Halifax's Nickerson places first in Blue Nose Marathon

Halifax's Donavon Nickerson placed first in a field of more than 300 runners on Sunday to win the 2024 Blue Nose Marathon.

Nickerson ran the 42.2-kilometre distance through Halifax and Dartmouth in a time of two hours, 50 minutes and 40 seconds.

Matthias Mueller of Lower Sackville placed second in 2:52:57, more than two minutes behind the race winner. Mueller was also second last year.

Joe Starr of Dartmouth was third in 2:53:08. Starr held a nine-second lead on Nickerson at the halfway mark.

The top-three finishers were the only runners to crack the three-hour mark in the event.

Halifax's Janet Hawkins won the women's division in 3:25:41. Dartmouth's Jackie Kellestine (3:29:41) and Timberlea's Rachael Drummond (3:31:57) placed second and third among the women.

There were 325 runners entered in the race.

Halifax's Ryan MacDonell won the half-marathon in 1:12:11. Halifax's Sarah Organ was the women's champion in 1:27:34.

Race organizers said in a release Sunday that more than 8,800 people participated in weekend events. A charity challenge raised more than $210,000, according to the release.

"Our success and growth are a testament to the dedication and support of our participants, fundraisers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and the entire community," Blue Nose Marathon executive director Sherri Robbins said in the release. "We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved together."