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Sun, May 2 · 2027VancouverSince 1972

Vancouver Marathon

The Vancouver Marathon runs point-to-point through one of Canada's most recognizable cities, finishing near the waterfront after a course that trades early climbs for a net downhill to the line. It's a legitimate Boston qualifier with open entry, if you move fast enough to grab a spot.

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VANCOUVER · CA
Vancouver
SUN, MAY 2
2027
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Race Overview

EST. 1972

Vancouver starts at Queen Elizabeth Park, which means you go uphill almost immediately. That's not a surprise if you've done your homework, but a lot of people don't pace for it and pay later. The city opens up around you as the course descends and winds through neighborhoods toward the water, and by the time you're running near the seawall and False Creek, you feel it. The finish close to the waterfront, with the mountains sitting behind the skyline, is the one moment the race genuinely earns. Worth the early effort to get there.

This is a Boston qualifier, but the course doesn't hand you anything. The net drop is real, but so is the climbing in the first half. Be patient in the first five miles. Don't get pulled along by people charging up out of the park. Registration is open entry but fills fast, so if you're targeting this race, don't sleep on signup once it opens. It's a manageable field, the city is easy to get around on transit, and most runners stay downtown or near the start. A solid choice if you want a late-spring BQ attempt in a city that actually rewards the travel.

Field size
~6.9k
6,886 finishers
BQ rate
7%
Near national average
Time limit
6:00
Tight cutoff
Entry
Open
First-come registration
Course records
Men
2:13:14
Garry Henry
1980
Women
2:33:02
Mikky Keetels
2026

The Course

825 ft total gain
Total ascent
↑825 ft
Total descent
↓1,031 ft
Net elevation
↓206 ft
Highest point
340 ft
Lowest point
14 ft
Course shape
Point to point
Different start and finish

The course runs point-to-point with a net drop of just over 200 feet, but the 825 feet of gain means you earn the descent. The early miles climb through Queen Elizabeth Park, with the highest point around 340 feet. From there the course trends downward overall, but the gain is distributed enough that you can't treat it as a pure drop race. The final miles flatten toward the finish near sea level. Resist banking time on early downhills; the mid-race undulations can catch you if you go out too hard. The net profile favors a BQ attempt, but pacing discipline in the first half matters more than the numbers suggest.

DIFFICULTYHILLYPR-FRIENDLYNO
View official course mapPast results

Race-Day Weather

10-year median
Low
46°F
High
61°F
30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°
What to expect

Early May in Vancouver runs cool and often damp. You'll likely start in the mid-to-upper 40s, which feels fine once you're moving but can be chilly waiting in the corral. By the later miles it warms into the low 60s, which is comfortable if the sun comes out but can feel muggy if it stays overcast. Rain is genuinely possible, so plan for it rather than hope against it. A throwaway layer at the start is a good call. Overall the conditions tend to favor racing rather than fighting the weather, but don't count on a dry day.

Entry

OPEN

Registration opens with limited capacity and typically sells out quickly. The race operates on a first-come, first-served basis with capacity limits set in collaboration with City of Vancouver.

Register on race site

Logistics

For runners travelling in
Closest airport
YVR
5 mi
from the start
≈ 10 min transferOn the doorstep
What to expect

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is approximately 20-30 km from downtown. Most runners base themselves in downtown Vancouver or near Queen Elizabeth Park (race start). Public transit on the Canada Line connects the airport to downtown.

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