From saving lives to changing their own, athletes bring powerful stories to the streets of Vancouver, BC.
Fans, you’ll be cheering for more than just finish times on the first Sunday of May.
The former Minister of National Defence. An RCMP officer. A paramedic. A firefighter. A nurse. A comeback story.
This is race weekend.
Everyday heroes and extraordinary journeys are lining up at the start.
Here’s some more fun stories to watch for between the BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon.
- The Former Minister of National Defence returns, Harjit Sajjan
- An RCMP officer serving Northern Canada, Ryan Gonzales
- A BC Air Ambulance Paramedic, Andrei Axenov
- A Toronto Firefigher, Isam Mohammad Sharif
- A Labour & Delivery Nurse who has helped deliver 1,500 babies, Sammer Khyabani
- And transformation stories, like a former 300 lb drug addict turned marathoner, John Hebein‑Caunce
Watch these stories unfold.
No matter your background, the BMO Vancouver Marathon welcomes you! 🏃♀️🔥
From world stages to the Start Line – every journey looks a little different, but the courage to begin is the same.
The great thing about running is it welcomes athletes from across all sports and sectors.
- A 2025 BC SwimRun Champion in Heather Bordignon
- A former Team Canada bobsled athlete turned Olympic coach for Team Nigeria, Kori Hol
- An Olympic diver running just for the joy of it, Celina Toth.
- A Canadian national field hockey player chasing a new challenge, Imannjit Sahota.
- Plus, Buck Pierce, the current BC Lions Head Coach.
Sunday, May 3, 2026, join the City in cheering on another record number of BMO Vancouver Marathon athletes!
How many marathons have you run? The BMO Vancouver Marathon also welcomes lots of first-timers and Marathon Maniacs.
From first-timers to 100+ finishers — where do you fit?
This year, in the group who’ve finished over 100 Marathons, are BC natives Jon Mahoney, Peter Van Diepen and David England, while Laurence Roberts from Victoria, BC, is set to complete is first Marathon at age 77.
RUNVAN also hosts the Legacy Club for runners who have completed 15+, 20+ and 25+ BMO Vancouver Marathon events!
Thanks to the community and all of the event volunteers for supporting one another.
- James Kwinecki and guide Monish Mannoe from Victoria ran a 3:35:51 Marathon last year
- Ricahrd Holloway, 62, will race the Half Marathon this year with a volunteer guide
- Yuka Aoyama from Japan, who has won Paralympics Medals as a Marathon blind guide runner, is seeking a 2:46:20 here
- Atheena Quilal‑lan from New West is racing with 1.3 lungs
- Julie Anne Tumilba, and Whitney Cross, paralyzed in 2023 from Guillain‑Barré syndrome, will also race
- Emily Anne York from Kamloops, BC, 32, will chase her first Marathon after dropping 100 lbs
So many incredible stories to share. Be there to enjoy the moments!
Because this race isn’t just about finishing, it’s about who you share it with.
Over the years the BMO Vancouver Marathon has seen baby announcements, wedding proposals, and even a Marriage mid-Marathon.
Here’s some more family and fun stories:
- Magdalena, 41, ran the full prior and is now jouned by daughter Vanessa Slapinski, 18, for her first Half Marathon
- Daniel & Kilseong Sung, 20 and 52, join from Nanaimo, BC, will race as a father and son duo chasing the Marathon finish
- Jessica Anderson and Family are visiting from Alberta to join Canada’s Top Destination Race
- Rossana Ayala is a sport journalist from Mexico is returning to run and write about the race
- Welcome as well to Ibon Hernandez from Mexico, racing with a group of 10+ as part of a bachelorette party!
This event is about community and connection, and we love that we’re all part of a bigger family.
Lots of fun stories evolve from the Marathon. With such milestone accomplishments also comes big announcements!
This year, keep an eye out for more unexpected, life-changing moments!