NOTE: For various reasons, we needed to re-schedule this year's event to July 11-12!
Brought to you by one of the knuckleheads behind the Fon Solo/Cider Cross weekend in October, this weekend of fun follows the same format with running and bike races on Saturday and a super fun gravel grind on Sunday!
Unlike last year, all events will be located on the Nelson Farm in Albion. This will make logistics easier for all!
On Saturday, we have the cyclocross/mtb races as well as the Last Man Standing style trail run:
Cyclocross/mtb:
One 40-minute race with separate CX and MTB categories if numbers allow
About a 1-mile course that sweeps through the woods and fields around the farm.
Bring any bike — gravel, mountain, cyclocross — whatever rolls!
Prizes TBD
Last-Person-Standing Style Trail Run:
Race format is an easier version of the Backyard Ultra
~1 mile loops on the same course
Time limit decreases by 1 minute per lap
(e.g., Lap 1 = 20 min, Lap 2 = 19 min, etc.)
Rest and refill between laps
Run till you can't make the cutoff!
You can expect 7–8 laps if you're at a 12-min/mile pace
It is highly recommended that fast runners bring lights for the last few laps!
Last year, the fastest runners made it down to the 6-minute mark!
Prizes: the payout between the winners purses and mid-race primes will be approximately 50% of registration fees.
For families thinking of coming to spectate on Saturday, there is an adjacent park that offers several miles of fun hiking/biking trails and there is access to a large pond for adventuring.
For our grand finale, we have put together a killer ride crossing through China, Palermo, Freedom and Albion Maine! This year will see a few route modifications that impact the beginning and end of the course. This will mean a bit less trail riding and a higher percentage of non-pavement on the route. The routes this year will be close to 70% non-pavement with several sections being closed to all the rest of the year, so this will be your only opportunity to ride the full route! The final routes are still tbd but it is looking like we'll have two route options, 28 miles and 48 miles. As a bonus, the route offers distant views of Mt. Washington in a few spots if the weather cooperates. An aid station will be located at approximately 16 miles for both routes.
There is camping available Saturday night at the event venue The camping is in an elevated field with views of the Presidential Range and Mount Washington if the weather allows. Camping is located steps away from the registration table and ride start.
The event will be rain or shine. If weather conditions force us to cancel, registrants will be able to defer to 2027 if requested before July 4, 2026. Otherwise, registration fees will be donated to the Schmid Preserve in Edgecomb.
Brought to you in part by our friends at Six Rivers NEMBA.
The Maine Lobster Festival offers timed 5K and 10K road races! The 5K is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The 10K is open to runners only.
Please join us!
Event details and schedule
Pre-registered runners MUST pick up their race packets on:
Friday, August 1st from 10 am - 1 pm on the Festival grounds.
Online registration ends Thursday, July 31 at 9 pm.
Race Day/In-Person registration increases to $45.
Registration Fee is Non-Refundable.
Both races will start promptly at 8am.
Finisher medals for all participants and awards for top male and female finishers in multiple age group categories for both races!!! Shirts are available for the first 300 participants to pick up their packet. Shirt sizes are not guaranteed.
Thank you to our sponsors: Allen Agency, Samoset Resort, James Heavey Wealth Management, Maine Sport Outfitters, Maine State Credit Union
"A Harbor Fest Tradition"
Scenic, fairly flat course that includes a few gentle hills, shaded neighborhoods, a stretch along the water front, and the Armistice Foot Bridge across the Passagassawaukeag River; one water stop. Everyone is welcome to join from those looking to run a personal best to families wanting to share a healthy run/walk. Top female and male runners receive 10 lbs of live lobsters (“bugs”).
Sponsorship of the Bug Run is provided by the First National Bank, Belfast, Maine.
This event is one of five events in the RunBelfast 2026 race series held in Belfast, Maine (https://www.runbelfast.org/). Events include: Paces for PAWS 5K - Jun 13; Lions Kilted Canter 5K - Jul 18; Rotary Bug Run 5K - August 8; WCHV Hospice Volunteers 5K - Sep 12; and Lions Ghostly Gallop - October 24.
RunBelfast is grateful for the support provided by City of Belfast Parks and Recreation, City of Belfast Police, and City of Belfast Fire and Ambulance
Event details and schedule
When: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 8:00 a.m. start
Where: Parking lot at Union Street and Miller Street, Belfast, Maine
Race-day registration and Packet pick-up: Race day between 07:00-07:45 a.m.
Fee: $25 through August 5; $30 race day; $25 for active duty military; souvenir t-shirts are guaranteed for all runners who register by July 24; after that date, t-shirts are available while supplies last
Awards: Overall female and male receive 10 lbs of live lobsters (“bugs”); then top M & F in each of 9 age groups (pre-teen thru 80+) receive medals
PARKING
The following parking restrictions will be in place, starting at 7 AM on Saturday, August 16th:
Commercial Street will be closed at Union Street, and there will not be parking on Commercial Street throughout the weekend.
The lower Belfast Common parking lot at Front St. and Commercial Street is for event volunteers ONLY.
Belfast Boathouse parking lot will be for vendors and H/C parking only (requires a placard or plate).
Front Street between Federal & Spring Streets and Federal Street at Main Street.
Racers are directed FIRST to city parking lots (Washington Street, Beaver Street) and then single, parallel parking (right side, aka downhill) on Front Street, and other additional city/downtown streets. Runners should not be parking in the neighborhoods if at all possible. They should use the downtown street parking and parking lots.
Are you a running enthusiast looking for new challenges? The Blueberry Cove Half Marathon is definitely the event for you! 😎 This race takes place in the heart of the beautiful Knox County in Saint George, Maine, in the United States. 😉