VANCOUVER IS THE KIND OF PLACE that you go to
for a holiday but soon find yourself wondering if anyone
would notice if you never left. It’s easy to see why. Framed
by snow-capped mountains, British Columbia’s biggest city is
incredibly pretty and a paradise for lovers of the outdoors.
Want to go skiing? Head up to Whistler, the venue for the 2010
Winter Olympics. An afternoon’s paddleboarding, perhaps? You’re
right on the Pacific. Take a hike? The spectacular Grouse Grind
(a whisker under 3km) will take your breath away in every sense.
Add to this the fact that British Columbia is fast becoming the
craft beer capital of the world, and it’s little wonder ‘Van’ regularly
ranks in the upper echelons of those ‘World’s Best Cities’ lists.
Since 1972, it’s also been home to the Vancouver Marathon, a race
that’s grown steadily in both popularity and reputation. This year,
some 17,000 participants from more than 60 countries will take part
in either the marathon, half marathon, 8km or relay event.
Keen to balance my love of running with my eagerness to explore
the craft beer scene, I opt for the half marathon rather than theCOME FOR THE
R ACE, STAY FOR
EVERYTHING ELSE
Rick Pearson heads to the Vancouver
Marathon and discovers a race –
and a city – that’s hard to beat
VANCOUVER, CANADA092 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK MAY 2019
LET YOUR RUNNING LOOSE
RACE