The Cabot Trail Relay Race is a 185 mile/298km, 17 stage relay race through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world! Legs vary from 12km to 20km in length and in difficulty from steep mountains in the Cape Breton Highlands to the gently rolling Margaree Valley.

Baddeck, Nova Scotia is host to this event which then travels through many small communities around the famous Cabot Trail. Spectacular scenery and friendly people abound, to make this a memorable race.


Competitive and recreational runners are welcome, but to keep the race moving along you must maintain a minimum pace of 10 minutes per mile. Runners under 16 years of age are not permitted to participate.

History

In 1988 the idea of holding a relay race around the Cabot Trail was created, and 6 teams of 17 runners per team tested out the feasibility of the idea. Thus was created one of the largest and most popular running events in eastern Canada. Now 60 teams from across Canada and the US compete in an event marked by team spirit and camaraderie. More than 1000 runners travel the Cabot Trail which offers some of the most challenging and spectacular terrain in North America.

The race takes place at the end of May in the shoulder tourist season and has done much to boost the economy of the small area, and encourages community groups to host fund raising events at the time of the relay. The race makes a contribution to the 3 hospitals along the race route, and in 1995 was instrumental in setting up bursaries for each of the four high schools on the Cabot Trail.

The race is organized by a dedicated group of volunteers who work hard to ensure that this event is truly memorable for all runners from recreational to highly competitive. In accordance with our mission statement we invite you to be a part of our truly unique event in the name of friendship and safety.

Mission Statement

The Cabot Trail Relay Association is committed to the promise of a unique running event, characterized by camaraderie, good sportsmanship and technical efficiency.

The Cabot Trail Relay will be organized and run in a manner that supports the sense of community and economic development of the Cabot Trail.