Johnny Miles marathon
June 21
Victoria Day weekend delivers an annual disincentive for HRM’s
would-be marathoners, as hordes of Bluenosers (often sporting toques
and mittens) stand grim-faced at the starting line, contemplating the
42.4 hilly kilometers in their immediate futures.
Fear not, oh hesitant ones—it doesn’t have to be that way. You can
run in the warmth of summer, you don’t have to run in a crowd and
attractive courses exist that won’t kill your spirit with hills. “I
think that the Johnny Miles marathon is one that would attract a lot of
first-timers,” says race director Terry Curley. “We’ve stressed the
safety of our runners by capping the number of participants and our
course, with virtually no hills, is really user-friendly.” So wander up
to Pictou County to kick off your summer and see how “pleasant” a
marathon can be. Then get your lazy arse in gear and start training for
2010. (TR)
Breakaway Cycling Race Day
August 2
This three-races-in-one-day event is unique for Nova Scotia, but
it’s been a proven winner overseas. “Similar events are really popular
in Europe,” says organizer Alan Mumford. “Everyone has Sundays off and
can devote an entire day to racing. But over there, it’s usually two
events with a sprint and a longer road race.” This version starts with
a 7.75k hill climb through Ellershouse, moves on to a rolling 42k race
through Avondale, then wraps up with a 9.4k individual time trial, or
“race of truth”, through the back roads of Windsor. Racers win points
for each leg and most overall points wins the day. Mumford, a cyclist
who knows the expense and time required to organize a race, started
Breakaway Cycling Promotions with the hopes of ensuring consistent
racing through the Nova Scotian summer. His two goals are to reach (and
maintain) an eight-event season while attracting new riders in the
meantime. (TR)
Aileen Meagher International Track Classic
July 1
“Me run more fast than you,” one caveman (likely) grunted to his
clan-mate one day. This taunting led to an argument that could be
resolved in only one manner: sprinting from the gnarled tree to the big
rock. Humans have been fascinated with racing ever since. “Everyone’s
raced against someone at some point in their lives,” says Kevin
Heisler, Director for the Aileen Meagher International Track Classic.
“And if you like watching races, well, this event always has
great races.” That’s because meet organizers make sure Nova
Scotia’s top track talent participates, then jack up the competition by
importing elite competitors from across Canada, the US and the
Caribbean. Events include the popular 100m and 200m sprints as well as
400m, 800m and 1,500m runs, “Geezer Mile” races for entrants of both
genders aged 50 or above and shot put and long jump on the infield.
(TR)
Dragon Boat Festival
July 11
Do you hear that drum beating? You will soon, as Manulife’s Dragon
Boat Festival breathes fire into your Saturday July 11. Taking place on
beautiful Lake Banook, this is a perfect opportunity to hang out with a
group of friends or coworkers and support the Nova Scotia Amateur Sport
Fund. Teams of 20—plus the littlest person on your team, who’ll be
the drummer—will helpfully scream their encouragement and frustration
out while participating in friendly races throughout the day. Never
rowed a dragon boat before? That’s fine, as the boats are said to be
stable and great for learning. That being said, The Coast doesn’t take
any responsibility for you tipping on race day. Other, drier activities
include Chinese cultural entertainment, eating Chinese food, a
tug-of-war and a mini sports fair. The registration fee is $1,000 plus
tax, which is often paid by the company or organization sponsoring the
team; it can also be raised by participants for the Sport Fund.
(HG)
Canoe Sprint World Championships
August 12-16
So what if HRM didn’t land AC/DC? The home page for the ICF Canoe
Sprint World Championships points out that Dartmouth is about to host
“the largest international sporting event held in Canada to date.” How
you like them apples, Moncton?
Even better, a number of Canadian paddlers grew up on the waters of
Lake Banook, the venue for the entire event. “To paddle at a home world
championships is extremely special,” former Coast cover girl Karen
Furneaux wrote from Europe in late May. “There’s always a home lake
advantage—it’s our back yard! I always envision the crowd pulling me
in those final few meters to the finish line. This time, it will be
real.”
Not sure if paddling is your thing? Search some pics of the
competitors and you might be tempted to sit lakeside for an afternoon.
Come for the eye candy, stay for the hometown heroes to reach the
podium. (800 volunteers needed, including country liaisons, which might
interest the multi-lingual.) (TR)
Nova Scotia Keltics vs. New Brunswick Black Spruce
June 27
The Keltics’ home opener features two rivals fighting for the
Atlantic championship as the former Rugby Canada Super League takes on
a revamped, regional form (still commonly referred to as “The Super
League”). In another twist, the Keltics’ best players will suit up this
fall alongside the best from Newfoundland and New Brunswick in an
Atlantic selects squad, one of four Canadian entries in an eight-team
tournament to determine a champion of the Americas. “If a player wants
to make the national team, this league is the clear pathway,” says
Keltics head coach Troy Myers. “Playing in the Atlantic league in the
summer can now lead to a lot more exposure to Rugby Canada team
selectors.” Myers points out that some players commute from the Valley,
Cape Breton and even Newfoundland, at their own expense, to suit up
with the Keltics. Curious Haligonians can just show up and enjoy
(without fear of broken bones). (TR)
Summer Surf Sociable
August 1
This awesomely alliterative aquatic action, brought to you by the
Surfing Association of Nova Scotia (SANS), features a surf contest,
beach games and music, though it’s about more than just catching waves.
“It’s a community- and family-oriented event in which we try to involve
environmental organizations to communicate coastal concerns and raise
beach awareness,” says Amy Schwarz, SANS vice-president and policy
director. “It also provides another way for surfers from all over to
get to know each other.” The Surf Sociable reflects SANS’ ongoing
commitment to beaches, the communities that surround them and the
people that use them. A similar event last year raised money for signs
on Lawrencetown Beach promoting surf etiquette and beach etiquette. But
put the event’s lofty goals aside for a moment and admit you simply
can’t go wrong with the beach in August. Everyone knows the summertime
golden equation: good people x (sun + waves) = bitchin’ fun. (TR)
Antigonish Highland Games
July 17-July 19
Stan Rogers sang of the giant Fingal who calls Cape Breton home. If
Fingal crosses the Strait of Canso to Antigonish in mid-July, he might
meet his match at the inaugural International Highland Games Federation
World Team Championship. One of the American teams boasts five-time
world champ Ryan Vierra, who weighs in at 320 pounds and can throw a
16-pound hammer more than 50 yards. Not big enough? How about Team
Europe’s 6’10”, 340-pound Tommy DeBruijn? The two Canadian teams are
entirely made up of Maritimers and include four-time and current
national champion Greg Hadley (no sprite himself at 273 pounds). The
big boys will participate in all the traditional events, with a “best
total distance” system determining the winning team. The brutishness of
rock-tossing and tug-of-war will be somewhat offset by highland dancing
and pipe & drum competitions as well as ceilidhs all weekend
long.(Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for the events
held at the field.) (TR)
Atlantic CAT 250
August 7-8
Louder than an IMAX and with more squealing tires than the Fast
& Furious franchise, screw the spring blockbuster—hit the
races and catch some rays in the meantime!
The Atlantic CAT 250 is the local jewel in the CARQUEST Pro Stock
Tour’s “Triple Crown” series, a trio of races with enough prize money
to attract a lot of non-Nova Scotian racers. So many newcomers might
not be great for safety, suggests Craig Slaunwhite, the 2008 tour
Rookie of the Year. “Scotia Speedworld is more of a flat track where
you have to feather the throttle,” Slaunwhite says. “You’ll see the
guys who’ve raced the track before using more finesse than the guys who
haven’t…there’ll be lots of door-banging.” Other attractions include
Friday’s qualifying event with live music, face painting for the kids
and meet-and-greets with the racers, as well as rental headsets to
listen in on the driver/crew teams during Saturday’s race. (TR)
National senior men’s baseball championship
August 20-23
Baseball is the perfect sport for the dog days of summer, especially
this August when the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League provides two of
the 10 teams competing for national supremacy. The Dartmouth Moosehead
Dry are tournament hosts and three-time national champions while the
Halifax Pelham Canadians represent Nova Scotia after winning last
year’s provincial championships. “It’ll be a huge experience,” says
Dartmouth’s Darren Doucette, eight-time NSSBL home-run king. “It’s my
11th year and (Dartmouth’s three-time league MVP) Joel Irvine’s 18th,
and while we both wish we could’ve done this sooner, it’s a great way
to end a career. Knowing the field and knowing the hitting background
should give us an edge.” Tournament organizers intentionally scheduled
Dartmouth’s and Halifax’s games at different times so local fans
wouldn’t have to decide between the two. So chill the eff out and grab
a hot dog and a cold drink—it’s mandatory ballpark behaviour.
(TR)
Provincial senior soccer championships
August 22
Nova Scotia’s premiere senior soccer leagues mimic the top European
leagues in many ways—the same three or four teams always seem to sit
atop both the standings and the contenders’ title struggle never fails
to deliver drama in both men’s and women’s leagues. On the men’s side
last year, Halifax City’s triumph in the title game spoiled an
otherwise perfect season for Halifax Dunbrack, which is already off to
another flying start in ’09. The Halifax City women also upset last
year’s season champs, Dartmouth United, in the final en route to the
provincial crown. The Nova Scotia Soccer League shook things up this
year, awarding three post-season berths in each league instead of four
and slotting the regular season champs automatically in the final.
(TR)
Gore Fest
August 8 and 9
The new Gore Fest organizer, Michael Phillips, swears blood and guts
don’t play a part in the August festival, so you can rest assured the
mountain biking weekend extravaganza really is family friendly. Located
in Gore, Nova Scotia, the first day of the festival welcomes families
and mountain bikers with camping and events such as an evening barbecue
and bonfire. Sunday kicks off with the eight-hour mountain bike race.
You can ride the eight-kilometre course solo, or team it with up to two
others and pass a baton along for timed intervals. The festival takes
place on the Blois family’s farmland, where the annual mountain biking
weekend has been hosted for years. This gathering of mountain bikers
usually attracts between 100 and 200 participants and while
registration fees have yet to be determined, you can keep checking the
website for updates. (HG)
Sidney crosby Stanley Cup Parade
They did it in Pittsburgh on June 15, a victory parade for the
Penguins, the Stanley Cup champions for 2009. Now we all know that
every member of that amazing team will get to bring the cup home for a
day this summer, we just don’t know the schedule, or when the youngest
captain to ever lead his team to the Stanley Cup will get his shot in
the rotation. But if Pittsburgh can do it, doesn’t Cole Harbour’s
favourite son deserve a parade here in Halifax on the day he gets the
trophy? It’s not like he’ll just be sitting at home with it, hanging
out on the couch, drinking a Keith’s out of the cup. That isn’t what
you’re planning, is it Sid? (CK)
Laser World Championships
August 20-September 5
Another aquatic world championship splashes down on Nova Scotia to
close out the summer, with the Laser World Championships dominating St.
Margarets Bay in late August and early September (Laser-class boats are
the most popular Olympic-class sailboats in the world). It’s expected
to be the largest sailing event in Canadian history, which should make
the scenery even more spectacular in one of Canada’s postcard capitals.
“People can take in the sights from all kinds of vantage points,” says
event manager Duncan Enman, who suggests Queensland Beach, Peggys Cove
Road and St. Margarets Bay Road as spots for spectators. “With up to
400 competitors and 100 support boats, there will be lots to see!” The
Laser Worlds have lots of room for volunteers of all ages and all
levels of boating experience. (TR)
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2009.
Loving that you listed soccer here. Things are changing.