Vancouver Marathon
Encyclopedia
The BMO Vancouver Marathon is an annual race held on the first Sunday of May each year in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
. As the 2nd largest international marathon event in Canada, it has a certified running distance of 26 miles and 385 yards long. The most recent marathon saw over 14,000 people participate on May 2, 2010. This marathon is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations
& Association of International Marathons and Distance Races as a qualifying marathon race.
The race started in 1972 when a small group of 46 runners ran five loops of Stanley Park
to complete the first Vancouver International Marathon (known as Lions Gate Road Runners International Marathon). The marathon grew over the next few years to 300 participants in 1977. However the event suffered a major setback in 1976 when a participant, Dr. Leslie Truelove, collapsed mid-race and died due to aneurysm
. In Truelove's memory, the Dr. Leslie Truelove Memorial Trophy has been awarded ever since to the first male finisher in the 50+ age category.
The 1983 race became known as the "Long Marathon" after runners were misdirected during its running — adding an extra 561 yards to the race.
Currently, several different options are available for participants:
Its current title sponsor is the BMO Bank of Montreal thus the marathon is known as BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon. Previous title sponsor was Adidas
in 2001-2005, known as the Adidas Vancouver International Marathon.
, and managed by an Event Management Company.
Each year, VIMS recruit volunteers to help with pre-race preparations and race day operation. In total, about 1800 volunteers help to run the marathon smoothly. Volunteers help in areas such as water stations, medical stations, set-up/take down, food services, given out shirts & medals to runners.
The award ceremony are held on race day. Cash prizes will be presented to the top three male and female full and half marathon runners while merchandise will be awarded to the fastest relay team.
HALF MARATHON
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. As the 2nd largest international marathon event in Canada, it has a certified running distance of 26 miles and 385 yards long. The most recent marathon saw over 14,000 people participate on May 2, 2010. This marathon is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations
International Association of Athletics Federations
The International Association of Athletics Federations is the international governing body for the sport of athletics. It was founded in 1912 at its first congress in Stockholm, Sweden by representatives from 17 national athletics federations as the International Amateur Athletics Federation...
& Association of International Marathons and Distance Races as a qualifying marathon race.
The race started in 1972 when a small group of 46 runners ran five loops of Stanley Park
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is a 404.9 hectare urban park bordering downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was opened in 1888 by David Oppenheimer in the name of Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor-General of Canada....
to complete the first Vancouver International Marathon (known as Lions Gate Road Runners International Marathon). The marathon grew over the next few years to 300 participants in 1977. However the event suffered a major setback in 1976 when a participant, Dr. Leslie Truelove, collapsed mid-race and died due to aneurysm
Aneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
. In Truelove's memory, the Dr. Leslie Truelove Memorial Trophy has been awarded ever since to the first male finisher in the 50+ age category.
The 1983 race became known as the "Long Marathon" after runners were misdirected during its running — adding an extra 561 yards to the race.
Currently, several different options are available for participants:
- Full Marathon (a Boston MarathonBoston MarathonThe Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
qualifying event) – 42 km - Marathon walkers – 42 km
- Wheelchair full marathon - 42 km
- Nordic Pole Walkers – 42 km
- Half MarathonHalf marathonA half marathon is a road running event of . It is half the distance of a marathon and usually run on roads. Participation in half marathons has grown steadily recently. One of the main reasons for this is that it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a...
– 21 km - 8 km Course
- Kids Marafun – 1 km
Its current title sponsor is the BMO Bank of Montreal thus the marathon is known as BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon. Previous title sponsor was Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
in 2001-2005, known as the Adidas Vancouver International Marathon.
Organization
The event is hosted by the Vancouver International Marathon Society (VIMS), a non-profit organization run by a volunteer Board of DirectorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
, and managed by an Event Management Company.
Each year, VIMS recruit volunteers to help with pre-race preparations and race day operation. In total, about 1800 volunteers help to run the marathon smoothly. Volunteers help in areas such as water stations, medical stations, set-up/take down, food services, given out shirts & medals to runners.
Event details
A free Friendship Run is held during the race week for those who wish to participate. However, they must register separately with race official in order to take part in this event.Expo
The Marathon is kicked off by an Expo where runners to pick up their information packages and to receive promotional materials from various sponsors and athletic associations.Race Day
All participants start off using a staggered time system to ensure timing accuracy. Along the race course, various safety officials are on course, including paramedics and amateur radio operators from VECTOR (Vancouver Emergency Community Telecommunications Organization).The award ceremony are held on race day. Cash prizes will be presented to the top three male and female full and half marathon runners while merchandise will be awarded to the fastest relay team.
Past winners – Full marathon
| Year | Male winner | Female winner | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Tom Howard | 2:24:08 | Patricia Loveland | 3:39:23 | ||
| 1973 | Tom Howard | 2:21:46 | Deborah Collins | 3:24:39 | ||
| 1974 | Tom Howard | 2:14:34 | Maria Brzezinska | 3:03:15 | ||
| 1975 | Joe Skaja | 2:22:30 | Linda Winslow | 3:06:49 | ||
| 1976 | Ross Jackson | 2:22:30 | Doris Brown Heritage Doris Brown Heritage Doris Brown was born on September 17, 1942 in Tacoma, Washington.Brown went to Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Washington, graduating in 1960. She then attended Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington where she earned a B.A. in 1964 and a M.S. in 1971.In 1966, Brown became the first... |
2:47:34 | ||
| 1977 | Chris Bolter | 2:22:36 | Meg Gordon | 3:14:32 | ||
| 1978 | John Hill | 2:20:49 | Gail McKean | 2:55:33 | ||
| 1979 | Bill Scott | 2:15:56 | Gail McKean | 2:44:53 | ||
| 1980 | Garry Henry | 2:13:14 | Marilyn Belwood | 2:45:27 | ||
| 1981 | Brian Morgan | 2:19:42 | Nancy McLaren | 2:48:23 | ||
| 1982 | Steve Pomeroy | 2:16:56 | Sue Krenn | 2:45:25 | ||
| 1983 | Paul Bannon | 2:19:42 | Beverly Bush | 2:45:23 | ||
| 1984 | Ric Sayre | 2:16:34 | Carol Raven | 2:52:03 | ||
| 1985 | Adrian Wellington | 2:24:24 | Kikue Tejima | 2:55:32 | ||
| 1986 | Hiromi Nishi | 2:21:14 | Joi Belyk | 2:45:37 | ||
| 1987 | Tetsuji Iwase | 2:21:12 | Cathy Kroll | 2:46:50 | ||
| 1988 | Mitsumasa Matsuyama | 2:19:20 | Isabelle Dittberner | 2:50:33 | ||
| 1989 | Shem-Tov Sabag | 2:19:41 | Anne Mangal | 2:50:05 | ||
| 1990 | Yoshikazu Tanese | 2:23:47 | Reiko Hirosawa | 2:55:41 | ||
| 1991 | Shigemi Tamori | 2:25:01 | Misao Miyata | 2:52:14 | ||
| 1992 | Masato Kojima | 2:23:24 | Yuka Terumuma | 2:43:16 | ||
| 1993 | Hayashi Morozumi | 2:18:37 | Eniko Feher | 2:47:27 | ||
| 1994 | Makoto Sasaki | 2:17:24 | Eniko Feher | 2:46:24 | ||
| 1995 | Graciano Gonzalez | 2:23:11 | Yoko Okuda | 2:48:50 | ||
| 1996 | Juan Gonzalez | 2:17:47 | Eniko Feher | 2:52:38 | ||
| 1997 | Juan Gonzalez | 2:22:53 | Eniko Feher | 2:49:56 | ||
| 1998 | Juan Gonzalez | 2:22:48 | Krystina Pieczulis | 2:43:20 | ||
| 1999 | Atsunari Saito | 2:21:33 | Krystina Pieczulis | 2:43:46 | ||
| 2000 | Ulrich Steidl | 2:18:53 | Krystina Pieczulis | 2:45:32 | ||
| 2001 | Ulrich Steidl | 2:18:56 | Leteyesus Berehe | 2:45:51 | ||
| 2002 | Ulrich Steidl | 2:17:01 | Angela Strange | 2:45:46 | ||
| 2003 | Ulrich Steidl | 2:20:22 | Angela Strange | 2:46:22 | ||
| 2004 | Ulrich Steidl | 2:18:26 | Mary Akor | 2:44:43 | ||
| 2005 | Kassahun Kabiso | 2:15:40 | Rimma Dubovik | 2:44:05 | ||
| 2006 | Kassahun Kabiso | 2:18:28 | Malgorzata Sobanska | 2:37:06 | ||
| 2007 | Thomas Omwenga | 2:25:27 | Claudia Camargo | 2:35:50 | ||
| 2008 | Thomas Omwenga | 2:15:59 | Mary Akor | 2:37:54 | ||
| 2009 | Bernard Arasa Onsare | 2:28:26 | Mary Akor | 2:46:24 | ||
| 2010 | Thomas Omwenga | 2:16:55 | Emma Muthoni Kiruki | 2:37:17 | ||
| 2011 | Benard Arasa Onsare | 2:19:54 | Keddi-Anne Sherbino | 2:43:40 |
- Note: Bold face text denotes current course record holder.
Current World Records established at the Vancouver Marathon
MARATHON- May 1, 2005 BJ (BETTY JEAN) McHUGH of North Vancouver, BC Canada established a world W77 single age Marathon record with a time of 4:11:28
- May 3, 2009 GWEN McFARLAN of Richmond, BC, Canada established a World W75 age group Marathon record for and a W75 single age world record with a time of 3:57:30
HALF MARATHON
- May 4, 1997 BJ (BETTY JEAN) McHUGH of North Vancouver, BC Canada established a world W69 single age Half Marathon record with a time of 1:41:39
- May 4, 2008 BJ (BETTY JEAN) McHUGH of North Vancouver, Canada (Single age record for Women aged 80 years old, 2:04:19 Half Marathon)
- May 2, 2010 GWEN McFARLAN of Richmond, BC, Canada established a World W76 single age Half Marathon record a world record with a time of 1:52:23
- May 2, 2010 BJ (BETTY JEAN) McHUGH of North Vancouver, BC Canada established a W82 world single age Half Marathon record with a time of 2:23:08
Race Dates
The race is held on the first Sunday of May each year.- May 2, 2010 (39th)
- May 1, 2011 (40th)
- May 6, 2012 (41st)
- May 5, 2013 (42nd)