The Valley Harvest Marathon, an annual race held every October during Thanksgiving weekend, offers a scenic route through Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. This beautiful course weaves through farmland and rural landscapes, setting the perfect stage for a memorable run.

This year, I decided to take on the half marathon (21 km) to challenge myself and enjoy the race atmosphere. Although I hadn’t followed a strict training regimen—aside from my daily 5 km walks—I focused on building the right mindset to push my limits and immerse myself in a new experience.

To my delight, I completed the race in 2 hours and 8 minutes, feeling accomplished and invigorated. During the run, I connected with a fellow runner named Sherry Flemming and her friend, both passionate about running. As we exchanged stories and reflected on our shared journey, we formed a supportive network. Now, we can invite each other to upcoming races, and I’ll keep them posted on my future mountaineering expeditions—a great addition to my community of like-minded adventurers.