Irishman wins Blue Nose marathon as Halifax race returns to Victoria Day weekend

Sweat, hard work and maybe a little Irish luck helped propel the 2022 Blue Nose Marathon winner over the finish line.

On Sunday, the 19th Blue Nose Marathon returned to the streets of Halifax for its first regular Victoria Day weekend since the pandemic began. The event was held in November last year.

Running his first Blue Nose, Nathan Ryan O'Hehir won the marathon handily, finishing in a time of two hours, 42 minutes and 47 seconds.

"That was the hardest race I've ever done," Ryan O'Hehir said moments after crossing the finish line. "The hills down in Point Pleasant completely declined my speed. I can't even form a thought properly at the moment."

A web developer from Cork, Ireland, Ryan O'Hehir moved to Halifax in January. The Blue Nose was his first marathon outside his home country.

Throughout the race, Ryan O'Hehir said he was asking the spotters on bikes to check behind him for the next runner, but he crossed the finish line four minutes ahead of runner-up Tim Fitzgerald of Sydney.

Ryan O'Hehir is already making plans for next year.

"First marathon victory," he said. "I'll be back next year to win it again."

More than 200 people registered for the marathon this year, while more than 5,500 participants registered across all six race events on the weekend. 

Hundreds more turned out to cheer, clap noisemakers and offer water along the route through the city on Sunday.

Another new Haligonian claimed the top woman's spot in the marathon: Aisling Wydysh finished 28th overall in 3:34:02.

Wydysh, a Canadian Armed Forces recruiter, said she moved to Halifax from Victoria last fall. This was her first Blue Nose and only third marathon overall.

For most of the race, Wydysh said she had no idea she was one of the leading