The Bay of Fundy International Marathon
Unfortunately we will be unable to bring back our unique two-country event in 2023. We are making various adjustments and planning now for 2024. We apologize to all of you who have been waiting for 2023 as we know this is very disappointing news. We will announce here as soon as more information becomes available.
As has been the practice during COVID it is likely that there will be an informal run in either Lubec or Campobello (or possibly both) on the original 25 June 2023 date and we will post information about that here.
Meanwhile, thank you for your continued support and we really look forward to seeing you again soon.
Happy Running.
Bay of Fundy International Marathon
Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada
and
Lubec, Maine, USA
Two Country Running
Marathon – Half-Marathon – Ultramarathon – 10K – Fun Runs
A set of unique races for the discerning runner: run across the Canada-USA border without stopping; no crowds; no traffic lights; no more than 350 runners in each event; beautiful scenery and the world’s biggest tides; bald eagles, seals, sometimes whales seen from the course; medals and awards handcrafted by local artists; a challenging (lots of hills) fully certified, chip timed, Boston qualifying, not-for-profit event organized jointly by the friendly welcoming communities of Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada and Lubec, Maine, USA on the shores of the magnificent Bay of Fundy.
“Epic. . . . the pure essence of what a marathon should be.”
“Awesome organization, beautiful course, small friendly town, breath-taking nature and scenery.”
“This race ranks right up there with the mega-runs in my book.”
“The medal is hand-crafted and very special–beautiful scallop shells – closer to jewelry than the usual medal.”
“Awesome pottery for winners.”
“Even the border agents were cheering us on!”
“You will never forget this place.”
We are two hours from the nearest major towns and commercial airports, and runners nearly outnumber residents on race weekend. If you want big crowds, bright lights, fancy hotels, bands on every corner, and cheap bling, this event is not for you. If you want to run from lighthouse to lighthouse through scenic fishing villages and spruce forests with bald eagles overhead and seals and sometimes whales seen from the course, then we might be what you are looking for–a small, friendly, two-country event with awards and medals handcrafted by local artists.
June temperatures are 10-20 C / 50-70 F, with cool ocean breezes from the Bay of Fundy and, if you need it, childcare can be arranged.
Runners in the marathon, half-marathon and ultra-marathon must have passports or other travel documents — but are pre-cleared by the border agencies during the registration process (you must arrive in Lubec by Saturday 6:00pm ET / 7:00pm AT) and can run through the borders without stopping using just their chipped bibs during the event.
Other weekend activities include a Saturday morning running tour of Lubec (slow 5K), a pre-race traditional outdoor lobster bake (pasta options also available) at Herring Cove Provincial Park, preceded by a 1 mile “Reach the Beach” Fun Run for kids, a second kids “USA to Canada, and back” Fun Run race morning (passports not required), a street fair, a post race dance party on the waterfront featuring local bands, and a special programme of activity including “Tea with Eleanor” and the behind the scenes “Fun Tour” for recovering runners at the Roosevelt-Campobello International Park on the Monday morning.
In addition to having fun in a unique small cross-border scenic low key event, qualifying for Boston, running their first ultra, full or half marathon, or a 10K from the most easterly point in the USA, runners have so far raised over $25,000 for local food banks, schools and other beneficiaries. The 2020 recipient of runner contributions will be the Lubec Communtiy Food Bank managed by the Lubec Community Outreach Centre.