A point-to-point marathon from Queen Elizabeth Park through the UBC and beach-side sections, across Burrard Bridge and around Stanley Park's Seawall before the downtown finish.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
The course, section by section
Open a section for the terrain and a practical pacing cue.
Queen Elizabeth Park openingQueen Elizabeth Park, Cambie, Camosun corridor.
City roads with early elevation changes.
How to approach it Do not let a favourable opening slope set the pace for the entire day. Keep the steps light and the effort conservative. It is more valuable to arrive at the park/UBC section with comfortable legs than to post your fastest marathon kilometre immediately.
Pacific Spirit and UBCPacific Spirit Park, UBC.
Road-running park/campus section; not a technical trail race.
How to approach it Let gradual climbs change the split without changing your whole plan. Keep the fuelling routine ordinary and controlled. Treat a descent as a chance to relax rather than reaching far ahead with each step to recover lost seconds.
Spanish Banks to KitsilanoSpanish Banks, Point Grey, Kitsilano.
Coastal city roads.
How to approach it Use halfway as a check, not a signal to race the second half immediately. Notice whether you can still eat, drink and hold your posture comfortably. The coastal setting can be motivating, but it is still early enough to spend energy you will need around Stanley Park.
Burrard Bridge transitionBurrard Bridge, Beach Avenue, Inukshuk.
Bridge approach/descent and road-to-path transition.
How to approach it Shorten the task on the bridge: maintain effort, keep shoulders relaxed and regain rhythm on the other side. Do not try to make the bridge split match a flatter one by forcing the climb or braking hard down the descent.
Stanley Park seawallStanley Park seawall.
Long curving waterfront path.
How to approach it Use the next bend or landmark as a manageable focus and keep passing moves predictable. When fatigue makes the park feel long, return to simple cues rather than staring at instant pace. Continue familiar fuel and avoid assuming the city finish is already imminent.
Downtown finishDenman, Pender Street finish.
Path-to-road transition and city finish.
How to approach it Keep attention for the change in surface and the last turns. Increase effort only as the remaining distance permits. Run through the actual line and use a post-exit reunion point so you can recover without searching against the moving crowd.
Official maps & course details
- Course character
- The organiser describes a 42.2km route past beaches, parks and Vancouver’s Seawall.
The following course details are from the edition shown. They help you understand the route while your edition’s final information is being prepared.
- Published map edition
- The available marathon map is labeled 2026.2026
The linked 2026 route is a planning reference. The 2027 course and race-day arrangements may change.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Start comfortably and allow the early changes in gradient to affect pace.
Use UBC, the beaches and Burrard Bridge as stages.
Break the Seawall into smaller targets before the final downtown approach.
A PB or time goal
Avoid spending your best effort on the early descending roads.
Hold your routine through the beach-side sections and bridge.
Keep enough for the Seawall before making your final time decision.
If the weather or your pace changes
The coastal roads, bridge and Seawall can expose you to different wind and rain even within one race. Check the forecast and prepare familiar kit that handles the likely conditions; avoid a new shoe or sock combination simply because the event is a destination trip. If the breeze changes around a bend, hold effort rather than surging for a neat split. Wet path transitions deserve space. If the day feels warmer than your training, revise the target early and keep the practised drinking routine manageable.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
Published station information · Check your final runner guide.
- Toilets
- The race information lists portable toilets at numerous on-course stations and at the start and finish. Use the station map for the specific points; it does not say every station has a toilet.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
Race number
Packet collection
Vancouver Convention Centre East, 999 Canada Place: 30 April 10:00–19:00 and 1 May 09:00–17:00. No race-day pickup.
The start
Start
Marathon starts 08:30 at Queen Elizabeth Park on 2 May 2027; colour-coded corrals have separate start times.
Start & finish access
- Gear check
- Marathon gear check is at the expo only. Use the supplied clear bag; there is no start-line gear check.
Pacers & course cut-offs
- Pacers
- The race-info page lists marathon pacers from 3:10 to 5:45, including selected run/walk groups.
Kit rules & accessibility
- Entry policies
- Entries are non-refundable and non-transferable. Registered runners may apply for a following-year deferral discount.
- Headphones
- The race-info page discourages headphones for safety.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Choose a beach/bridge cheer or a downtown finish base from the spectator map. The Seawall is not a convenient driving route for following a runner; agree a precise Pender Street-area reunion outside the finish flow.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Kitsilano course streets
A support spot to consider before the bridge and later seawall. Check public access and course crossings.
Downtown finish surroundings
A practical reunion base. Do not assume you can move quickly along the narrower seawall while the race is running.
2027
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
Getting there and getting home
- Public transport to the start
- RUNVAN encourages public transport and identifies Canada Line’s King Edward station for the marathon start. It does not provide official start-line parking. Check your edition’s corral and service times.Published organiser guidance; 2027 service times to confirm
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
See the organiser for the latest entry options and availability.
Check official entry optionsWhat you need to enter
- Minimum age
- 18 or older for the marathon.Published organiser registration policy
- International entry fee
- International marathon entry with shirt is USD195 plus taxes and online fees; Green Bib without shirt is USD10 less.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Practise rolling road running and steady effort after a descent. Rehearse carrying your chosen fuel rather than assuming every station has it.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideArrive ready, not worn out
Understand what changes in the final weeks before a marathon.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.