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June 15, 2017 City Guides » Hot Summer Guide

Summer 2017's races, obstacle course and sporting events

Lace up your sneakers, re-apply your deodorant and get ready to Forrest Gump your way through this summer with these various feats of fun, and strength.

By Allison Saunders @alliesaysrelax

click to enlarge

NovaStrong's Mud Craft
SUBMITTED

June 17-18
Play On
Just when everyone’s amped up from the Stanley Cup playoffs, the world’s largest street hockey tournament lands in Halifax, taking over the the street at the Halifax Common with over 400 teams, 6,000 players of all levels and a whole lot of hustle. Whether you’re pounding the pavement too, or cheering on your buddies the
Play On atmosphere is that of a packed- to-the-rafters arena—
except there’s sunshine.
Halifax Common, playon.ca

June 24
3X3 Canada Quest
Think you’ve got game? The Canada Quest tours the country, looking for the very best three-on-three basketball players in the land. The tournament is open to male and female ballers of all ages (under 10 to adult) and levels of play, who’ll battle for the top spot on the court. Plus, the winners in the elite division will qualify for the Quest finals in Edmonton.
Canada Games Centre, 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, 8am-4pm, 3x3planet.com

OUT OF TOWN
June 24
Mud Craft
Wanna be a hot mess in Gore? Confused by what that mouthful might entail? NovaStrong presents the annual Mud Craft race—a totally local obstacle run that challenges competitors to race an either six- or 10-kilometre route, peppered with slippery, suspenseful and swampy snags along the way. Oh, and it all takes place on a sprawling piece of farmland in Gore.
2240 Highway 202, Gore, $65-$75, novastrong.ca

June 25
Shubie Dooby Triathlon
An annual event with a perfect name, the Shubie Dooby features both olympic and sprint length triathlons in the beautiful Shubie Park. All proceeds go towards Give To Live—which has received over $35,000 from this event so far.
Lake Charles, 30 John Brenton Drive 8:15am, $56, facebook.com/ ShubieDoobyTriathlon

click to enlarge

EPIC Dartmouth
SUBMITTED

June 30-July 2
Epic Dartmouth
Not for the faint of heart, Epic Dartmouth is an annual day of hard competition, a massive triathlon event taking place across the City of Lakes. This year, for Canada 150, the event will take a new shape over the entirety of the weekend, with various competitive events—five run distances, a swim, a kids’ event and a try-a-tri, for the curious but not masochistic athletes—but not a long-distance triathlon. Read all about your options online!
Dartmouth, epicdartmouth.com

July 7-9
Antigonish Highland Games
Ceilidhs, concerts under the stars and clan gatherings are among the tradition-steeped activities on offer at this festival. There’s an intensely sporty side to this gathering too—runs, bike races, farmers’ walk and the wild and wonderful Scottish heavy events (these ones you probably don’t want to sign up for unless you’re a qualified brute). If you’re feeling strong after taking part in the tug-of-war, watch the caber toss or the hammer throw and be humbled.
Antigonish, $70 festival pass, antigonishhighlandgames.ca

OUT OF TOWN
July 8
Mud Hero
You might think there isn’t much going on at Ski Martock during the green season, but Mud Hero is back yet again with its six-kilometre, filthy, dirty obstacle course through the woods. With over 18 barriers to surpass—ropes, slides, walls and mud pits—this race will result in the best kind of mess possible. Gather your dream team and your cheering squad, and save a little energy for the after party.
Ski Martock, 370 Ski Martock Road Windsor, $69-84, mudhero.com

OUT OF TOWN
July 29
East Hants Tidal Run
Perhaps wear a pair of runners you don’t mind destroying for this event, where the county of East Hants invites you to run your buns off on the ocean floor. Choose from two-and-a-half, five- and 10-kilometre races and take in the stunning views along the way.
Burntcoat Head Park, 611 Burntcoat Head Road, Noel 10am, $30, easthants.ca

July 29
Goodlife City Chase
Channelling Amazing Race in its speed-meets-smarts approach, the City Chase challenges
pairs to navigate the city based on clues, collecting points along the way. It’s a a six-hour endeavour that will have you running all over our fair city, racing to unlock every hint and get to the finish line first.
Halifax, $135-$150, goodlifefitnesscitychase.ca

click to enlarge

3x3 Canada Quest
FIBA

OUT OF TOWN
August 12
Not Since Moses
Five Islands is a site to be seen, a beautiful Nova Scotian destination where the sublime Bay of Fundy is the star of the show. For this annual event—eight years and counting—your race route is the bottom of the Bay itself. Yup, you’ll be running on the ocean floor, racing the highest tides in the world. There are both five- and 10-kilometre options for this picturesque feat of strength, both equally as stunning. At the finish line you’ll find yourself with a mucky pair of sneakers and new appreciation for Mother Nature.
$60, notsincemoses.com

September 2
5km Foam Fest
Ever wonder what it’s like to be inside a washing machine? This is a sort of athletic reenactment of a spin cycle—there’s dirt and mud, suds and bubbles, water, a “chamber of foam,” among other wild obstacles. Apparently this event pumps out 2.5 million cubic feet of foam over the duration of this race (let’s hope it’s enviro-friendly, eh?), so you best get your adrenaline pumping just as hard. Prices increase as the date gets closer, so register soon, cheapskates.
Hants County Exhibition, 221 Wentworth Road, Windsor, $42-$72, the5kfoamfest.com

HEY, SPORTS FANS
More of the spectating type?

June 24-August 5
Anchor City Rollers
Things are already rolling for Anchor City’s league play, but its not to late for you check on the action. Check our your local rough and tumble teams kicking some ass—and take the time to appreciate the players’ punny names—June 24, July 8, July 29 and August 5. It’ll be a smashing good time.
Mayflower Curling Club, 3000 Monaghan Drive, 7pm
anchorcityrollers.ca

August 4
WWE’s Live Summerslam Heatwave Tour
Nothing like watching bodies hit the floor in the Forum on a sweltering summer night. But seriously, this even is a big deal for wrestling fans out there, bringing the likes of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Alexa Bliss, Samoa Joe, Sasha Banks and Enzo Amore to town for a seasonal smackdown. Tickets are selling quick, so get on it.
Halifax Forum, 2901 Windsor Street, 6pm, $25-$55, halifaxforum.ca

August 16-19
Chester Race Week
The largest keel boat regatta in all of the land (Canada) takes over the town of Chester for a weekend every summer, bringing sailors from North America and beyond to Nova Scotia waters to battle each other—and the elements—on the water. Cheer ’em on, and take part in the festivities—nightly live music from Hopping Penguins, Party Boots and Asia Nu Gruv, food trucks and other dockside entertainment.
chesterraceweek.com