BC Half Marathon Championship again hosted by RUNVAN® at BMO Vancouver Marathon
BC’s top athletes to pursue BC Half Marathon Championship titles on May 7, 2017
Vancouver, BC – November 23, 2016 –
The BC Half Marathon Championships will again be hosted by the non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society during BMO Vancouver Marathon weekend in May 2017.
In conjunction with BC Athletics, top provincial athletes will compete for additional prize money and recognition on May 7, 2017, at British Columbia’s largest Half Marathon race that in total will look to welcome 10,000 runners from across the province, and across the globe.
“RUNVAN® is very excited to welcome back BC’s brightest runners at the BC Half Marathon Championships, and Vancouver’s only Marathon,” says Graeme White, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, organizers of the event.
“The Elite Athlete Program for the BMO Vancouver Marathon strives to drive excellence by supporting our top provincial athletes, in addition to Elite national and international runners,” says White. “While we offer races for everyone, we also celebrate high-performance and those leading the pack.”
Event Record
| Distance | Male | Champion | Female | Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 2:13:14 | Gary Henry(AUS) 1980 | 2:35:50 | Claudia Camargo(ARG) 2007 |
| Half Marathon | 1:02:36 | Paul Kimugul(KEN) 2014 | 1:12:33 | Mina Ogawa(JAP) 1996 |
Course Record
| Distance | Male | Champion | Female | Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 2:18:37 | Luka Chelimo(KEN) 2015 | 2:37:00 | Kim Doerksen(CAN) 2014 |
| Half Marathon | 1:02:36 | Paul Kimugul(KEN) 2014 | 1:12:53 | Jane Murage(KEN) 2015 |
Half Marathon Course Records that are being chased stand at 1:02:36 for the men and 1:12:53 for the women. Cash prizes will be awarded for Course Records, Top BC Athletes, Top Canadian Athletes, and overall Elite prizing for those that finish in Gold, Silver and Bronze position.
Former Olympian medalist Lynn Kanuka heads up the recruitment effort. This past year, Terence Attema and Saucony sponsored athlete Lisa Brooking took home the BC Half Marathon Championships title, while Kenyan born athletes Paul Kimugul and Jane Murage took overall Half Marathon titles.
“BC Athletics is delighted that BC’s best athletes will again be vying for the title of BC Half Marathon Champion when contesting the BMO Vancouver Marathon event next May,” says Maurice Wilson of BC Athletics. “Hosting the Championship in conjunction with an event that already attracts a international field, further enhances the quality of the competition, and encourages local athletes to raise their game.”
“For the recreational runner, it adds to the excitement,” shares White. “Being in the same race with top athletes brings some extra inspiration.”
Behind the Elite pack, nearly 10,000 Half Marathoners will race down Cambie Street with a fast start that features epic views of the City, mountains and Ocean. After crossing Cambie Bridge, runners cruise through iconic landmarks including Chinatown, Yaletown, the West End, Coal Harbour, English Bay and Stanley Park, before racing to an energized downtown Finish Line with raving fans.
5,000 Marathon runners estimated will conquer a separate 42.2KM course that features 70% shoreline views. BMO Vancouver Marathon event weekend also features a fun 8KM race, Relay, Walk and Kids Run, plus a free three-day Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo. In total, event organizers are looking to welcome nearly 17,000 runners, 4,000 volunteers, and 90,000 spectators.
“The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon courses have become world-famous and now annually welcome runners from over 50 countries to Vancouver, BC, to experience its beauty,” concludes White. “May 7, 2017, will be another celebration of sport and community.”