Pick & Shovel Showdown

Event overview

The Pick & Shovel Showdown is a trail running event held in Waverley, Nova Scotia on January 24, 2026. The event is the fourth edition and is based at McDonald Sports Park. The Cheema Canoe Club will serve as the start/finish and warmup area. Online registration is closed and the main 8-hour endurance category is listed as sold out.

Format and course

The event uses an endurance format: all 8-hour competitors begin with a 10 km effort (two laps) and then continue on additional laps of about 6 km each for as long as they wish up to the official race end. There is no per-lap time limit. Competitors must start subsequent laps before the race cutoff and complete their final lap before the event finish for that lap to count. In the event of a tie for most laps, the competitor with the faster 10 km time is ranked higher. The course is described as very runnable with good footing when not buried in snow; the area tends to be well packed in winter conditions.

Amenities, prizes, and policies

The Cheema Canoe Club will offer warmup space and hot and cold food and beverages. Prizes include podium awards, masters prizes for Over 50 competitors, door prizes, and a $500 gift card for new divisional course records. The current course record is 14 laps (82.4 km); a record claim requires at least 15 laps (88.4 km) plus the fastest 10 km time in the division. The race proceeds in rain, sleet, or snow except in the case of a city-wide shutdown. Merchandise orders have a December 13 deadline. No refunds are offered; transfers are allowed for a fee. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.