Prince Edward Island Marathon offers scenic, seaside tour of Canada’s smallest province

The only event of it’s kind on the small island province, the Prince Edward Island Marathon is a popular destination race for Canadian and international runners.

An entire weekend of activities kicks off Friday with race kit pick-up, on-site registration and the expo which takes place from 12-6 p.m. at the Murphy Community Center in Charlottetown. It continues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and also includes the Kids Spud Run and pre-race pasta dinner.

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On Sunday, participants in the marathon and corporate/team relay board the bus at 7 a.m. and head to the start at Brackley Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park. Those races officially start at 8 a.m. The marathon runs along the Gulf Shore Parkway and then follows Bayshore Road to Highway 6. At Bedford Station, runners then take the Confederation Trail which meanders towards University Avenue and the eventual finish in downtown Charlottetown. The course is a certified Boston Qualifier and saw almost 20% of participants get their BQs in 2015.

The Half Marathon, 10K and 5K all start at 9 a.m. from the Confederation Center of the Arts in downtown Charlottetown. The courses are all loops and tour around the downtown including passing through Victoria Park and along the scenic shores of the harbour.

After the races, participants enjoy refreshments, entertainment and an awards ceremony back at the Murphy Community Center.