a 21.1K loop course that starts and finishes in Bowring Park and offers a scenic tour of downtown St. John’s and Quidi Vidi Lake. Marathon participants continue past the finish line to complete a second identical loop of the course while those running as part of a relay team each complete a leg of either 11 or 10.1K. All participants receive a finisher’s medal and long-sleeved shirt and are invited to the post-race awards reception and barbecue.
By the Numbers: Participants: 500; Fee(s): $75 (Marathon & Half); $60 (Relay team member)
Ratings: Scenery: 4; Organization: 4; Refreshments: 4; Swag/medals: 4