Race Policies

Participant Dashboard

Login to your Participant Dashboard to customize your race bib before April 10.

GENERAL POLICIES

Age Restrictions

Race registration Age Policy requires that as of race day, all Marathon participants must be 18 or older, all Half Marathon participants must be 16 or older, and all 8KM participants must be 11 or older. Kids Run participants must be between 5 and 12 years old on their race day. This policy follows international standards, has been informed by our external medical advisers, and is in place for the safety of participants. Parents/guardians must sign the online waiver at registration for participants aged 18 or under. Parents/guardians are also urged to ensure that young runners have the training and pace judgement required to complete the event comfortably and safely. Event organizers reserve the right to require proof of age.

Prohibited Items

The use of strollers, bicycles, inline skates, or any other means of propulsion, pets, and personal drone use are strictly prohibited. The right to disqualify runners who fail to comply with these regulations is at the sole and exclusive decision of the Board of Directors of the Vancouver International Marathon Society.

Drone Usage

Personal and Commercial drone use is strictly prohibited at any Vancouver International Marathon Society event; including all BMO Vancouver Marathon events, the First Half, Granville Island Turkey Trot and Great Trek.

iPods/MP3 players/headphones

For runner safety, music devices are not encouraged. There is no risk of disqualification for simple use. If a runner puts themselves or other runners at risk through an unsafe act that event officials determine was caused directly or indirectly through the use of a prohibited item however, the runner may be disqualified. Wear one earbud at most, so you can hear instructions from race officials. In the event of an accident, your wearing of earbuds may invalidate an insurance claim.

Nordic Pole Walkers and Walkers

Nordic Pole Walkers are not encouraged due to congestion on course. However, should poles be required, participants will be placed in the last corral. In addition, Nordic pole walkers and walkers will be instructed to walk at the side of the course to reduce any potential congestion. All walkers must meet course time limits.

Ambulatory, impaired or people with other disabilities

Please contact the BMO Vancouver Marathon before registering.

Timing Cutoffs

There will be designated check points along the course with authorized course marshals that monitor and encourage runners to stay on pace and to ensure completion within the cut off time. A sweep vehicle will be available for pick up if necessary. Course time limits: Marathon 6 hours, Half Marathon 4 hours, 8KM 1.5 hours.

Pacing

Pacers should be made known to all competitors, including the pace (target time) they plan to run to ensure equal opportunity to benefit from the pacer if they so desire. Pace bunnies fall under this category.

Pacers must start at the start, and run the entire race unless they drop out. i.e. a pacer cannot come in 10K from the finish and start pacing someone if they haven’t run the first 32.2K.

Pacers must also be registered in the same race as those they are pacing.

Course Hours

The Half Marathon course opens at 7am and closes at 11am on Race Day. The Marathon course opens at 8:30am and closes at 3pm Race Day. The 8KM course has a start time of 9:30am and closes at 11am race day. The Marathon, Half Marathon and 8KM all share the same bustling Downtown Finish Line, where you’ll celebrate amidst a throng of cheering spectators. Due to our agreement with the City of Vancouver, the event is required to open roads at specific times and if you arrive later than these times, you will not be permitted to run.

Note: The Half Marathon Start Line is closed at 7:20AM, the Marathon Start Line is closed at 8:40AM, and the 8KM is closed at 9:40AM.

Course Availability

The event is restricted and limited to registered participants only.

REFUND POLICY

Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable under any circumstances.

For Legal and Liability reasons runners cannot offer their unused bib to any other runner. Runners cannot defer their unused entry to the following year. Thank you for understanding.

EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY

The Vancouver International Marathon Society, in accordance with management executives and the Board, City officials and local law enforcement, has the authority to cancel any of the events for emergency purposes such as, but not limited to, inclement weather or threat of terrorism. If such emergency conditions force cancellation, refunds cannot be provided since funds will have been spent in preparation for race day.

DEFERRAL POLICY

Please note the following Deferral Policies apply for the In-Person event.

If the In-Person event is cancelled due to events beyond the reasonable control, such as acts of God, acts of government, acts of wars, epidemics, quarantines, riots, fire, strikes or labour problems (including legal work stoppages or slowdowns), unavailability of communications or electrical power or other necessary utility services, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact and earthquakes, floods and other disasters, and other events of a similar nature (collectively, “Force Majeure Events”), depending on the date of cancellation, the Society shall provide participants the following:

Event Cancellation announced on March 1 or earlier:

• Entry switch into this year’s Virtual Race, race bonuses, AND
• 75% Deferral Discount into one of the next three BMO Vancouver Marathon events

Event Cancellation announced after March 2:

• Entry switch into this year’s Virtual Race, race bonuses, AND
• 25% Deferral Discount into one of the next three BMO Vancouver Marathon events

Medical Deferral Policy

Runner Medical Deferral
Applicable to In-Person participants only.

Registrants unable to participate in the Marathon or Half Marathon due to an injury and/or medical reason are eligible to receive a 75% discount on their registration for the following year, when they volunteer on Race Day at the Start Line. All applications must be received before the race starts – no exceptions.

Only for medical reasons may a runner apply for a partial Deferral Discount, and all Medical Deferral Applications must be made before the race starts.

• 75% Deferral Discount into the next year’s race if you’re able to volunteer at the Start Line this year
• 50% Deferral Discount into the next year’s race if you’re unable to volunteer on race day this year

Note: Deferral discounts cannot be used in combination with other discounted race registrations, including student, senior, youth and charity pricing.

To apply for Medical Deferral, login to your Participant Dashboard and find the associated BMO Vancouver Marathon event. Click the ‘Edit Registration‘ blue button, top-right, and then toggle to the tab ‘Registration Questions‘. Check ‘Yes’ in the first Medical Deferral box and respond to the subsequent questions. Save your responses and then if you’d like and are able to, please Register to Volunteer. Your Medical Deferral Code will be emailed to you before registration opens for next year’s event.

Doping Policies

The international sport governing bodies IAAF and IOC have banned Russian athletes from international competition and as such the BMO Vancouver Marathon will not accept Russian athletes into the Elite Athlete Program, nor will Russian athletes be eligible for awards or prizing.

In-competition drug testing is not currently administered by the Vancouver International Marathon Society. Our races are unsanctioned by the IAAF and are thereby not required to conduct drug testing. A winner, first, second or third place, who becomes disqualified by a recognized governing body due to doping in the time period of our event will be disqualified from our event and the title removed. The title will then be awarded to the next qualified athlete. Disqualified winners will be requested to return or refund any prizes received.

PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL OR MOBILITY DISABILITIES

For virtual races. All participants welcome.

For in-person events. Athletes with racing wheelchairs are welcome to participate in the event. Hand-cycles are prohibited. Please indicate in the registration form that you are participating in a wheelchair. Participants with a wheelchair may be pushed in a race-approved wheelchair. Both participants must be registered; Escorts will be required to have the wheelchair tethered to their body (arm, wrist or waist) to ensure the wheelchair does not leave their company for the duration of the event.

Wheelchair Requirements

Athletes with wheelchairs are welcome to participate in the Marathon, Half Marathon and 8KM.

For safety reasons, acceptable wheelchairs are as follows:

• Marathon: Racing wheelchairs, Sport Chairs
• Half Marathon: Racing wheelchairs, Sport Chairs
• 8KM: Racing wheelchairs, Power Chairs, Sport Chairs

For safety considerations, hand cycles are not permitted in any event.

The first 4KM of the Half Marathon course is downhill and requires wheelchairs to be in full control. Similarly, there are downhill sections for the Marathon. For individuals being pushed in a wheelchair, the runner must be tethered to the chair on their body or wrist/arm, have brakes on the chair and ensure the wheelchair does not leave their company for the duration of the event. Any participants wishing to push a wheelchair must receive race official approval first.

Start Line

For both the Marathon, Half Marathon and 8KM events, wheelchair participants are to start in the second corral. Note these events have different Start Lines.

Please indicate that you would like to register as a wheelchair athlete in the registration form and by emailing [email protected] or by calling 604 872 2928. Arrangements may be made to transport a participant’s non-racing wheelchair to the Finish Line if requested.

All wheelchair participants must submit a picture of their wheelchair for approval.

The Vancouver International Marathon Society reserves the right at any time to revoke the privilege of participants if a safety risk is determined. Thank you for understanding and cooperation.

Visually Impaired

Persons with visual impairment or low-vision are welcome to participate with a guide. Please indicate in the registration form that you are participating with a guide and if you’d like help finding a guide, please contact: [email protected]

RULES OF COMPETITION

For virtual races. A virtual race allows you to complete your race on your own, from anywhere. You may run, walk or stroll your race distance at your own pace and at a time and location of your choice. You may choose your own race day and your own starting line, whether it’s a treadmill, a park, your neighbourhood streets or Seawall.

For in-person events

• Participants must stay within course boundaries, as designated by officials, marshals  traffic cones, barriers, and other markings, at all times. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and ineligibility for future BMO Vancouver Marathon events.
• Participant bib numbers must be fully visible at all times on the front of the body. Bibs worn on the leg or back of the shirt, or if covered by clothing, such as a jacket, may not record the timing device properly.
• Participants are advised not to invite anyone not officially registered for the event to join in any part of the race. Any runners not officially registered for the event will be given one warning before the Police will be advised, and the runner will be removed from the course.
• Age group winners who are not valid or running under another bib, will be required to return any awards.
• The Society reserves the right to disqualify any individual from the BMO Vancouver Marathon event. This disqualification may be based on, but is not limited to, all race policies; unsportsmanlike conduct; competing with an unofficial bib number; competing with a bib number assigned to another race distance within the event; competing with an official bib number assigned to another person; transferring or attempting to transfer an official bib number, or to obtain such bib number, from another person; being paced during the race by a person not entered in the race; accepting assistance from non-race participants; crossing the finish line without having completed the entire course; and providing false information on the race entry form. Individuals disqualified from a race will be removed from the race results and may be barred from future events.

Code of Conduct

In registering as a participant in an event held by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, the registrant agrees to take part in a spirit of fair play, honesty and integrity within the rules and regulations as stated under all Event Policies.

To make the most out of your race day experience, please also take a moment to familiarize yourself with the below race etiquette points.

Before Race Day:

• Read the website and all race related emails.
• Complete the registration form thoroughly and provide correct information.
• Know your Package Pick Up location, dates and times.
• Double-check all information on your Bib before your race so you have time to
  correct any potential errors such as age, gender, etc.
• Remember to thank the volunteers!

Race Day:

• Be Prepared. Have all your race clothing and gear the day before.
• Arrive early, approximately one hour before your race start time.
• Wear your Bib number on the front and do not cover.
• Pay attention to all race announcements.
• Follow all instructions and signs from race officials and volunteers.
• Use washrooms and portables provided at the race venue.
• Use garbage/recycling receptacles provided at the start/finish and on course. Do not litter!
• Line up in the corral that matches your pace. Allow faster participants to line up at the front.
• Stay to the right on the race course unless you are passing.
• Run or walk no more than two abreast.
• Pass on the left and indicate with verbal cues to others around you.
• Do not come to a dead stop. Move to the side if you need to stop.
• Discard clothing responsibly at the start on the fencing within the chute or leave with a friend. Do not drop garments on the ground or throw them at aid stations.
• Move to the side of the road if you need to spit or blow your nose.
• Yield to emergency vehicles if necessary.
• Move to the side when approaching an aid station. Do not block the table.
• Run through the finish. Keep moving through the finish area so as not to impede others.
• Thank volunteers!

It is the RUNVAN® Mission to deliver premiere running events that inspire active lifestyles and invite the world to experience Vancouver! Please share any comments or feedback with the RUNVAN race staff to: [email protected]

RACE RESULTS POLICY

VALIDATION OF RACE RESULTS

For virtual races. Results are not validated and will be posted based on an honour system.

For in-person events. It is the responsibility of each runner (“Runner”) to use the chip timing device (“Chip”) appropriately.  Bibs should be stored flat without folds and worn on the front of the shirt for accurate timing and results. The Bib contains the timing device and any misuse of the bib may interfere with the effectiveness of the chip.

To maintain the integrity of race results for the event, race results for any particular runner maybe invalid in the circumstances following:

• Where (Chip) times at specific locations, have not been recorded (despite both start and finish (Chip) times having been recorded);
• Where (i) (Chip) times at specific locations, have not been recorded, and (ii) there is a negative split time between the first half of the event and the second half of the event exceeding 15 minutes.
• In such other circumstances, where a result is questionable as determined by the sole and exclusive decision of the race directors of the Vancouver International Marathon Society (“Society”).

In the event a Runner’s time has not been validated in the circumstances described above, the Runner may appeal the non-validation of the runner’s time by requesting, in writing, that the Society review the validation of the runner’s time. Such review will be based on the written explanation of the runner and a review of the cameras (film and photo) commissioned by the Society during the race. All decisions by the Society as to any such appeal are final.

The Society reserves the right to forward notice of all results that have not been validated to BC Athletics, Athletics Canada, or such other race governing organizations as appropriate.

RACE AWARDS

GUN TIME VS CHIP TIME

The BMO Vancouver Marathon bases overall results on Gun Time. Gun Time is the time from the start of the race gun to when you cross the Finish Line as per IAAF, Athletics Canada, USATF, and International Awards standards. Chip Time is the time recorded by the BibTag Timing Chip from the Start Line to the Finish Line.

Gun Time is the official time for all Elite Athletes and Masters Elite Athletes and thus determines the top OVERALL champions by race distance. Chip Time will be the official time for all other runners, including Age Group winners for men, women and non-binary. Elite Athletes are also included in Age Group rankings.

VALIDATION OF RACE RESULTS POLICY

It is the responsibility of each runner (“Runner”) to properly place the chip timing device (“Chip”) appropriately. The timing chip is embedded in the runners Bib. The Bib must be worn on the front of the runners’ shirt to work properly. When worn other than the front of the shirt, timing may not be captured.

Event Maps

Note: Maps are for reference only. If you are running the Virtual Race, please choose your own route that is pedestrian friendly. Use caution if running outside, and be alert of pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Please also be respectful of safety concerns and follow the lead of your local health authorities.