Vancouver’s only marathon event will welcome runners from over 60 countries, but you don’t have to run to enjoy the festivities
Not running this weekend? You can still enjoy the fun and free Marathon festivities going on all week. Come see the 100,00th Marathoner cross the Finish Line or witness an on-course wedding!
From visiting the free Health & Sports Expo, May 4-6, to enjoying the over 30 Entertainment Groups part of the Community Cheer Challenge presented by Chevron, there are plenty of ways for runners and non-runners alike to celebrate Vancouver’s only marathon event.
Free Health & Sports Expo, 100+ Exhibitors and lots of free giveaways
See why Vancouver is the most active city in the World at the Health & Sports Expo this Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Sample food and enjoy tons off free demos from over 100 brands showcasing the latest health and fitness products at this free event.
You can also win great prizes including Whitecaps tickets from BMO, Seahawks Training Camp VIP passes, flights to Paris from Air France, and more! It’s free, fun, and where you’ll want to be with new activations each day.
Event organizers, the non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society, have added some special additions for this year’s event. One such feature is the ‘Fastest Feet’ contest, in which participants can compete for daily prizes at the Dance Dance Revolution machine.
Expo attendees will also be able to record special video messages for runners to receive on-course on the new ‘Giant Cheer Screen’ presented by Saucony. Oh yeah, Saucony shoes will also be given away daily at the Expo.
For times and more information, please visit bmovanmarathon.ca/runvan-expo
Community Cheer Challenge presented by Chevron
On Sunday, May 7, come out and show your support with the Community Cheer Challenge presented by Chevron. Community groups are eligible for $7,000 in prizing which will be awarded to the best cheer groups in categories such as best cheer, creativity, costumes, and dance. Bring your friends, signs, and cheer on thousands of inspring runners.
New for this year are Community Cheer Stations held in Chinatown, Coal Harbour, West End, Kitsilano, and Yaletown. Come out and watch as Marathoners race through some of Vancouver’s most vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods on May 7.
Join others in celebrating this world-class event, or find your own spot along the course and cheer on runners as they race by. You’ll surely be motivated by the energy, and the more than 30 entertainment stations on-course.
To learn more, please visit bmovanmarathon.ca/community-challenge
Street Festival
The Street Festival takes place on Race Day from 8:30am to 2:30pm on West Hastings Street between Bute and Burrard Street, just one block north of the Finish Line. The Street Festival is a family-friendly event that is open to all runners, supporters, and spectators. Bring the whole family down for a festival full of food trucks, entertainment, and a Kids’ Zone. You can also check out new Tesla cars here.
For more information, please visit bmovanmarathon.ca/street-festival
Volunteering on Race Day
BMO Vancouver Marathon race weekend relies on the support of nearly 4,000 volunteers annually. From set-up and clean-up at the Start or Finish Lines, to helping out at water stations, all volunteers are vital to the event’s success and get a front row seat to the action, and help the event achieve a high waste diversion rate of 98%.
Select volunteer roles are still available online at bmovanmarathon.ca/volunteer
Viewing from Abroad
Vancouver’s only marathon event, the BMO Vancouver Marathon now annually welcomes runners from over 60 countries. For those family and friends who are unable to make it to Vancouver to cheer in-person, there will be a live-stream of the Finish Line online, available to all runners and spectators via the BMO Vancouver Marathon website.
To learn more, visit bmovanmarathon.ca