It’s a SELL OUT!

It’s a SELL OUT!

Two news courses attract 15,000 runners to the BMO Vancouver Marathon for Sunday, May 6th.

Vancouver, BC – April 30, 2012 – History will be made on Sunday, May 6th at the 41st running of the BMO Vancouver Marathon with races selling out at the capped limit of 5,000 marathon and 10,000 half-marathon runners. Runners from nearly 50 countries will be part of the inaugural launch of the re-designed point-to-point courses.

The 2012 BMO Vancouver Marathon now includes a separate marathon and half marathon course encompassing a combined total of 63 kilometres of some of the most stunning views and landmarks in Vancouver. Starting from Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing downtown near the waterfront at Canada Place, each course takes runners on a different journey through the city.

“The new courses are the first re-design of the marathon and half-marathon routes in over a decade. Runners, spectators and supporters all agreed it was time to better showcase the running city we have become,” adds Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society. “Approval of the new courses took nearly two years and I am grateful to our Volunteer Race Committee who persevered through an extensive consultative process to gain support from dozens of business organizations, government agencies and community groups.”

For 2012, the courses were capped at 5,000 participants for the marathon and 10,000 for the half-marathon to deliver a safe and memorable experience for participants, spectators, volunteers and local residents. Nearly 4,000 volunteers will cheer, motivate and help at the 37 aid stations, 10 BMO Cheer Stations, 12 Music Stations, along the course, and, at the start and finish line.

The sell-out represents a 22% increase in registrations over 2011, with runners travelling from Bosnia, Cambodia, China, Belguim, Costa Rica, South Africa, Venezuela, Korea, Peru, Brazil, Australia, Japan and the US. The Canadian contingent remains the largest group representing about 75 per cent of all runners.

Runners who didn’t register in time can contact the organization to determine if spots become available as a result of cancellations, Krepiakevich adds. “We cannot guarantee openings at this time, but runners can check the website or enquire at the Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo.”

About the Vancouver International Marathon Society

The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization. The event is one of Canada’s largest marathons and has a 40 year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. On Sunday, May 6, 2012, the BMO Vancouver Marathon will feature two new point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighbourhoods. The 2012 events is capped at 5,000 marathon participants and 10,000 half-marathon participants.