Every visitor to Vancouver’s Stanley Park seawall has seen it: the remarkable, 9-foot bronze sculpture of an athlete in his prime, his perfected runner form giving the illusion that he may burst off the pedestal.
The impressive memorial statue is a monument of Harry Jerome, the Canadian runner who set a total of seven world records. A Vancouver athlete, primarily known for his achievements in track and field, Harry Jerome was also recognized for his exceptional efforts to encourage young Canadians to achieve their dreams.
Harry was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame and received many tributes over the years, an example being the Harry Jerome Track Classic – a prestigious event held annually in Vancouver in Harry’s honour. In addition to winning gold at both the Commonwealth and Pan Am games in the 1960’s, Harry was the only athlete to own both the 100 yard and 100 meter dash world record simultaneously.
With all four BMO Vancouver Marathon courses passing by this iconic landmark, the statue represents the love of running, the courage of competition, and camaraderie in the Vancouver running community. It also speaks to the value that the Vancouver Marathon places on living a healthy and active lifestyle. Harry remains a mentor and inspiration to every type of runner and symbolizes the tenacity that all athletes experience in achieving their goals.