THE LOWDOWN
STAY VancouverHotels.com offers special offers to race participants. When you book two or more nights using the
MARATHON promo code, you’ll receive a (CA)$75 VanPass voucher. bmovanmarathon.ca/hotels
GET THERE Direct flights from London to Vancouver are available from £550rtn.
EXPLORE The VanPass voucher gets you money off attractions such as the Capilano Suspension Bridge and Sea
to Sky Gondola. Other activities worth considering are a hike up Grouse Grind, a walk around Stanley Park, a
flight on a seaplane and a couple of beers on Granville Island. bmovanmarathon.ca/destinationbcFinishing stats
● Sub-3:00: 1%
● 3:00-3:59: 27%
● 4:00-4:59: 44%
● 5:00+ 28%THE RUNDOWN
VMO Vancouver
Marathon, Canada
(2018 stats)
First man: Robin
Watson, 2:27:38
First woman: Zhiling
Zheng, 2:43:50
Last finisher: 7:09:04
No. of starters and
finishers 3,897 and
3,757 (96% finished)full marathon, though the 26.2 route
is, apparently, even more scenic.
Picking up my number at the Expo
the day before the race, I’m excited
to find, alongside the usual apparel
and nutrition pop-ups, an axe-
throwing stall. I resist the urge
to channel my inner Viking-era
circus performer, reasoning that my
preparation has been unorthodox
enough without the added drama
of a flesh wound.
Besides, I have an early start: the
half marathon begins at 7am. Not
enough hours later, I rise, bleary-
eyed, grab a banana and a coffee and
take the SkyTrain to King Edward
stop, a short walk from the race start
at Queen Elizabeth Park.
The atmosphere in the start pens is
one of classic Canadian conviviality.
Runners wish each other good luck;
someone’s even interested in
the time I’m looking
to run (answer:
hopefully, sub-1:30,
but who knows?).
The race gets off to
the easiest of starts,
with a long downhill
section following
Cambie Street in
the direction of the
1,000-acre StanleyPark. Other route pluses include the
wide, closed roads that keep any
congestion to a minimum, and the
generous scattering of support,
despite the early hour.
Crossing Cambie Street bridge,
the route skirts English Bay before
heading into the verdant loveliness of
the park, which is almost completely
surrounded by water. It’s running
heaven here: winding paths, tree
cover and the occasional panoramic
view of the city.
The weather is perfect, too: sunny
but not too hot, with only the faintest
hint of a breeze. Ideal conditions, in
fact, for a PB. Your correspondent,
however, is running slightly shy of
maximum capacity, citing mitigating
circumstances such as ‘craft beer’
and ‘Maple syrup’.
Still, my slightly conservative start
has allowed me to spend the secondhalf of the race overtaking a stream
of runners struggling on a couple of
the park’s uphills. By the time I turn
left onto W Pender St, and the finish
line comes into view, the support has
swelled in size and volume, creating
a carnival atmosphere.
This bonhomie continues at the
race village, which is well stocked
with food and drink stands. With my
medal around my neck, I return to
the finishing straight to watch the
finishers from the marathon, 8km and
relay events while I rehydrate
on, yes, another craft beer (they
really are delicious).
Whether you come to race hard or
simply get round, it’s hard to think of
a better location for a running holiday
than Vancouver. Just be warned: you
may find it hard to leave.
The next BMO Vancouver Marathon takes
place on May 5. bmovanmarathonMAY 2019 RUNNERSWORLD.COM/UK 093PH
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The
Vancouver
Marathon. Honestly,
there’s so much to see
and do here, it’s a
wonder anyone
finishes. Or startsVANCOUVER MARATHON RACE