Vancouver Marathon in British Columbia, is known as Canada’s second largest international marathon race. It is a certified race by the International Association of Athletics Federation and is staged annually in May on the first Sunday.
The event is hosted by the VIMS (Vancouver International Marathon Society), a volunteer organization that employs a professional event management company to coordinate and execute all marathon events.
The major sponsor for the race is the Bank of Montreal, so the race is official known as the BMO Vancouver Marathon.
Race History
The race boasts an impressive history dating back to the inaugural running in 1972.
The original running saw but 46 participants compete by running five loops through the city’s Stanley Park.
A local runner, Tom Howard, from nearby Surrey, won the very first British Columbia Marathon with a time of 2:24:08. Howard also won the race the next two years.
The race name was known as the Lions Gate Road Runners International Marathon from 1973-78.
The year 1977 was a breakthrough year for the race when 300 runners participated.
Another interesting fact accompanied the 1977 race in that two first-time runners placed first and second. Chris Boltar, Vancouver, won the race with a time of 2:22:36 and was followed by Mike Creery of Victoria, BC, turning in a time of 2:24:15.
Tragedy marred the 1976 running when Dr. Leslie Truelove suffered an aneurysm, collapsing on the course and dying. Subsequently, the Dr. Leslie Truelove Memorial Trophy was established an awarded to each year’s make finisher beyond the age of 50.
Since the year 2000, many international running stars have been attracted to the Vancouver International Marathon annually. Thomas Omwenga of Kenya won his third Vancouver Marathon with a time of 2:16:55. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the race and will be staged May 1, 2011.
Race Course
The Vancouver Marathon course offers a completely paved road surface run that is extremely spectator-friendly. The course begins at Pacific Boulevard just east of the Rogers Arena. Runners head both out and back through the harbor area of False Creek, then through Strathcona.
Then the course enters the majestically forested area of Stanley Park, the original site of the full course in the early race years. Runners exit the park near English Bay. Burrard Street Bridge is now crossed where spectators wait along the café-lined streets leading to runs along the city beaches and through the upscale and beautiful homes in Kitsilano.
The runners then head to the finish at Concord Place at Pacific Boulevard just south of the Rogers Arena. Runners meet several sloping hills along the course route including the 100-foot Burrard Bridge elevation twice adding a bit of extra challenge to the course layout.
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How to Register
Would-be participants can easily register online meeting the deadline of midnight on April 27, 2011. Registrants born in 1940 or earlier can register free.
Once registration and payment is complete, qualified participants will be reimbursed when presenting proof of birth at race package pick-up. There is no race-day registration and all fees are non-refundable, transferrable or deferrable.
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