Prizes for non-Elite Athletes to be won at the BMO Vancouver Marathon
Not all runners at the BMO Vancouver Marathon will be able to keep up with the fast Elite Athletes on race day, May 1st, however, everyone can strive to win prizes. The ‘Races within the Race’ program challenges runners to achieve personal and team goals, regardless of their fitness levels and race distance. Runners will have an opportunity to win prizes for achieving their own personal goal times, and can win with other fun initiatives.
“The Races within the Race program is a fun way to recognize the wonderful individuals, teams, schools and members of the community,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society, organizers of the event. “It’s not just about who is the fastest at the BMO Vancouver Marathon. We look forward to seeing smiling faces, hugs and cheers. Everyone is welcome.”
In a new initiative to help celebrate the event’s 45th anniversary and to motivate runners to set their own personal goals, the BMO Vancouver Marathon is awarding 45 free entries to runners who meet or beat their estimated finish times, regardless of what that time is. Winners will be randomly selected and offered free registration into next year’s race.
The ‘Races within the Race’ program also features age category awards, a fun hill challenge along Vancouver’s only marathon course, and team challenges.
First-place male and female age category winners will receive free entry into the following year’s race, while the second and third-placed winners will also be recognized by gender. Chip time, not gun time, will determine age group awards. Runners are automatically entered into the following age groups: under 19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80-84; 85-89; 90-94; 95-99; 100 and above.
The Camosun Hill Challenge is a fun race within the Marathon event. With timing mats placed at the top and bottom of Camosun Hill in Dunbar, marathoners are tracked though their timing chip as they climb 1,230 metres with an elevation gain of 54 metres. Prizes will go to the fastest male and female marathon runners, excluding Elite Athletes.
The largest overall team and the largest school team will be presented cash prizes, as will the fastest Marathon Relay team that’s comprised of at least two members of the opposite gender. Teams also benefit from discounted race entry. If you have a team of 10 or more, email [email protected] for details.
“There is a race distance for everyone, from a new 2.5KM Walk to Vancouver’s only 42.2KM course,” adds Krepiakevich. “With incredible crowd excitement, and six different races, the BMO Vancouver Marathon is a ‘must-do’ event for runners of all abilities. We invite everyone to join in!”
The BMO Vancouver Marathon will feature a free three-day Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo April 28-30, plus a Kids Run, new 2.5KM Walk, Marathon Relay, Half Marathon and Marathon on Sunday, May 1, 2016.
BMO Vancouver Marathon prices will increase on January 31 at 11:59PM PST.
