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FIVE ISLANDS, N.S. - A rush of water 17 metres deep bolstered by 115 billion tonnes of salt water could not dampen the thrill for more than 250 people running across the floor of Nova Scotia's famed Bay of Fundy.

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The Canadian Press

RUNNING ACROSS THE OCEAN FLOOR: Runners head off during the Not Since Moses 10k run/5k walk near Five Islands, N.S., recently. A rush of water 17-metres deep bolstered by 115-billion tonnes of saltwater could not dampen the thrill for more than 250 people who recently ran across the floor of Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy.

At low tide, the Five Islands, located off the mainland in the Minas Basin, become small mountains, jutting from the seabed and surrounded by a vast, muddy emptiness. This is the stomping ground for "Not Since Moses," a 10-kilometre endurance run that pushes participants to their limits.

The terrain switches from rough gravel to mud to pools of sneaker-sucking salt water. And all the while, at any moment, the tide will turn and the course charted for them will sit beneath the waves of the world's highest tides.

"This is a lot more difficult," said seasoned runner Keith Meagher of Springhill, N.S., who took part in the July 6 run. "If I ran a normal 10K it would take me 45 minutes, but the terrain is different. It switches between muck and sand. Physically it feels like half a marathon."

Those familiar with running the normal 42.2 kilometres of a marathon took to the Not Since Moses 10K, while those who grew up in the area took advantage of the five-kilometre walk that follows the runners. But they were not alone.

Participants from England, Germany, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Kentucky and Normal, Ill., made their way to the beautiful shoreline of Five Islands to participate in the second annual run hosted by California lawyer and athlete Dick Lemon.

Lemon, who purchased one of the Five Islands to build an eco-friendly retreat, came up with the idea to create what is considered by some to be one of the most extreme 10-kilometre runs in the world as he was running from his retreat back to the shoreline.

After two years the event is becoming very popular, Lemon says.

"I've had one runner who has been in over 200 marathons tell me if he had to pick just one run for the year this would be it. How neat is that?"