Run the wild edge of Cape Breton.
Run atop the spectacular Mabou Highlands and along the waters of the Atlantic on trails that will both inspire and challenge you. Beaches, streams, and spectacular vistas. The village of Mabou and the Capes 100 crew welcome all of yas to this magical place.
Three ways up the Capes
All events start at the new start/finish venue, 220 Angus Archie Road, Mabou, NS, at 6:00 AM on Saturday, August 8.
46K 
86K 
162K Know the route
Distances are +/– 2km, so don't get flustered if your watch doesn't match. Aid-station locations and course revisions may happen up until race day. Stashing gear on the course is prohibited.
Good to know
- No crew access for the 46k.
- No pacers.
- Drop out? Pickup by your crew only at the Mabou Trailhead aid station (KM 11 / 35). Make your way there to be transported back.
Good to know
- 2 crew-access points: KM 35 (Broad Cove Banks) and KM 76 (start/finish).
- No pacers.
- Drop out? Pickup only at Mabou Trailhead (KM 11 & 65) and Broad Cove Banks (KM 35).
Good to know
- 1 pacer per runner! May only start at KM 112 (Cape Mabou Trailhead / Cow Pasture).
- Crew access anywhere other than designated points is prohibited and results in a DQ.
- Drop out? Pickup at Mabou Trailhead (KM 11/65/97/151), Cape Mabou (KM 112) and Broad Cove Banks (KM 35/121).
Gear & rules
It is mandatory that all runners, in every event, carry the following at all times. You'll be checked on course — a DQ results if you're missing any mandatory item.
Mandatory
Required at all times- Bottles / flasks / reservoir holding up to 1L
- Waterproof jacket (seam-sealed / taped / welded)
- Basic first-aid kit (2m tape, tensor bandage, band-aids, emergency blanket)
- Charged cell phone with the RD's number
- Whistle
- Toque or buff
- Course map (phone or printed)
- Lighter / matches
- Knife (pocket-knife style)
Recommended
Highly suggested- Garmin InReach or similar
- Headlamp + extra batteries
- Warm upper-body layer & rain pants
- Benadryl (hornets' nests happen!)
- Calories, sunscreen, bug repellent
- Compass, trekking poles, water filter
- Glitter — it gives you super powers!
Prohibited
Not allowed- Earbuds / bone-conduction headphones
- Music or podcasts on speakerphone
- Dogs or other pets on course
- Stashing gear on the course
- Pacers (except 162k — see below)
Pacers: only 162k runners get a pacer, and they may only join at KM 112 (Cape Mabou Trailhead / Cow Pasture). "Muling" is prohibited — your pacer can't carry gear for you, and you can't borrow gear from them.
Fuel & crewing
What's on the table
Liquids: water, Coke, ginger ale and Tailwind (orange).
Solids: candy, chips, bananas, cookies, pickles & watermelon plus the odd oddball item.
9 PM–6 AM: warm food through the night — broth & grilled cheese.
The schedule
All at the start/finish venue: 220 Angus Archie Road, Mabou.
- 12–7 PM Check-in & swag pick-up
- 6–7 PM Live music
- 7 PM Mandatory pre-race meeting
- 7 PM Drop-bag deadline (≤30L / 10kg, waterproof)
- 6 AM All events start
- 2 PM 46k awards
- 9 PM 86k drop bags arrive at start/finish
- 12 PM 86k & 162k awards
- 12 PM 162k drop bags arrive
- 6 PM 162k course closes
Refunds, transfers & deferrals
Refund policy
If you were on the 2025 start list and deferred to 2026, you're eligible for a 50% refund up to June 10, 2026.
For everyone else who registered but can't attend: contact us by January 1, 2026 for a 75% refund, or between January 2 and June 10, 2026 for a 50% refund.
No refunds after June 10, 2026.
If the event is cancelled
In the event of cancellation (weather, forest fires, acts of nature, war, strikes or other circumstances), we'll provide three options:
- Automatic deferral to the following year
- A partial refund of your entry fee, calculated by NSTR to account for incurred event expenses
- You can sell your spot
Volunteer deferral & transfers
Registered but can't run due to injury / illness / training / life? Volunteer for 8 hours on race weekend 2026 and we'll defer your entry to the following year.
Since the 2025 Capes 100 was cancelled, registrants may sell their 2026 spot up to August 15, 2025. Transfers / selling your spot are not allowed after August 15, 2025 — after that, the normal refund & no-transfer policy applies.
Distance changes & swag
Dropping down from the 162k or 86k to a shorter distance: you won't get the fee difference back, sorry.
Bumping up from the 46k to a longer distance: doable up to August 6, 2026 — just e-transfer the difference.
Swag & prizing is only for runners on the start list and volunteers. We won't mail or deliver swag or drop bags; leftovers go to volunteers and community members. Easy peasy 🙂
See you at the capes
46k, 86k or the full 162k.
Register on RaceRoster
