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
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
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