Royal Victoria Marathon 2026

The Royal Victoria Marathon takes place on Thanksgiving weekend in Victoria, British Columbia. It offers five race options: a marathon, half marathon, 8K, 5K, and a kids run, attracting over 15,000 participants. The marathon, half marathon, and 8K begin and end in the Inner Harbour. The 5K and kids run are held at Willows Beach Park in Oak Bay. The marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and the event is sanctioned by World Athletics. The course winds through Victoria and Oak Bay along quiet streets with ocean vistas, giving it a coastal feel despite the downtown start for the main races. Participants include local runners, visitors from across Canada, international competitors, elite athletes, first-time runners, and those aiming for personal bests. The race was known as the Royal Victoria Marathon for 31 years, experienced a period with different title sponsors, and later reverted to its original name. Organizers state it was developed by runners for runners, and some distances have previously sold out.