The Medavie Blue Nose Marathon takes place in Halifax each May, with the 2026 edition scheduled for May 15, 2026. Organized by Blue Nose Marathon — a community-based, volunteer-driven non-profit born in 2004 — the event has grown from a single marathon into a city-wide Victoria Day weekend festival that celebrates running across Halifax and Dartmouth.

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Race weekend spreads across multiple days and includes a two-day Active Living Expo. Distances cover a broad range: 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, a marathon team relay, and Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run options of 2KM and 4KM. The Expo serves as the central participant hub and historically hosts race kit pick-up at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth.

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What sets Blue Nose apart is its community focus. More than 1,000 volunteers staff the weekend, and the Giv’er Charity Challenge engages over 80 charities — a program that has raised more than $6.2 million to date. The Expo brings more than 80 booths that promote active living, and the organization has highlighted sustainability through formal reporting and certification milestones in recent years, underlining a commitment to responsible event practice.

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Runners and walkers who need flexibility will find transfer and deferral options: transfers and No Sweat deferrals are available through 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, subject to published fees. Participants with questions about transfers, deferrals or support person arrangements can contact Blue Nose Marathon staff ahead of race weekend.

• Event is staged on city streets in Halifax with portions that highlight both Halifax and Dartmouth communities.
• Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run offers 2KM and 4KM courses; stroller and baby-jogger participants must use a separate chute on Cogswell St and position at the back of the start.
• Race kit pick-up and the Active Living Expo are held at Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth.
• A marathon team relay option lets teams cover the full marathon distance together.

• Charity fundraising engine: The Giv’er Charity Challenge features 80+ registered charities and has raised more than $6.2 million.
• Expo-based kit pick-up: A two-day Active Living Expo at Zatzman Sportsplex hosts over 80 booths and serves as the central kit pick-up location.
• Youth run accommodations: Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run offers 2KM and 4KM options with a separate chute on Cogswell St for strollers and back-of-line positioning.
• Volunteer-powered production: More than 1,000 volunteers support course operations, aid, and community engagement throughout race weekend.
• Sustainability recognition: The event has published sustainability reports and achieved formal responsible-event certification milestones.