The County Marathon, also known as the Prince Edward County Marathon, is a scenic countryside road race held in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. Based around the towns and villages of “The County,” including Wellington, Bloomfield, West Lake, and Picton, the event offers a full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and 5K fun run. It is one of Ontario’s most distinctive small-community marathon weekends, combining rural roads, lake views, wineries, farmland, fall colours, and a strong local volunteer culture.
The race markets itself as Canada’s largest small-county marathon and has a strong destination-race appeal. The marathon starts in Wellington at the Lehigh Centre, travels through Prince Edward County roads and communities, and finishes in Picton at the Prince Edward Community Centre. The half marathon starts near West Lake, close to the Sandbanks area, and also finishes in Picton. Both the marathon and half marathon are Athletics Canada Certified Courses, making the marathon a Boston Qualifier and suitable for runners chasing accurate certified times.
The event’s identity is built around countryside hospitality. Runners are supported by local volunteers, community groups, shuttle buses to start lines, race-morning coffee and water, small-town cheering, and a finish-line atmosphere in Picton. The route offers a mix of flat and gently rolling rural terrain, with scenic lakeside sections, open fields, vineyards, and autumn colour across Prince Edward County.
