Symbolic 45KM race to celebrate the 45th year of the Vancouver Marathon
Organizer’s to feature new 45KM course on May 1, 2016
Vancouver, BC – April 1, 2016 –
To help celebrate the event’s 45th year, the BMO Vancouver Marathon is featuring a new 45KM course on May 1, 2016! Marathon runners will now run a celebratory 45KM, instead of the traditional 42.2KM marathon distance, with event organizer’s adding a loop around UBC Campus to extend the distance.
Organizers believe the new 45KM course is a great way to celebrate the rich history of Vancouver’s only marathon event, as well as the 100 year anniversary of UBC. The extra kilometres added to the marathon route will feature portions of the Fall Classic Run at UBC, another event organized by the non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society.
“This is a special, unique opportunity to honour the people who have supported this amazing event throughout its 45 years,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, organizers of the event.
Marathon runners will detour the award-winning course on NW Marine Drive just before the 18KM mark, and loop through the beautiful UBC Campus, before returning back to the world-renown 42.2KM course. Timing mats and signage will be placed at the detour locations to measure the additional 2.8KM distance with split times provided.
“We wanted to celebrate the 45th Vancouver Marathon in a special way and are happy to provide runners with this temporary, one-year course change,” says Krepiakevich. She notes the course change was relatively straight forward as it overlays on-top of portions of the Fall Classic, another race organized by the local non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society.
“The good thing is everyone who runs this new 45KM will likely achieve Personal Bests,” jokes Krepiakevich, as the new longer distance is different than the traditional 42.2KM distance marathons are known for. “Ultimately, this is a fun tribute to those athletes who started the event back in 1972.”
With the marquee marathon event nearly sold-out, runners are encouraged to sign-up quickly to ensure their opportunity to experience this once in a lifetime event.
For more information on the RUNVAN® Hat-trick, which includes the BMO Vancouver Marathon, Granville Island Turkey Trot and Fall Classic, please visit www.runvan.org.
Also – happy April Fools Day! This year’s BMO Vancouver Marathon will remain the traditional 42.2KM race. The race is a Boston Marathon qualifier.