A record of over 23,000 Participants Conquer the BMO Vancouver Marathon

VANCOUVER, BC — May 5, 2024 — The BMO Vancouver Marathon once again showcased the endurance, determination, and spirit of runners from around the world as over 23,000 participants gathered today for the annual event. From seasoned athletes to first-time marathoners, the streets of Vancouver were alive with excitement and camaraderie as runners tackled the challenging course.

In addition to their athletic achievements, participants in this year’s event have collectively raised over $360,000 for charity, contributing to the remarkable impact of the RUN4HOPE charity program. Through RUN4HOPE, the charity program of the BMO Vancouver Marathon, over $16 million has been raised to date, supporting initiatives aimed at social impact and community good.

This incredible fundraising effort underscores the commitment of runners to not only challenge themselves physically but also to make a positive difference in their communities.

In the Half Marathon men’s event, Dylan Alick took first place with a remarkable time of 1:06:02. Following closely behind, David Mutai of Kenya secured second place with a time of 1:06:50, while Daniel Zewdu claimed third place, crossing the finish line in 1:07:03.

The Female Half Marathon saw equally impressive performances, with Samantha Jory leading the pack with a time of 1:14:23. Olympian Natalia Allan followed closely, securing second place with a time of 1:16:18, while Alyssa Barret showcased her strength and determination, finishing in third place with a time of 1:17:11.

In the Marathon, Sergio Ráez-Villanueva emerged victorious in the men’s division, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:22:45. Chris Ballestrini claimed second place at 2:23:53, closely followed by Matthew Neuman, who secured third place with a time of 2:24:46.

The women’s category witnessed fierce competition, with Argentina Valdepeñas leading the field with a time of 2:39:38. Notably, Kate Landau, at 47 years old, showcased her endurance and dedication, securing second place with a time of 2:40:35. Emily Andrews rounded out the top three with a time of 2:24:46.

In the Adaptive Athlete category, Leo Sammarelli, National Nordic Ski Team Canada athlete crossed the finish line with a time of 2:29:38. “This marathon has the best atmosphere… on-course, bombing down Spanish Banks, UBC was great!”

Adding to the excitement of the event, Yuki Kawauchi, known as Japan’s ‘Citizen Runner,’ paced the Half Marathon event and remained at the Finish Line, cheering on fellow runners as they completed their journey.

“I am so grateful for people out there cheering us and especially those from Mexico calling my name! It really energized me! Looking forward to seeing my name on that trophy,” adds Champion Argentina Valdepeñas

Olympian Evan Dunfee, who is going to the Paris Olympics for two events, race-walked the event as training. “Being surrounded by and welcomed by the community was amazing,” adds Dunfee.

“The seawall is really pretty and gorgeous,” adds Landau, coming in from a win at Eugene, Oregon. “I hope to inspire people”