Race Details
At-A-Glance
Capped: 10,000 participants
Ages: 16+ (anyone under the age of 19 must have parental consent)
Date: Sunday, May 5, 2013
Start Time: 7:00am
Start Line: Queen Elizabeth Park (click here for a Google Maps of the area). Midlothian Avenue, near the Hillcrest Community Centre & Nat Bailey Stadium).
: Canada Line / King Edward Station or Oakridge-41st Station. Prepare your trip here
Finish Line: Pender Street (between Bute & Thurlow)
: Canada Line / Waterfront Station. Prepare your trip here
Schedule
Thursday, Friday, Saturday (May 2, 3, 4)
- Plan your package pickup (bib, chip, Tech shirt, & more) before the event at the Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo in Canada Place, Hall C (click here for a Google Maps of the area).
- Pick up your Transit Ticket from Booth #509 at the Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo.
: Canada Line / Waterfront Station. Prepare your trip here
Sunday, May 5 – Race Day!
Starting near the top of Little Mountain at Queen Elizabeth Park at the centre of city, the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon officially starts at 7am on Sunday, May 5, 2013. The start line is located on Midlothian Avenue.
Please note: Transit times/schedule can be found on translink.ca. The Canada Line will operate at normal levels of service and start times (with no increased frequency). Millenium and Expo line will operate at normal levels of service and start times (with no increased frequency). Check translink.ca for transit times. Please note, there will be no early transit service on Skytrain and the SeaBus on race day. You can pick up a free transit ticket at the Expo. The ticket will need to be validated at the transit station before boarding the train. Please plan ahead and arrange your own transportation to the Canada Line.
Start Line
6:00am: Arrive early to avoid anxiety and experience the start line vibe. Get your picture taken. (Click here to see how to get there or click here to see a Start Line Diagram)
6:00am-6:15am: Check Gear on Ontario St
6:15am-6:30am: Find your corral
6:30am: High-five volunteers. Hug pals. Stretch.
7.00am: Race begins! First corral of Half Marathon runners leave, subsequent corrals will follow.
11:00am: Half Marathon Course Closure
Finish Line
You did it! Congrats. Big smile. Wave. Get your medal. Grab your food. Get your picture taken. Kiss your mate. Hug your pals. High-five volunteers. (Click here to see the Finish Line Diagram or click here to learn more about the Street Festival)
Turn-by-Turn for the Half Marathon
Turn-By-Turn Directions (updated April 25, 2013)
Rolling Road Closures/Opening
With both a marathon (42.2 km) and a half marathon (21.1 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.
Stations
Water Stations > Every Station
Electrolyte Drink > Station 4, 5, 8, 9 11 & 12 (Gatorade with a choice of two flavours, Orange and Lemon)
Powerbar Gel > Station 6 (Strawberry Banana, Vanilla, Double Latte, Chocolate)
Medical Stations > Station 6, 7, 9 & 12
Food Station > BMO Motivation Station 7 (Candies!)
Please download the Course Map for exact locations of Gatorade, Gels, medical stations, toilets, and water.
Package Pickup
There will be no race package pickup on race day.
- Plan your package pickup (bib, chip, Tech shirt, & more) before the event at the Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo in Canada Place, Hall C (click here for a Google Maps of the area).
: Canada Line / Waterfront Station. Prepare your trip here
You can 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 – 6:00pm
IMPORTANT : To pick up your package you will need your Bib Number and a picture ID (click here to search your bib number).
Getting your race package picked up by somebody else
If someone is picking up your race package on your behalf, they will need:
- A valid photo ID (Driving License, Passport, ID Card)
- Your Name
- Your Bib Number
Please be advised that they will also need to sign a legal release from the Vancouver International Marathon Society with information from their Photo ID. This document will be kept as a record indicating they are responsible for your race package (bib, chip, shirt, etc). The Society, the event, and volunteers are released from any responsibility to that race package.
Express Check In for VIP Runners + RUN4HOPE Runners
VIP Runners and RUN4HOPE Runners will have an express line at the Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo in Canada Place, Hall C. Look for the special entrance marked as VIP Runners. To pick up your package, you will need both your Bib Number and Photo ID.
For RUN4HOPE Runners, the long sleeve RUN4HOPE tech training shirt will be included in each race packet.
BMO Power of Blue
If you are a BMO customer, you will enjoy the blue carpet treatment when picking up your race package. You simply have to show your BMO® Debit Card and BMO MasterCard® at Package Pickup to enjoy the BMO Power of Blue fast track line. Look for the special entrance marked BMO Power of Blue. To pick up your package, you will need both your Bib Number and Photo ID. Learn more about the BMO Power of Blue here.
Team Captains
Team captains may pick up all the packages for their team at the designated Team Package Pickup line. Captains must have a complete list of team members’ names and corresponding bib numbers, as well as, photo ID. The same legal release and rules apply. ONLY Team Captains may pick up their team’s packages (no exceptions).
Start Line
Starting near the top of Little Mountain at Queen Elizabeth Park at the centre of city, the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon officially starts at 7am on Sunday, May 5, 2013. The start line is located on Midlothian Avenue. Your registration includes a Transit Ticket that you can use on Canada Line to get to the Start Line.
At the Start Line, you will be welcomed by hundreds of friendly volunteers, a buzz of activity and thousands of your new best running pals. Amenities will include portable toilets, aid stations, information stations, gear check trucks, and the usual mayhem at the beginning of big races!
Please note: 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.
Classic Rock 101’s Bro Jake Show will be on hand to help kick of the Half Marathon and Marathon! Before you start the race, get pumped up with legendary morning man Brother Jake Edwards alongside co-host Mike Eckford. They won’t be running as they would probably tire out after just 200 metre, but they’ll be armed with plenty of jokes and tunes to get you in the running mood!
Things to Remember
- It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to walk from the Canada line station to the Start Line.
- We encourage Half Marathon participants to use Canada line and stop at King Edward or Oakridge-41st.
- Arrive NO LATER THAN 45 minutes before the start of your event and NO LATER THAN 1 hour if you wish to use the Gear Check.
- The Start Line will include a runners compounds with toilets, gear check, medical and entertainment.
- The Little League concession stand will be open with limited light snacks and beverages for purchase*
*Subject to change.
Please note: the Hillcrest Community Centre washroom facilities, change rooms and food areas are reserved only for the Community Centre users. Thank you for your respect of the Hillcrest Community Centre and its users.
Getting to the Start Line
How to get there for Half Marathon participants
We recommend that you arrive early, sometime around 6:00am. This will give you time to walk to the Start Line, enjoy the vibe, check your gear, find your corral, take a pee, stretch and dance a runners dance. The Half Marathon officially begins at 7am.The course was designed around Public Transit. 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. See map 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.
It is important to note that this year the Runner’s Compound will be situated in the gravel lot adjacent to Nat Bailey Stadium and gear check will be located on Ontario St.
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
If you need to be dropped off near the Start Line, we recommend Main Street, near 30th Avenue. Please make sure you give yourself lots of time to walk to the Start Line (about 5 minutes). Expect delays, traffic & wait times. Embrace the anticipation, trepidation and action! It’s all part of the journey.
Corrals
In 2012, event organizers introduced corrals at the start line. Corrals (or waves) are designated start areas that allow for groups of runners to be clustered according to their finish times. The corrals will hold the runners and officials will release them in waves to provide a smooth and fast start for our Half Marathon event. The corrals and waves of runners help ensure that the event is spaced safely avoiding line-ups at aid stations on the course. Corrals are assigned by Estimated Finish Times provided at registration.
Your bib number will direct you to the right corral. Check your bib number here. Bibs will be picked up at the Package Pickup area at the Health, Sports and Lifestyle Expo on the Thursday, Friday or Saturday before the event
- 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
What is your Start Corral assignment based on?
Start Line corral placement is based on the estimated finish time you have entered at time of registration. If this is your first Half Marathon and you are uncertain of your Estimated Finish Time, we recommend that you determine your estimated finish time by reviewing this information: Click Here to calculate your estimated time.
Once you are assigned a corral, you will not be able to change. Make sure you enter the correct Estimated Time. In some cases, we might be asking you to justify your estimated time by providing previous race results.
Corrals are used at the Start Line to provide a smooth and efficient start for our participants. You will be placed in a corral based on the estimated finish time supplied during registration. Your bib number will directly relate to your designated corral. Each corral will be clearly marked at the Start Line and will have its own gear check and toilets.
For the safety of all runners you must stay in the corral assigned. There will be volunteers checking you bib numbers to make sure you are in the correct corral. If you have not supplied your estimated finish time, you will be placed in the last corral.
Corral Preparation
The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon events will cover over 63 km on race day, Sunday May 5. The two routes cover some of the best running terrain in Vancouver.
To create the best possible running experience for you, in addition to upholding the safety and civic requirements of the City, we have established corrals at the start line to manage the disbursement and volume of runners on the course. Each corral will be released in intervals.
Half Marathon participants will be released in short intervals so that you expediently run down Cambie Street (near Mile 2), to avoid any disruption and access to Vancouver’s major hospital.
Should emergency road access be required, there will be two sets of corrals with timing mats at these locations. These mats will enable the timing company to automatically adjust your time should this occur. AIMS officials have ratified and sanctioned this event, including the use of mats as noted above.
The corral system is standard practice in many large events and allows races to have a safe, efficient start with everyone crossing the Start Line within approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Pace Bunnies
Pace bunnies look funny wearing rabbit ears, but it’s serious business trying to run even splits for a Half Marathon. Because running a Half Marathon is long and hard, (thanks to the Running Room) we have Pace Bunnies to help runners keep a designated pace and ultimately to help you complete your run. Make sure to spot their pink ears on race day, 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).
Half Marathon Pace Times
Pace Bunnies will be offered for the following finish times:
-1:30 | Yellow Corral
-1:45 | Yellow Corral
-2:00 | Blue Corral
-2:15 | Pink Corral
-2:15 | Pink Corral
-2:30 | Green Corral
-2:30 | Green Corral
Each Pace Bunny will run even splits (every km will be run in the same amount of time) throughout the Half Marathon, and by following your Pace Bunny, you should be able to cross the line with a better finish time.
Finish Area
This year, one of the big improvement we made is to move the Finish Line onto Pender Street. This means a big Downtown Finish full of spectators, excitements and more. Once you cross the Finish Line, you will be congratulated by dozen of volunteers, get your medal, get some water, your finisher’s lunch bag and be directed to Gear checkout or to the Street Festival.
There will be a tent at the Street Festival with volunteers equipped with tablets to check your results and brag a little. You will also be able to vote using tablets for your favorite bands.
Please note: For safety and security reasons, Pender Street will be a restricted area only available to participants, volunteers, media and staffs.
Planning for the Weather
We have West Coast beauty but that means West Coast weather! Plan for ALL types of weather on Race Day. Runners should be prepared for changing weather throughout the day, and have a plan for post-race recovery. It is highly recommended that runners consider checking warm and waterproof gear at the Start Line Gear Check, or ask friends or family to bring warm clothing for you to the Finish Line. Please note that Finish Line blankets will not be provided, so while we hope for good weather, please plan to have appropriate post-race clothing.
Finisher’s Lunch Bag
This year, the BMO Vancouver Marathon is proud to be working with Whole Foods to offer runners a bagged lunch when they cross the Finish Line. The lunch will be packaged in a recycle bag and will feature Kettle Chips, banana, Sunrype juice box, fruit to go fruit leather, PowerBar Protein bar, Mary’s crackers & bottled water.
With 17,000 runners passing through the finish line area in just a few hours, runners will be asked to collect their lunch bag from the food compound and exit quickly. Runners will then be encouraged to make their way to the Runners’ Festival to cool-down, reunite with friends and family, check finish times, collect gear, and witness the Awards Ceremony. Any unwanted or unclaimed food items will be transported to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
Leaving the Finish Line (Plan Ahead!)
Finish Line: Pender Street (between Bute & Thurlow)
: Canada Line / Waterfront Station. Prepare your trip here
The best way to leave the Finish Line is via public transit ! Take a bus, a train or the SeaBus home or back to your hotel.
If you are arranging to be picked up, we recommend that you take transit out of the Downtown core. There will be event road closures and some congestion in the Downtown area, so getting around in a vehicle will be challenging. Please expect and plan for delays.
If you have decided to park’n'ride (park Downtown in the morning and get to the Start Line by train), make sure you are 100% recovered to drive.
To ensure your experience ends on a high note, please plan to have appropriate clothing when you finish. It is highly recommended that you consider checking warm and waterproof gear, or ask your friends, family or mate to bring warm clothing for you. Be prepared and have a plan for after you finish. No blankets will be provided.
Gear Check
Click here for a great offer from UPS
There will be Gear Check available at the Start Line at Queen Elizabeth Park. Gear Check will be located on Ontario St. (between E 33rd Ave and E 30th Ave). All gear will be transported for the Marathon and Half Marathon events to a secured area on West Pender St. near the Finish Line (between Bute and Burrard). You will check your bag according to your corral colour (Yellow, Blue, Pink, Green, Purple).
If you plan to check gear at the Start Line, please allow a minimum of 1 hour prior to the race.
All items must fit into a bag, 21” x 26” (about the size of a medium garbage bag). Gear cannot be any more than 10 pounds and must fully fit inside the gear check bag (no luggage will be accepted). Once the bag is stuffed, runners will remove the portion of their bib number designated for Gear Check and attach the label to the bag. Once sealed, the bag can then be given to volunteers at the UPS truck.
Half Marathon Gear check will close at 6:45 am. This is critical in order to ensure the trucks arrive at the Finish Line Area prior to the runners.
Once finished, runners can proceed to the Gear Check Area located on W. Pender St. (between Bute & Burrard) to pick up your gear. Runners will need to show their bib in order to pick up their gear. No gear bags will be distributed without a bib. Bibs are a runner’s identification on race day and should not be destroyed, damaged, or discarded.
Bag-In-A-Bag Procedure
- A clear plastic bag will be provided when collecting our Race Package at the expo.
- Detach the 1×6 label from the bib and zip it to the bag so that it is easily visible.
- All gear MUST fit into this bag. Gear Check will not accept any other forms of checked bags.
- Bring stuffed bag to the gear check counter.
- Bib is required to retrieve items after the race.
Within 15-20 minutes of finishing, runners can proceed to the Gear Check Area located on W. Pender St. to pick up gear. Runners will need to show their bib in order to pick up their gear. No gear bags will be distributed without a bib. Bibs are a runner’s identification on race day and should not be destroyed, damaged, or discarded.
The Vancouver International Marathon Society will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items, so please ensure the bag is properly labeled. Runners are advised to leave all valuables at home. Anything that is lost will be held at the Information Tents and must be claimed by 4pm on Sunday, May 5, 2013. Any items unclaimed after 5pm on Sunday, May 5 will be donated to charity. The Society will not be holding any lost items past this day and time.
Course Entertainment
More music, more cheering, more spectators! For 2013, event organizers plan to add more on-course entertainment to motivate, inspire and entertain runners. Watch for local musical groups, community cheer groups and thousands and thousands of spectators along the course on May 5, 2013.
Music
This year, look for exciting bands and music groups along the Half marathon course. There will be 10 music groups on the half marathon course, and additional music stations provided by our official Radio Partner Classic Rock 101, 99.3 The Fox, and CKNW AM 980. All of the on-course entertainment will be there for runners and spectators to enjoy free of charge!
Make sure you swing by the Music Voting/Results tent to vote for your favorite band! Friendly volunteers will be waiting for you with tablets. Make your vote counts.
What to expect from Classic Rock 101: Classic Rock 101’s Bro Jake Show will be on hand to help kick of the Half and Marathon! Before you start the race, get pumped up with legendary morning man Brother Jake Edwards alongside co-host Mike Eckford. They won’t be running as they would probably tire out after just 200 metre, but they’ll be armed with plenty of jokes and tunes to get you in the running mood!
What to expect from CKNW AM 980: CKNW will be on Denman St as you finish your Seawall journey to keep you going in the last kilometre or so.
What to expect from 99.3 The Fox: Some great entertainment at the Street Festival!
Cheer
Represent your neighbourhood! Come to one of our 13 designated Starbucks before the BMO Vancouver Marathon to pick up a customizable cheer poster. On the day of the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, meet your friends and community neighbours at one of the designated Starbucks and then head on out to cheer on the runners of the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon.
Pick up cheer signs at any designated Starbucks location between April 22 and May 4 !!! More details here
Watch
Want the best seat in the house to watch your friends, colleagues and loved ones put themselves to the test? Get your flags, your Cheer posters paint your faces, shake your hips and raise your banners at the following locations. Bring your best Chi to cheer! Learn more here.
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