Marmot March

The Halifax Search and Rescue Eco-Endurance Challenge (E2C) 2026 is a premier wilderness navigation and orienteering event held in the rugged terrain of Nova Scotia. Scheduled to begin on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 8:00 AM ADT, the event is hosted by Urban Trail Racing in partnership with Halifax Regional Search and Rescue (HSAR). Based at the Maskwa Aquatics Club in the Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area, the challenge requires teams to use map, compass, or GPS to locate as many checkpoints as possible within a fixed timeframe.

The E2C is a "rogaine" style event where strategy is as important as physical endurance. Teams of two or more choose between 4, 8, or 24-hour windows. This year marks the highly anticipated return of the 24-hour elite category. All participants are prohibited from scouting the area before the race, and maps are only distributed one hour before the starting whistle to ensure a level playing field. Profits from the event directly fund the life-saving equipment and training for Halifax Search and Rescue.

The Blue Mountain Birch Cove Lakes Wilderness Area is a unique "near-urban" wilderness located within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). Despite its proximity to a major bus route, the area contains roughly 1,700 hectares of remote forests, wetlands, and granite barrens. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the Halifax Regional Municipality has a population of 439,819 residents. The demographic composition of the HRM is approximately 81.3% White/European descent, while 16.4% identify as visible minorities (including Black at 3.8%, South Asian at 4.6%, and Chinese at 2.4%). Additionally, 4.1% of the population identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

The culture in Halifax is deeply tied to the outdoors and the Atlantic Ocean. This is reflected in the heavy reliance on Search and Rescue organizations; HSAR is one of the busiest volunteer SAR teams in Canada. The local population prides itself on "Atlantic hospitality" and community resilience—traits that are essential during the E2C, where participants often face unpredictable Nova Scotian weather. The demographic of outdoor enthusiasts in Nova Scotia is highly active, with a strong emphasis on preserving "Wild Lakes" and protecting the ecological integrity of urban-adjacent wilderness areas.

The E2C is as much a test of survival as it is a race. Each team is required to pass an equipment check on race morning, ensuring they carry two whistles, sufficient water, and at least two forms of navigation. For the 8 and 24-hour participants, high-powered headlamps are mandatory, as much of the strategy involves navigating dense bush in total darkness. On-site medical support is handled by HSAR’s own medical teams, providing a safety net for participants as they navigate the rocky "barrens" and thick brush.

This year’s event is coupled with the Wild Lakes 10K on Sunday morning, creating a massive weekend of trail activity in the Birch Cove Lakes area. As a charity event, the E2C serves a dual purpose: testing the navigation skills of the public and providing essential funding for the search, rescue, and recovery operations that keep Nova Scotians safe throughout the year. Whether you are an active SAR member or a family looking to learn orienteering, the 2026 E2C offers a "magical" and demanding experience in one of Canada's most unique wilderness settings.