BMO Vancouver Marathon
The BMO Vancouver Marathon takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the first Sunday of May. The full marathon covers the standard certified distance of 26 miles and 385 yards. This event offers multiple race options: a full marathon, half marathon, 8K, and a Kids Race. The full marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and the series ranks among Canada’s largest international marathon events. The race started in 1972 with 46 participants completing five loops of Stanley Park. It evolved from a small local marathon into a large city race supported by approximately 4,000 volunteers annually. The Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization with a volunteer board, manages the event, with BMO Bank of Montreal providing its current naming sponsorship. Race week features an Expo for packet pickup and a free Friendship Run. Race day includes staggered starts, on-course medical support, and amateur radio operators. A notable piece of race history is the “Long Marathon,” where participants inadvertently ran an extra 561 yards; another tradition is the Dr. Leslie Truelove Memorial Trophy, presented to the first male finisher over 50.
