TravelSmart to the BMO Vancouver Marathon
Canada Line to operate with peak services levels until 8:15am on Sunday, May 1, 2016
Vancouver, BC – April 28, 2016 –
Over 16,000 runners, 4,000 volunteers, and thousands of spectators will enjoy the 2016 BMO Vancouver Marathon weekend. With the large amount of runners and enthusiastic crowds anticipated, especially for the marathon races on Sunday, May 1, 2016, attendees and residents are encouraged to plan ahead and TravelSmart to the BMO Vancouver Marathon.
Cheer thousands of runners as they race through 12 neighbourhoods to a shared downtown Finish Line and Street Festival. Cash prizes will be awarded to fans who cheer and show spirit!
“Spectators are encouraged to dress-up, prepare signs, and animate their neighbourhoods to show our “red mitten” spirit to runners from over 60 countries,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, organizers of the event. “Hashtag your pictures #RunVanFan on social media to win cash prizes!”
Canada Line is one of the most convenient ways to get to the race with peak service levels in effect until 8:15am. Peak service has trains available every 6-7 minutes. Please note, however, the Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay and 8KM races all have slightly different TravelSmart options to get to the Start Line.
| Race | Travel to: | From the station: | Start Line | Race Start |
| Half Marathon | Canada Line:
King Edward Station** |
From King Edward Station walk to the Start Line | Queen Elizabeth Park (Midlothian Avenue, near Hillcrest Community Centre) | 7:00am |
| Marathon | Canada Line:
Oakridge 41st Station** |
From Oakridge-41st Station walk to the Start Line | Queen Elizabeth Park (Midlothian Avenue, near Hillcrest Community Centre) | 8:30am |
| Relay | Canada Line:
Oakridge 41st Station |
Leg A runners will walk to the Start Line, while Leg B, C, and D runners will be shuttled to their Relay Exchange Zones* from Oakridge-41st at staggered departure times. | Queen Elizabeth Park (Midlothian Avenue, near Hillcrest Community Centre). With legs B,C and D at other starting points. | 8:30am |
| 8KM | Expo/Millenium Line:
Burrard Street Station |
From Burrard Station runners should walk to the 8KM Gear Check and 8KM Shuttle located on Burrard St. near Pender. | Stanley Park (Lagoon Drive, between the Fish House Restaurant and the Stanley Park Pitch and Putt near Ceperley Park) | 9:30am |
| Finish Line Street Festival | Expo/Millenium & Canada Line:
Burrard or Waterfront Stations |
From downtown Vancouver, walk to the Finish Line located on West Pender Street between Bute and Thurlow. There is also a Street Festival on West Hastings Street between Bute and Burrard. Join the festivities from 8:30am-2:30pm. | ||
*Relay Exchange Zones are located near Imperial Drive and W 16th, NW Marine and 4th Ave, plus Chestnut and Cornwall.
The non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society, organizers of the event, is offering free, single use Compass ticket to all runners. In addition, free TravelSmart Bus Shuttles are available in five locations for registered Marathon and Half Marathon runners.**Runners also have the option to catch shuttles to the Start Line direct from TransLink Bus Bays in North Vancouver, Coquitlam, Burnaby North and South and Surrey.
Event organizers will have signage and volunteers to direct runners, volunteers and fans, to the various Start Lines and shared downtown Finish Line.
At West Hastings and Bute Street near the Finish Line Street Festival, there is also a free bike valet that anyone may utilize from 6am-5pm on Sunday, May 1.
“Locals should anticipate crowds and road closures. “We encourage residents to plan ahead and embrace this internationally recognized race weekend. Join in – and cheer!” concludes Krepiakevich.
Find more event info, race details, and road closure information online at bmovanmarathon.ca/travelsmart