Before the Event
Where can I find a BMO Vancouver Marathon Course Map?
A course map for the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon will be available online before race day. To view the course map CLICK HERE. As well, you can also print off a turn by turn course description by CLICKING HERE. Printed copies of the course map will be available at the BMO Vancouver Marathon Expo.
Can I run with an iPod/headphones?
The race director prohibits the use of these devices for the runners safety and the safety of those around them. There is no risk of disqualification for simple use, however, if a runner puts themselves or other runners at risk through an unsafe act that the board of directors determine was caused directly or indirectly through the use of a prohibited item, the race directors reserve the right to disqualify the runner.
When should I arrive?
All runners wanting to gear check should be at the start of the race at least 45 minutes prior to their race beginning. If you are not checking bags then show up in your corral at least 30 minutes prior to your race beginning.
Are there Pace Bunnies?
Yes. Pace Bunnies (Pacers) will be located in the appropriate corrals at the start of the race and will be running 10 minutes and walking 1 minute (10′s and 1′s) on both races. Each Pace Bunny will run even splits (every km will be run in the same amount of time); by following your Pace Bunny, you should be able to cross the line with a better finish time.
- Half-Marathon Pace Times: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:15, 2:30, 2:30.
- Marathon Pace Times: 3:30, 3:30, 3:35, 3:40, 3:45, 3:45, 3:50, 4:00, 4:00, 4:15, 4:15, 4:30, 4:40, 4:45, 5:00
May I pick up someone else’s race package?
Yes. If you’re picking up someone else’s race package, you will need photo ID, their name and their confirmation code. Be prepared, if you are picking up a friend’s bib package you will sign a legal release from the Vancouver International Marathon Society with information from your Photo ID and kept as a record indicating you are responsible for that individual’s race package (bib, chip, shirt, etc) releasing the Society, the event, & volunteers from any responsibility to that race package. Teams: If you are a team captain you may pick up your entire teams packages, with a complete list of team members names and corresponding confirmation codes, as well as your own photo ID. The same legal release and rules apply.
Can I pick up my race number, t-shirt and timing chip on the day of the race?
There is no race day Participant Packet and Bag Pick-Up. All participants must pick up their bib numbers, participant bags, t-shirts and timing devices prior to race day.
Can my family and friends come with me to the start line?
The start line is for registered runners only, however, there are designated spectator hotspots along the two courses . See our Cheer page for more details.
Do you have hotel recommendations?
Experience the excitement of Marathon Weekend by staying downtown. Enjoy a night or two in one of 35 downtown hotels who are ready to make your race weekend special. Check out the map here and select a building to find a hotel location that works for you. From five to three star hotels, there is a package just right for you. Once you select your hotel, contact the hotel directly and book your desired package. Many of the hotels have created special packages and rates for BMO Vancouver Marathon runners. Make sure to tell them you are running the BMO Vancouver Marathon!
Is there parking at the start?
No, the course was designed around Public Transit and TransLink is offering race-day transit service on its rapid transit systems! We will be providing a Transit Ticket at the Expo (Booth #509) to use on the Canada Line on Race Day. So take advantage of this! Take the Canada Line to King Edward Station or Oakridge-41st Ave where you will be guided by our friendly volunteers to the Start line at Queen Elizabeth Park.
If you wish to be dropped off near the Start Line, we recommend Main Street, near 30th avenue. Please make sure you give yourself lots of time (at least ten minutes) to walk to the Start Line. Expect delays and wait times. There will be 15,000 runners arriving to Queen Elizabeth Park that morning, please arrive early and enjoy!
What will I receive for participating in the race?
All participants will receive a commemorative medal and a participant shirt.
Are official souvenirs available?
Yes! The BMO Vancouver Marathon official souvenir merchandise will be provided by Saucony. Come by the Expo for a range of official souvenir merchandise for sale.
Is there an Official Photographer?
As in previous years, and like many of the major marathons in N. America, Marathon Foto will be taking photos during the event as well as immediately after. If you want to arrange for your photo, be sure to stop by their booth at the Expo on May 2-4, or order online following the event.
What time do roads begin closing before the start of the race?
Road closures begin at 12:01am on race day at the Start & Finish Areas (* subject to change). Half-Marathon and Marathon route closures of Cambie will begin at 5:00am (*subject to change). The routes will have a rolling closure and rolling re-opening of the roads. “Rolling” refers to the streets being closed down & re-opened to vehicle traffic before and after expected times participants will be travelling through the city. This allows the event to minimize impact on local residents, traffic, and public services like transit. For example, Cambie will be shut down earlier for the marathon start area, but Point Grey Road in Kitsilano will not be closed until later in the morning as participants aren’t expected through for several hours.
Where can I park?
The Vancouver International Marathon Society strongly encourages participants to use transit or carpool whenever possible. It’s FREE and you will avoid alot of traffic congestion (as well as not be the cause of it). However, there are more than a dozen parking facilities around the finish area and Expo at Canada Place and the downtown core. All of these parking areas will be open and accessible from multiple access points (Hastings, Pender, Water St, Burrard St) all day throughout the duration of the event. Additionally, parking is available around the start line within the park (access from 37th ave via Main St) or at several points along the Canada Line (Oakridge Mall, King Edward). Parking will not be allowed in the residential neighborhoods adjacent to the park and start area, nor on Cambie. All volunteers and participants must obey all City traffic postings and Bylaws.
Can I walk the events?
Yes, for the half and full marathon events, walkers and runners start at the same time. No participants will be allowed to start early as the course & aid stations will NOT be open. Any participant attempting to start early will not receive a finisher’s medal. In addition, the timing company will register your time as DNF (Did Not Finish).
All participants in the Half-Marathon start at 7am and in the Marathon at 8am. Prior to the start, any participant registered with an anticipated finish time for 3+/6+ hour completion will be in the final corral at the start of the event, behind the faster participants. This is done to ensure 3+/6+ hour half and full marathon finishers have a positive experience, and a safer race with less interruption of passing runners.
- The half marathon course is open from 7am – 11am (4hrs)
- The marathon course is open from 8am – 4pm (8hrs)
As a walker, watch for runners coming up behind you. Please keep to the far right of the road and do not walk abreast. This will ensure that both walkers and runners can obtain their desired finish times. There is a strict 4:00pm course closure time (8-hour marathon).
Rolling Road Closures/Opening
With both a marathon (42 km) and a half marathon (21 km) covering the city on Sunday, May 5th, the races will follow a rolling closure/open protocol. This means that the roads will NOT be closed for the entire duration of the races. Some will open and close earlier than others. In order to fulfill our agreement with the City of Vancouver and our community neighbourhoods, runners will be required to maintain a minimum pace to ensure roads are reopened as promised by a certain time.
Please review these pace times/locations as below. If you are falling behind these minimum paces, you will be provided with three warnings after which time you will be asked to leave the race. A sweep vehicle will pick you up and remove your bib. We understand that this may be disappointing, however, we have been given permission to use our roads only under these conditions. Thank you for your understanding.
Do you have a Training Program?
We work closely with the Running Room. If you are interested in attending a clinic please Click Here.
What are Corrals?
Corrals are designated start areas designed to provide a smooth and fast start for our marathon and half-marathon events. This will ensure that the event is spaced safely ensuring no line-ups at aid stations throughout the course. Corrals are assigned by estimated finish times provided at registration.
What is NOT allowed on the course?
The use of strollers, bicycles, inline skates, pets and elite pacing are strictly prohibited. The right to disqualify runners who fail to comply with these regulations is at the sole and exclusive decision of the board of directors of the Vancouver International Marathon Society (VIMS).
When and where can I pick-up my race package?
There will be no race package pickup on race day.
Package pickup is located at the Health, Sports and Lifestyle at Canada Place. Pick up your package anytime during expo hours prior to race day.
Expo Hours/Package Pickup Hours:
- Thursday: May 2, 2013 4:00pm – 8:00pm
- Friday: May 3, 2013 11:00am – 8:00pm
- Saturday: May 4, 2013 10:00am – 5:00pm
May I pick up someone else’s race package?
Yes. If you’re picking up someone else’s race package, you will need photo ID, their name and their confirmation code. Be prepared, if you are picking up a friend’s bib package you will sign a legal release from the Vancouver International Marathon Society with information from your Photo ID and kept as a record indicating you are responsible for that individual’s race package (bib, chip, shirt, etc.) releasing the Society, the event, & volunteers from any responsibility to that race package. Teams: if you are a team captain you may pick-up your entire team’s packages, with a complete list of team members names and corresponding confirmation codes, as well as your own photo ID. The same legal release and rules apply.
What do I need to bring to Package Pickup?
Please bring your registration confirmation (including Bib Number) and picture ID.
Who receives medals?
All Marathon Half-Marathon and 8 Km participants who finish the race will receive a medal.
How do I know which Corral I have been assigned to?
Your bib number will direct you to the right corral. Bibs will be picked up at the Package Pickup area at the Health, Sports and Lifestyle Expo.
Marathon
- Corral 1 / Bib # 1-1999 / Orange Corral
- Corral 2 / Bib # 2000-3999 / Black Corral
- Corral 3 / Bib # 4000-5999 / Red Corral
- Corral 4 / Bib # 6000-7999 / Grey Corral
- Corral 5 / Bib #8000-9999 / Brown Corral
Half-Marathon
- Corral 1 / Bib # 10000-12999 / Yellow Corral
- Corral 2 / Bib # 13000-15999/ Blue Corral
- Corral 3 / Bib # 16000-18999 / Pink Corral
- Corral 4 / Bib # 19000-21999 / Green Corral
- Corral 5 / Bib # 22000-25000 / Purple Corral
I want to be in the same Corral as my friend, what are my options?
If you are at a different running level than your friend, then your estimated finish time will be different than your friend’s estimated finish time. In order to respect the other 14,998 runners in the race (so that everyone is not held-up at the Aid Stations, etc), it is essential that you start the race in the corral number that you have been assigned to, even if it means you cannot start the race with your friend.
On race day, I will be taking the Canada Line to the Start Line, how far is the walk to the start?
Half Marathon Participants:
From King Edward Station on Canada Line: It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk to the Runners Compound. Please be mindful of the residents and take the recommended route to the Runners Compound:
- Go South on Cambie St
- Turn left on 29th Ave,
- Turn left on Dinmont Ave,
- Turn right on Peverill Ave.
- Turn right on Ontario.
There will be volunteers and signage to direct you on race morning.
From Oakridge-41st Station on Canada Line: It takes approximately 12-13 minutes to walk to the Runners Compound. Please be mindful of the residents and take the recommended route to the Runners Compound:
- Go North on Cambie St
- Turn right on 37th Ave,
- Turn left on Ontario,
There will be volunteers and signage to direct you on race morning.
Marathon Participants:
From Oakridge-41st Station on Canada Line: It takes approximately 12-13 minutes to walk to the Runners Compound. Please be mindful of the residents and take the recommended route to the Runners Compound:
- Go North on Cambie St
- Turn right on 37th Ave,
- Turn left on Ontario,
There will be volunteers and signage to direct you on race morning.
What should I do with my warm clothes at the start of the race?
Tip: wear an old long-sleeved shirt or hoodie that you don’t care about that will keep you warm before the start of the race. You can discard it at the start line and we will donate it to a local non-profit. That way you won’t need to deal with picking it up at the end of the day. However, if you prefer, we will have Gear Check at the start of the race that can be retrieved at the end of your race.
How can I find out my bib number?
The bib number search is active since April 25, 2013. You can search by clicking here
http://www.sportstats.ca/confirmCompactBib.xhtml?racecode=104227
You will need your First Name and Last Name.
If you are looking for a Kid Bib Search, here is the link
http://www.sportstats.ca/confirmCompactBib.xhtml?racecode=104245
Can I pick my race package on race Day ?
There will be no race package pickup on race day.
What is the transit schedule for Canada Line on Race Day ?
Canada line Southbound starts at 4:48am from Waterfront station. Canada line Northbound starts at 5:02am from YVR and 5:07am from Richmond-Brighouse.
More info on http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/SkyTrain.aspx
I have registered to run the marathon and would like to switch to the half marathon, is it possible ?
While there is space available, you may switch your Marathon entry to a Half Marathon entry. However, the difference will not be refunded. Switching online will be turned off mid April 2013. A $10 administration fee will be applied to all changes.
I have registered to run the half marathon and would like to switch to run the marathon, is it possible?
While there is space available, you may switch from the Half Marathon to the Marathon but you will be charged the difference. Switching online will be turned off mid April 2013
A $10 administration fee will also be applied to all changes.
How do I change my estimated finish time?
Please send an email with your full name and confirmation number along with your existing and new estimated finish time to: registration@vanmarathon.ca
Review your time and update it no later than by April 21, 2013. After this date, if you wish to change your estimated finish time, there will be no guarantee it can be done. You will need to come to the Solution Desk on Thursday, Friday or Saturday before Race Day.
How do I know my estimated finish time?
Based on your training, you should know your Estimated Finish Line. If it is your first event or are uncertain, you can use a free calculator here:
When and where will there be road closures?
The Vancouver Marathon would like to advise residents and business owners of temporary road closures and traffic control measures to accommodate the event on Sunday May 5, 2013. Expected hours of peak traffic impact are as follows.
Traffic control personnel will also be stationed at major intersections and access points along the race route to safely manage and redirect traffic. Motorists are asked to avoid travel during the impacted hours and consider alternative times for local trips. Motorist that need to travel during these times are advised to plan ahead for potential delays and stoppages on the affected route.
Downtown / West End
| May 4th 4pm to 6pm May 5th | FINISH AREA – Thurlow St. from W. Pender St. to W. Cordova St. – CLOSED |
| May 4th4pm to 6pm May 5th | FINISH AREA – W. Hastings St. from Bute St. to Burrard St. – CLOSED |
| May 4th4pm to 6pm May 5th | FINISH AREA – W. Pender St. from Georgia St. to Burrard St. – CLOSED |
| 7:45am-2:15pm | Denman St. from Georgia St. to Seawall – CLOSED / LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY – Bayshore Dr. at Cardero St. |
| 6:45am-8:45am | Dunsmuir Viaduct – CLOSED |
| 7:15am-9:45am | Beach Ave. from Stanley Park to Denman St. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-12:45pm | Beach Ave. from Denman St. to Jervis St. – ONE E/BOUND LANE CLOSED, W/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 9:15am-12:45pm | Pacific St. from Burrard St. to Jervis St. – ONE E/BOUND LANE CLOSED, W/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 7:00am-9:15:am | Beach Ave. from Jervis St. to Granville St. – E/BOUND LANES CLOSED, LOCAL TRAFFIC USE ONLY BEACH AT HOWE ST. |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Granville St. from Beach Ave. to Pacific Blvd.– CLOSEDLOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY USE BEACH AT HOWE ST. |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Pacific St. from Richards St. to Seymour St. -E/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Pacific Blvd. from Seymour St. to Cambie St. -W/BOUND LANES CLOSED – E/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 7:00am-9:00am | Homer St. from Pender St. to Robson St. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Robson St. from Homer St. to Hamilton St. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Hamilton St. from Robson St. to Smithe St. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Hamilton St. from Helmcken St. to Smithe St. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Helmcken St. from Mainland St. to Homer St. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-9:15am | Mainland St. from Smithe St. to Davie St. – CLOSED |
| 9:00am-12:45pm | Burrard St. Bridge – Cornwall St. to Pacific St. -ONE S/BOUND LANE OPEN – TWO N/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 7:45am-9:15am | Cambie St. Bridge (N/BOUND) – from W. 2nd Ave. to Pacific Blvd. – CLOSED |
| 7:00am-8:30am | Pacific Blvd. from Nelson St. to Quebec St. – CLOSED |
South Cambie / Oakridge / Fairview
| 6:45am-8:15am | Cambie St. from W. 29thAve. to Pacific Blvd. -N/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 7:45am-9:00am | Cambie St. from W. King Edward Ave. to W 49thAve. -S/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 6:45am-9:00am | Cambie St. from W. 41st Ave. to W 49th Ave.N/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 7:30am-9:00amLOCAL ACCESS | Granville St. from W. 41st Ave. to W. 70thAve. -LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
| 7:30am-9:00amLOCAL ACCESS | Oak St. from W 41st Ave.to W 70th Ave. -LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
Yaletown / Chinatown
| LOCAL ACCESS | Abbot St. at W. Pender St. – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
| 7:00am-8:45am | Quebec St. / Columbia St. from 1st Ave. to E. Pender St. – ALL S/BOUND LANES – CLOSED, ONE N/BOUND LANE – OPEN – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
| 7:00am-8:45am | E. Pender St. from Columbia St. to Homer St. -E/BOUND LANES – CLOSED, W/BOUND LANES – OPEN |
| 6:45am-8:45am | Union St. from Main St. to Expo Blvd. – CLOSED |
Stanley Park
| 6:00am-10:30am | All roads in Stanley Park – CLOSED (causeway open) |
| 9:00am-12:00pm | Stanley Park Seawall, Second Beach to Children’s Waterpark – FULL CLOSURE |
Rilley Park / Queen Elizabeth Park / Hillcrest
| May 4th 10:00pm to 10:00am May 5th | START AREAMidlothian Ave. from 29th Ave. to Ontario St. – CLOSED |
| Midnight to NoonLOCAL ACCESS | 33rdAve. at Main St. – CLOSEDLOCAL ACCESS to Hillcrest Community Centre / Residents Main at 30th Ave. |
| 6:45am-9:00am | W 29th Ave. from Cambie St. to Midlothian Ave. – CLOSED |
| 5:00am-9:00amPARK ACCESS | Queen Elizabeth Park – Main St. at 37th Ave.. |
| 5:00am-9:00am LOCAL ACCESS | Cambie St. to Main St., from King Edward Ave. to 41st – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
UBC / Endowment Lands/Pacific Spirit Park/Dunbar/Southlands/Kerrisdale
| 7:45am-9:30am | W. 49thAve. from SW Marine Dr. to Cambie St. –W/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 8:00am-9:45am | SW. Marine Dr. from Camosun St. to 49thAve. –W/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 8:00am-9:45am | W. 41st Ave. from Crown St. to Camosun St. / SW. Marine Dr. – CLOSED |
| 8:00am-10:00am | Camosun St. from 29th Ave. to SW Marine Dr. – CLOSED |
| 8:00am-10:15am | W 29th Ave. from Imperial Dr. to Camosun St. – CLOSED |
| 8:15am-10:15am | Imperial Dr. from W 16th Ave. to W 29th Ave, – CLOSED |
| 8:15am-10:15am | W. 16thAve. from Imperial Dr. to Westbrook Mall -E/BOUND TRAFFIC CLOSED |
| 8:15am-10:15am | SW. Marine Dr. to Westbrook Mall-W/BOUND TRAFFIC CLOSED |
| 8:30am-10:30am | Blanca St. from 16th Ave. to 10th Ave. – CLOSED |
| 8:30am-11:00am | NW./SW. Marine Dr. from Chancellor Blvd. to W. 16th Ave. – N/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| LOCAL ACCESS | 41st Ave. & Dunbar St. – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
Point Grey/Kitsilano
| 8:30am-11:45am | NW. Marine Dr. from Chancellor Blvd. to 4th Ave. -CLOSED |
| 8:30am-12:00pm | Belmont Ave. from NW Marine Dr. to Discovery St. – CLOSED |
| 8:45am-11:30amPARK ACCESS | Belmont Ave. & Marine Dr. – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
| 8:30am-12:00pm | Discovery St. from NW Marine Dr. to Jericho – CLOSED |
| 8:45am-12:00pm | W. 4thAve. from NW Marine Dr. to Highbury St. -ONE W/BOUND LANE CLOSED, E/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 8:45am-12:00pmLOCAL ACCESS | W. 4th Ave. at Trimble St. – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
| 9:00am-12:00pm | Highbury St. from Point Grey Rd. to W. 4th Ave. – CLOSED |
| 9:45am-11:45pmLOCAL ACCESS | W. 2nd Ave. at Highbury St. – LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY |
| 9:00am-12:15pm | Point Grey Rd. from Highbury St. to Trafalgar St.–E/BOUND LANES CLOSED |
| 9:00am-12:30pm | Cornwall St. from Chestnut St. to Cypress St. –ONE W/BOUND LANE CLOSED, E/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 9:00am-12:30pm | Cornwall Ave. from Trafalgar St. to Arbutus St. -W/BOUND LANES CLOSED, E/BOUND LANES OPEN |
| 9:00am-12:30pm | Arbutus St. from Cornwall St., to Ogden via McNicol to Maple, Ogden, Ogden from Maple to Chestnut – CLOSED |
| 9:00am-12:30pmMARINA ACCESS | Whyte Ave. & Chestnut St. – Marina Access only via Cypress St. |
Rolling Road Closures/Opening
With both a marathon (42 km) and a half marathon (21 km) covering the city on Sunday, May 5th, the races will follow a rolling closure/open protocol. This means that the roads will NOT be closed for the entire duration of the races. Some will open and close earlier than others. In order to fulfill our agreement with the City of Vancouver and our community neighbourhoods, runners will be required to maintain a minimum pace to ensure roads are reopened as promised by a certain time.
Please review these pace times/locations as below. If you are falling behind these minimum paces, you will be provided with three warnings after which time you will be asked to leave the race. A sweep vehicle will pick you up and remove your bib. We understand that this may be disappointing, however, we have been given permission to use our roads only under these conditions. Thank you for your understanding.
Can I walk?
Rolling Road Closures/Opening
With both a marathon (42.2 km) and a half marathon (21.1 km) covering the city on Sunday, May 5, the races will follow a rolling closure/open protocol. This means that the roads will NOT be closed for the entire duration of the races. Some will open and close earlier than others. In order to fulfill our agreement with the City of Vancouver and our community neighbourhoods, runners will be required to maintain a minimum pace to ensure roads are reopened as promised by a certain time.
Please review these pace times/locations below. If you are falling behind these minimum paces, you will be provided with three warnings after which time you will be asked to leave the race. A sweep vehicle will pick you up and remove your bib. We understand that this may be disappointing, however, we have been given permission to use our roads only under these conditions. Thank you for your understanding.
Will there be enhanced transit service on race day?
BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon participants and spectators are encouraged to use the Canada Line to make it to the Start Line in Queen Elizabeth Park (For half marathon participants, we recommend exiting at King Edward Station. For the marathon participants, we recommend exiting at Oakridge Station. See maps here.)
Canada Line will begin operating at its regular time (first train from Waterfront Station is at 4:48 a.m. and first train from Richmond Brighouse is at 5:02 a.m.) and will provide additional service for crowds to the start of the race. It will then resume its regular Sunday service after 7:45am.
- There will be no early start for SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium Lines (first train from King George Station at 7:08) as well as Seabus (first ferry from Lonsdale Quay at 8:02 a.m.). Regular Sunday service is offered..
- Passengers are reminded that there will be some bus reroutes in the evening on Saturday, May 4, 2013 as event organizers set up the race route. On race day, (May 5, 2013), passengers are reminded that there will be intermittent traffic delays on Oak, Cambie and Granville streets.
Transit times/schedule can be found on http://www.translink.ca/en/Schedules-and-Maps/SkyTrain.aspx
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