The working seaport of Saint John is tucked along the Bay of Fundy in southern New Brunswick. This traditional land of the Passamaquody, Mi’kmaq, and Maliseet peoples became a point of trade and defense during the Acadian era, then industrialized as a ship building center under the control of British Loyalists surrounding the American Revolution. In 1785, it was the first incorporated city in what would later be Canada. Today, this hilly port city supports cruise ship tourism, heavy industry, and interestingly enough, the highest tides in the world. Running in Saint John is marked by waterfront pathways, massive parks, and a scenic handful of historic city streets.
The most popular running route in Saint John is the Harbour Passage Trail along the waterfront, although the large green spaces of Rockwood Park, Irving Nature Park, and Little River Reservoir Park also offer great off-street running options. Distance runners can draw inspiration from our “Saint John Grand Tour,” which collects some of the best roads for running across the city. We’ve also included routes in the nearby vacation destination of Saint Andrews, famous for its tide viewing!
The core of Saint John is pedestrian-friendly, and the Saint John Transit offers bus service across the main parts of the city. Further afield, a car is needed. NOTE: Saint John winters are cold and snowy — be prepared for winter running! And in summer, it can be cool and foggy.
