Name: HHH Spring Rust Buster 2026
Start: 2026-04-04T08:00:00-03:00
Location: Oakfield Provincial Park, Oakfield Park Road, Oakfield, NS, Canada

Halifax Harness Hounds invites you to join us at the annual Spring Rust Buster canicross race and sprint our way through the beautiful Oakfield park!

Where: Oakfield Provincial Park

When: Saturday, April 4th, 2025

The following Regional Circuit race classes are being offered:
1 Dog Canicross Standard (3KM)
1 Dog Canicross Sprint (1KM)

3km Race route:

This route is varied cross country trail. You'll cover single track, dirt road and wooded trail in a loop with lots of room for safe passing without meeting any teams head on. The trail is very obvious, though the race course will be well marked.

1km Race Route:

This route utilizes trails through wooded trails. With mixed terrain including crusher dust, part dirt road and wooded wilderness trail.

Notice to Participants: Click here

Registration:
*In advance only
*NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION*
**Deadline to register is Wednesday, April 1st at 11:59pm.

***No Refunds will be issued past the deadline. If the race is post-poned due to unforeseen circumstances (ex. weather, poor trail conditions), your fees will be applied to the next HHH event using an individualized promocode.

Schedule (subject to change)

8:00am: Participant check-in/handing-over of bibs/ equipment checks

9:00am: 3km Canicross Start

10:00am: 1km Canicross Start

All participants are to be on site by 8:30am for registration and equipment checks.

Required Equipment:

Dogs: All dogs MUST be in a harness designed for running and pulling. Dogs must be 12 months of age for events 5km or longer. Dogs must be 10 months of age to compete in events up to a distance of 2km.

Canicross: A canicross belt & bungee line is strongly recommended though any hands-free running leash will be acceptable. The distance from the competitor's abdomen to the base of the tail of the dog must be at most 2 meters, when tight without elongation. However, the recommended distance is 1.70 meters. As this race is a MAHDS sanctioned event, this competition will utilize the MAHDS race rules.

Rules:

Because harness dog sports involve more than human athletes, our rules for participants incorporate more than the expected rules to ensure fair competition. These rules also address factors that can impact the health and safety of our canine and human teammates - things like the age of the dog for competition, sport-specific gear requirements for humans and dogs, trail rules (such as passing), and good sportsmanship.

All participants must review and adhere to the following documents prior to race day:

MAHDS Rules for Participants
MAHDS Code of Conduct

Both of these documents can be found on the MAHDS website HERE

Registration fees

Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees

1-Dog Standard Canicross 3k Closed

Suitable for dogs 12 months and over / Convient aux chiens de 12 mois et plus

CA$34.66

Mar 4 - Apr 1

1-Dog Sprint Canicross 1k Closed

Suitable for dogs 10 months and above / Convient aux chiens de 10 mois et plus

CA$23.86

Mar 4 - Apr 1

1-Dog Cani-Kids Canicross 1k Closed

Suitable for dogs 10 months and above and children 5-12 years of age. All cani-kids participants must be accompanied by an adult attached to the dog for the duration of the race.

Mar 4 - Apr 1

Standard Canicross 3k

3km Route Description:

This route is varied cross country trail. You'll cover dirt road and wooded trail in a loop with lots of room for safe passing without meeting any teams head on. The trail is very obvious, though the race course will be well marked.

Sprint Canicross 1k

1km Route Description:

This route utilizes trails through wooded trails. Primarily crusher dust this trail is also in part dirt road and wooded wilderness trail.

Event schedule

Sat, April 4, 2026 8:00 AM - Registration
Sat, April 4, 2026 9:00 AM - 3K Canicross
Sat, April 4, 2026 10:00 AM - 1K Canicross
Sat, April 4, 2026 10:15 AM - Cani-Kids 1K Race
Sat, April 4, 2026 11:00 AM - Awards

Contact information

Event contact: Chantal Veinotte