Prince Edward Island Marathon

Looking for a friendly fall marathon that’s a little but more low-key than the big city super-events, but has a venue that offers enough to turn the race trip into a mini-vacation? Try the Prince Edward Island Marathon. The Island is a haven of old-fashioned pastoral beauty set in the midst of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It’s also the second flattest province in the country (after Saskatchewan) and therefore a wonderful place for a fast marathon. 

Few courses cross by so much historic and tranquil scenery. The race starts on Brackley Beach and continues past dunes, a lighthouse, a short trail section, fields filled with hundreds of bright orange pumpkins ready to be harvested – a reminder that most Islanders still make their livings from agriculture – and a section of the Confederation Trail that was once part of the national railway line, to the finish line in beautiful Charlottetown. 

After five years, the Prince Edward Island Marathon is already an Island institution, but it still only attracts a couple of hundred participants, contributing to its friendly, supportive atmosphere.  Fall temperatures are moderate, with nighttime lows around 5 C and a daytime highs around 12 – perfect fall running temperatures, but it will be a bit cool in the morning at the start.

Travelling to Prince Edward Island is easier than ever, with frequent connecting flights to Charlottetown from Toronto, Halifax, Montreal and Ottawa. Driving there can be an adventure in itself. The Island can be reached either by ferry or the incredible 13K Confederation Bridge linking it to New Brunswick. Prince Edward Island is about a 1,000K drive from Montreal or a 1,600K haul from Toronto. There are many places to stay – ranging from bed and breakfasts to hotels – on the beaches, in farming communities, and right in downtown Charlottetown. 

If you have enough energy after the race, you can loosen up strolling the streets of Charlottetown, one of the few cities where you can still easily see all the sites on foot. If you’re even more energetic, take in the Island by biking on the Confederation Trail or walking the long beaches.  Or enjoy both your recovery phase and the Island on one of the many possible scenic driving routes. –DCS