Bay of Fundy International Marathon - Race Reviews

The race is a special experience and must do. Two countries, crossing the border twice, light houses, well organized, well stocked, great event. Wonderful fans and communities who embrace the event and you. Shorter distances available including a kids run, and an ultra as an option too, so the weekend should match nearly every runner's preference. Hills weren't as bad as anticipated but do make for a longer day. No real shade so bring extra sunscreen. Views and volunteers pull you through in the last six miles. Border Agents on both sides are fantastic. A must do!

I needed a late spring marathon in the northeast, and this one seemed to be highly enjoyed by past participants so I gave it a shot. What a find! As other commenters have said, it is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Lubec and Campobello Island have stunning coastal views throughout much of the race, and their beauty is only matched by the enthusiasm of their volunteers. The residents seem genuinely grateful for our being there, and they are eager to cheer you on by name. The course itself was particularly challenging for me. I thought that because I train in the Adirondack mountains that the hills wouldn't be that big of a deal, but they are steep and frequent. I'm sure there were other factors, but this added a whopping 40 minutes to my other marathon time. Even with that disappointment though, the people and location made it all worth it. I can't recommend it highly enough.

This race was amazing. The scenery in particular is rustic and spectacular--Lubec and Campobello are hidden gems. I suspect that, in time, this race will become a rather famous pursuit for runners. The hills were tough, but not as brutal as implied in other reviews (coming from someone who trained for this race on relatively flat roads). The course has an array of wonderful sights--villages, coves, marshland, lighthouses, and, of course, the border. The scenery and the camaraderie with other runners helped mitigate the effects of the hills! The most enjoyable aspect of the race was the people. The residents of Lubec and Campobello put on a well-organized race. Plus, everyone greets you with enthusiasm and hospitality. The border agents, on both sides, made the check-in process quick and efficient--and they cheered you on during the race! Truly, the locals made this event special. The runners, too, are very cordial, for it is a rather small race. Runners started introducing themselves in the local school's 'Hoosiers'-style gym, where packet pickup is. There is a very quaint picnic in New Brunswick, where bib pickup is, and more socializing there. The camaraderie continues on the school bus ride to the starting line, during the race, and at the finishing area. This was a great experience!

Wonderful experience!!! I loved both Canadian and American anthems at the start line. Very well organized. I drove the course the day before and I am glad I did. It prepared me...so Be prepared for HILLS!!! I do not have a lot of hills where I live so training for a hilly marathon wasn't very easy but if you live in a hilly area, this might not be so bad for you. Take my advise, the first 6 miles are a piece of cake and deceiving when you have lots of gas in the tank. I paced myself the whole way as much as I felt I could run much faster, I kept that steady pace and all those people that ran ahead of me, I passed the last 6 miles when you are running hill after hill. So, take it from me. conserve and hold back you will be glad you did come mile 20 and you're running and passing everyone walking. 2016 was a hot sunny day but I am used to running in hot humid weather. Finish was quaint with a hometown feel.The whole town looks forward to this marathon and they are great! The local food was so so. But then again, I'm a picky eater. Finishers shirt and medal were awesome and unique. Listen to all the others and BOOK YOUR ROOM EARLY!! Overall I loved traveling to Maine and saw Bar Harbor and Acadia National park prior to the marathon and made for a spectacular trip!

This is a fun, well-organized race, with lots of hills. It was a hot day for this year's event, which made the 7am start seem later than appropriate, especially given that sunrise occurs around 4:30am. Since morning temperatures can be much cooler (they were on the days leading up to the race), I understand not starting earlier (for the sake of volunteers as well). Packet pickup is an adventure, as you get passport approved and checked off with both Canadian and U.S. border officials. It wasn't at all onerous; everyone was nice throughout the process. Do you want to drive the course in advance? That depends. Some I talked to were glad they hadn't because the hill profile was intimidating even in a car. Others wished they hadn't. Some were glad they did (I was - I can't change what the conditions will be, but at least I can mentally prepare for them). Like many small town races, it was easier to get to know the other runners. I shared drugs (naproxen) with one on the bus ride to the start; another I coached/encouraged as he finished his first marathon. We also enjoyed the small town hospitality; it's clear the residents of Lubec and Campobello Island take pride in this event and look forward to putting it on and supporting the runners. Despite it being a small town, there were lots of people cheering on the runners, even if from their porch high on an overlooking hill. My enjoyment of a marathon doesn't depend much on cheering fans - I enjoy them if they're there and embrace the solitude if they aren't. If big crowds are important to you, small town races generally aren't for you (or at least you might rate the spectators lower). If you're able, give yourself a few days in the region to visit Campobello Island and Acadia National Park (a couple hours to the southwest). Acadia has some 161 hiking trails, plus carriage roads that are great for non-technical trail running. We flew in and out of Boston, so we were able to visit a number of sites along the way. Lubec has great restaurants but not a ton of lodging, so make sure you book early. We were fortunate to book at the Betsy Ross, so our room overlooked the finish line (and the walk to the starting shuttles was about 1/4 mile). The post-race food was awesome (chocolate milk, soup, bananas, bagels, oranges, etc.). The medal was nice. The long sleeve tech shirt design was nice; the actual printed version was heavier than previous years, but otherwise good. Make sure to enjoy some lobster while you're there. Great event

This is a small marathon in Lubec, Maine and Canada, but will likely remain one of my favorites. Lots of aid stations and music given the size of this race. Very organized packet and bib pickup as well as transportation to the start and back to the school after the finish. Soup, chocolate milk and chips at the finish. Hand-crafted medals. It was very warm this year, so was more challenging than normal. I highly recommend this marathon.

This was my 33rd marathon, and it was humbling to end up in the 'medical library' after finishing with a core temperature of 94 degrees. As an MD myself, I am very grateful to the efforts of the attending medical personnel who effectively and rapidly treated my hypothermia with 2 liters of warm iv solution. The organization and volunteers were superb! The severity of my hypothermia was exacerbated by waiting in cold rain for my wife to finish. As it turned out, she had finished her half-marathon race minutes earlier. Attentive, cheerful, thoughtful volunteers were able to find her and reassure our kids who were in the marathon's daycare. I agree with earlier comments. The marathon course was very hilly, the half far less according to my wife. The determination of volunteers and spectators to support runners on a very cold and windy day certainly made up for lack of numbers. Only disappointment was that the marathon website indicated that 'walk-in' tickets could be purchased for the pre-race meal onsite. This did not turn out to be true. We were turned away both at pasta dinner in Lubec and lobster bake in Canada. Would advise buying tickets in advance as it was difficult to find a good pre-marathon dining alternative. Also on the border your cellphone will not reliably work. I could not contact my wife because of this. Even worse, your cell will ping off Canadian towers. ATT charged me for hundreds of dollars in roaming charges even though the phone was in airplane mode when we crossed the border. I would definitely run this marathon again! The course beauty and the warmth of the local Lubec and Campobello Islanders made BFIM a fabulous destination marathon for our family.

Although this was my first marathon, I have run other distance races, including several with 20,000+ runners. This marathon had fewer than 200 runners! I don't think I'll ever run another mega event after this charmer. BFIM was extremely well organized and had great community support. The swag was better and more meaningful than your average race: shirts made in the US by a Maine company out of recycled plastic bottles; medals hand cast from pewter by a local artist (and they can actually be worn as jewelry!); lobster bait bags for your gear; carved pottery trophies (gorgeous trophies) by a local artist for the winners. You felt like a guest welcomed to the town; not just a number. The bibs had our names on them, which in a race this small had the same effect as name tags at a cocktail party  people actually referred to you by name. Now some people probably wouldn't like the course because once you're on Campobello Island it really starts to roll a lot (my quads don't usually hurt from hill work but they did from this). However, I still gave the course a 5 for two reasons: 1) it's mentally engaging; 2) having the turn for home from the second light house at mile 16 works really well psychologically  I never hit a wall. It was about getting to that turn, and then it all felt downhill from there (even though it was actually uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill, etc!). It was also a very pretty course; and the air in Maine is just brilliant. Support on course was excellent and locals were scattered throughout the course cheering us on. Water and Gatorade were available every 2 miles; while race marshals and paramedics circulated the course on bicycles (there was also a paramedic vehicle patrolling). The only improvement I'd make is to add another bathroom in the stretch before the turn around. Finish line amenities were also really good and clearly runner savvy: hot soup, chocolate milk, fruit, salted snacks, ice cream, and more. I also have to commend the medical team. It was 55 and raining during the race. While perfect for running it also presented a risk of hypothermia and/or dehydration cases  and there were several reported. Medical personnel were watching the runners in the recovery area to protect us from our own stupidity. They were quite vigilant about sending people into the medical area set up in the library. I ended up getting some assistance myself and it was a really great medical team. I finished this feeling relieved I didn't have to run it again any time soon, but I also couldn't wait to run it again! Definitely will return in 2016. If you want to feel like a rock star instead of a number, you should run this race too!

If you are planning on running the Bay of Fundy International Marathon here are a few things you'll need to know: 1. Book your lodging early! (The Eastland Motel was great!) 2. Make sure your passport is current. Bib pickup is on Campobello Island while bag pickup is in Lubec - they do this because you have to get your passport checked at the border. Plan to wait in line on the Roosevelt Bridge going both ways. 3. We had the pasta dinner in Lubec simply because we were staying in Lubec. The other option is a lobster dinner on Campobello. Chose the one that is closer to where you are staying. (One of my friends' name was not on the list for the pasta dinner and was turned away.) 4. The course is HILLY!!!! We had temps in the low 50s, a little rain and overcast skies. The course doesn't offer much shade so we were glad for the clouds. 5. Don't expect to find many restrooms on the course. And if there is one on the opposite side of the road you will NOT be able to use it. (Personally I had a problem with this. I understand the safety aspect but human compassion should kick in at some point.) 6. The spectators were awesome! 7. Cool race shirt with a great design. 8. The area around Lubec and Campobello Island is beautiful! We saw bald eagles, explored the East and West Quoddy lighthouses and visited FDR's Campobello. The people were welcoming and friendly. I'm giving 4 stars for the organization because of the bathroom situation on the course and my friend being turned away from the dinner. Otherwise it was a great race!

The web site stated the course closed in 6 1/2 hours. I looked at the elevation chart before I registered. It is a challenging course and I did not think I could run the marathon in under 6 1/2 hours so I opted for the early start. I was not told until I lined up at the start that the time for early start people would not be counted. We would be given the clock time when we crossed the finish line & would have to figure it out. We did cross over an active mat at the start line, along the way and at the finish line. I did finish in just under 6 1/2 hours but cannot find the clock time on the website anywhere. I do have it on my Garmin. Runners taking the early start who finish in under 6 hours are disqualified so no elite runner will start early just to go home early. At least I have my bib & medal for the 50 state club. There is no reason not to count the time in such a small race. They might get more entries. Runners who crossed the road for any reason were to be disqualified. There was a PortiPotty at the start and the next one I saw on my side of the road was at mile 11. I know they cannot close the roads but traffic was very limited. Volunteers were numerous and fabulous. Spectators were few but enthusiastic. Food and cover at the end were wonderful. The hot broth was greatly appreciated because my last 3 hours or so was in the cold rain. It is a beautiful area but I would not run this again because of the timing issue.

Wow! This was a GREAT marathon. Not only it was well organized, it was also very interesting. From the start at the lighthouse, to the 2 national anthems (a runner sang the American one), to the custom officers smiling and cheering you on outside their booth, to the homemade goodies at the finish line (the soup was my favorite), everything was great. Yes, reserve a room early, this is a very small town. Yes, be prepared for hills, Heartbreak Hill was nothing compared to this non stop rolling terrain. The scenery and the people give you the energy to finish. I met some awesome runners with whom we shared fun stories at the local pub afterwards. We stayed at the Cohill's Inn, a few blocks from the finish line. They had a little goody bag waiting for us at our door the morning of the race, a nice touch! Keep up the good work with the organization, it is greatly appreciated.

If you are looking for a marathon with amazing community feel and an Amazing course, this is it! The involved. Be prepared for the hills! There are a few. I have run 31 marathons in 5 years and this might be my favorite. So much enthusiasm, very affordable lodging and a lot to see. I don't usually re-do states, but I may bring some runner friends next year just for the course. Loved it. Awesome pottery for winners too...

I had heard about this marathon from a person who ran the inaugural race last year and my curiosity was piqued when he said the 'goodie' bag was a fishnet bag. I'm all about something different so I looked it up. Being new to New England I'm also enjoying checking out the regional runs. I have run several marathons previously so was not looking for all the fanfare of a large race and the scenery looked beautiful. This was a very small race, but from the very beginning I could tell they knew what they were doing. They responded to my questions quickly and when I found out the town was sold out of lodging accommodations, I was able to rent a room from a local homeowner on Campobello Island. If you decide to run this race, book a room early! The organization for this run was great and the volunteers (almost the entire town) were so friendly! My husband and I have been to much larger races where we did not feel as welcomed as we were here. We were pre-cleared at both borders the evening before then went to the pasta and lobster dinner! On race morning we sang both the Canadian and American national anthems. We only ran about 6 miles in the U.S. then crossed the border and ran 19 miles on Campobello Island. There were many beautiful views of the ocean - I carried my camera with me and got several great shots! This is a challenging course with many rolling hills, but none that were horrible. There were also several stretches where I was running by myself. On the island, there were few spectators, but of those that were out, they were all so cheerful and encouraging. An eagle seemed to follow me above for a distance and that was cool. The course is an out and back, but once across the U.S. border it is but 300 yards to the finish and the whole town was there. They put on a good spread at the finish line also! This race ranks right up there with the mega-runs in my book. If you are looking for a peaceful, serene, scenic run with a hometown feel, this is the race for you!

Loved the course, the unique location, the ocean views, the short-but-ever- challenging hills, the small town spectators. Packet pickup was well organized and the pre-race dinner (with local musicians) was DOWNRIGHT AWESOME. But post-race was a major downer, and left a bad taste. Organization fell apart here. Bags left on the dirt (w/o even a tarp), stingy about the food (come on, I just ran a marathon; I can't have 2 yogurts?), tiny area for runners with nowhere to lay down and rest, no awards announcements or schedule and no sense of how to distribute awards appropriately. The post-race 'party' was come-and-support-the-local-economy-with-its-inflated-prices-on-Main-Street. The area is great for nature, but not much else doing. In the end, I took away a PR, but I'll not come back to this one. They really need to get their act together to make post-race something better than a slap in the face.

What a lovely spot for a marathon! Great sense of community and home town pride in Lubec and Campobello. The locals made the race, they were out cheering and supporting the runners and everyone seemed to be involved. The lobster supper the night before is a must, and the expo is quaint. Great organization throughout, flawless really especially considering it was the inaugural race. The course is extremely difficult, no flat sections at all, just hard hitting hills that take a lot without giving a lot back, so be prepared for that challenge, the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars (a challenge can be wonderful!) is because the roads are very steeply crowned for almost the entire course, which is really hard on the whole bod (not to mention your feet - the black toenails were this particular race's badge of honour). I would suggest walking across the border to pick up your bib/have it validated instead of driving, because the border is open for regular traffic, the wait time just to get over the bridge can obviously get a little ridiculous - something like a 45 minutes to an hour sitting in the car when it was maybe only a ten minute walk. The only comment I would have for the race organizers is to try and keep the water stations manned after mile 22 next year, there seemed to be many that were shut down or out of water - with an empty fuel belt by that point, I despaired that I didn't have the option. Dress for every kind of weather on race day - it was humid, cold, foggy, rainy and sunny! And mostly enjoy the whales off the coast of Campobello and that salt air.

I agree with all the preceding comments. Be sure and get a hotel quickly. The town is small and does not have much. Be sure to visit the FDR summer cottage. Be sure and pack something warm for the half mile walk from the finish line back to your car. The area right around the bridge is often 15F colder than elsewhere. The locals take it for granted and don't mention it on the website. The med people were worried about hyperthermia and wound up with a few hypothermia cases. The pickup is a little clunky. They make you pick up the number in NB and the shirt in ME. They really don't make it clear how long the NB volunteers will be there. Saturday is probably the busiest day of the year for the border patrol of both nations. If they could figure out a way to end the race in NB, it could count for either NB or ME, and it would be the largest marathon in NB.

I needed to get Maine out of the way on my quest for 50 states. This was number 16 and the visions of ocean waves, whales, lighthouses and lobster made this a no brainer. I stayed on the Island in Canada at the Owen house. All the other folks staying there were there for the marathon, and it made it very special. All the people in Lubec and Campabello were sweet. You could tell how important it was to everyone to have a good event. The course was very nice, but I learned a lesson. Sometimes, it may be better just 'run and smell the roses'. I wanted to get my best time possible and it was a wasteful pursuit. Hill after hill, after hill made this marathon one of my proudest achievements. Next time though, I will tone down my speed if I find my self on similar marathon course. I will not take off and leave my running friends behind, because they had enough sense to 'run and smell the bay'. Do this marathon, bring your wife and make it a lovely weekend trip. You will never forget this place. My wife and I want to back there again on vacation.

This was my first marathon and I picked it in part because it had a good chance of being cool and far enough out that I could get decent training in. The fact that it was the first time it had been held and got to run in two countries was an added benefit. In retrospect, there was a LITTLE licence calling them 'gently rolling' hills. Due to some tendinitis, I never got in a sufficient long run, so was undertrained, and suffered the effects the last few miles. The course was difficult, but now I know that if I can finish this one, the next (and there will be a next) will feel so much easier. The race weekend was special. We stayed at a B&B on Campobello and everyone else there were also running or with a runner, so breakfasts were very entertaining. The whole area seemed very excited about the race. it seemed that half the people volunteered and the other half were along the course cheering. Even the border patrol from both countries were cheering the runners as we crossed both ways. All the water stops seemed to be well stocked to me. And since I did a 5:29, they had plenty of time to run out. The pasta dinner was tasty, a little bit of a wait to get in, but again everyone was so welcoming. about the only complaint was that they should have had a few more portapotties at the start and along the way. The finish line was right on Main (Water) street and everyone was announced as they finished. The medal is hand crafted and very special. plenty of post race goodies too. no problem with any running out. My wife and I loved the area and spent a lot of time touristing. I may not have a lot of marathons left in me, but I will definitely consider doing this again next year. Many kudos to everyone associated with this race.

My 38th marathon and probably one of, if not, the toughest course. Constant challenging hills, but with great views and great support. The crowds were small except at the finish, but very supportive. Even the border control agents were cheering us on! A rather remote place but great things to do and see, especially the tide changes in the Bay of Fundy. And great food: Lobster, lobster, lobster everywhere. For an inaugural event the logistics were flawless.

Lubec is what you would expect in a coastal Maine village. Fishing boats, piers, wooded islands, a lighthouse, quaint shoppes, and friendly people. The town is not large, but was very supportive of the race. A lot of people along the course were out on the lawns cheering on the runners. The route, from lighthouse to lighthouse, is scenic, but very hilly so be mentally prepared for that. Running into Canada was a bonus. The organization was very good. To pick up your bib you had to cross over into Canada and get your passport scanned by both Canadian and USA border agents, which while not exactly easy, was fun and unique. Anyway, other than the hilly course, this was a great experience.

Think Maine in June - cool weather, terrific scenery and a great (if hilly!) course. Add to that near total community support and a dedicated race committee. Add to that the US/Canada Border crossings and the immense support of all safety and government forces. The Saturday Supper? Lobster (optional), pasta and homemade cookies and goodies. I think most of the town was at the finish line, and the buffet there was grand! Then we get to the medals - beautiful scallop shells - closer to jewelry than the usual medal. Oh, and this was an inaugural! Very much looking forward to next year! Thank you, Lubec, Maine!

The food line the evening before was not just well planned but an enjoyable and relaxed time while entertained by the University of Maine, Machias Ukelele band with ample seating outside to continue the music. Buses left on time for the early start and we were sent on our way by two lovely acapella renditions of the Star Spangled Banner and Oh Canada; moving and serene at the same time. Course is flat for 5 plus miles and then you go up and over the Rossevelt bridge onto Campobello where gentle hills transition into short more intense mounds miles 13 - 19. The turn around is at 16 miles - so you start at West Quoddy Head and run to East Quoddy Head before the turn around. Overall, a feeling that we were all welcome, that the organizers had put so much thought and attention to detail; as shown by the Boston qualifier status and the superb coordination between the race organizers and the respective countries customs and border rotection services. Thank you for such a delightful race!!

Course: This was a brutal course. The hills were constant, some were steep and short, others were long and steady inclines. Very few flat sections, if any. The roads were a bit crowned for a lot of the race, and since there was no crossing the yellow line it can take a toll on the knees and hips. The scenery was beautiful, however there was complete exposure to the elements... luckily it was overcast for most of the run. There were a handful of amazing views of the bay with bald eagles and a great sea breeze. Organization: I did notice the last couple water stops were out of water, so nothing after mile 20 or 22, which is the only reason I didn't give the organization 5 stars, everything else was wonderful. The volunteers and everyone in the town were absolutely welcoming and wonderful. Spectators: The spectators were great, but few and far in between once you enter Canada. This is a lonely race, so if you like a desolate course battling the elements with tough hills, this is perfect, but if you rely on spectator support and shady flat courses, this might not be the race for you.