Scotiabank Half Marathon Runners

Vancouver is host to a number of running races each year, including major ones like the BMO Marathon, Scotiabank Half Marathon and 10K Vancouver Sun Run.

There is also the Big Fun Run series of runs as well as the Try Events series of races.

Running events in early 2023 include the Fort Langley Historic Half (on February 19th), Vancouver Hot Chocolate Run (on March 4th), and Big Jungle Run (on March 25th).

See below for details about all of these and other races.

Marathons, Half Marathons, 10K and 5K Runs

Below is a calendar list of the city’s main running races. Some are huge events, like those mentioned above. The popular races can attract tens of thousands of participants and just as many spectators.

Other races in our list are smaller and limited to only a couple of hundred entries. Some are along level urban streets and others are up rugged trails through the mountains.

In short, there’s something for everyone (except for people who simply don’t like running!).

January Vancouver Runs

Vancouver Chilly Chase – 5K, 10K, 15K and half marathon routes in late January around False Creek (January 22, 2023).

February Vancouver Runs

Fort Langley Historic Half – a 5K, 10K, half marathon and kids race run in mid-February (February 19, 2023).

March Vancouver Runs

Big Jungle Run – a new event in the Lower Mainland (as of 2022), this is a family-friendly “fun run” that happens at Burnaby Lake Park.
St. Patrick’s Day 5K Run – a colourfully green race around Stanley Park on a weekend around March 17th. Costumes are highly encouraged for this holiday-themed race.
Vancouver’s Hot Chocolate Run – run, jog or walk 5K, 10K or FunK (0.6km) at Stanley Park.
Shamrock’n Race – 5K, 7 miler and half marathon running races around Burnaby Lake in mid-March.

St. Patrick's Race Crowds in Stanley Park — St. Patrick’s Day Run in Stanley Park

April Vancouver Runs

Big Easter Run – a fun, social and family-friendly Easter-themed running event at Jericho Beach. It happens on the Easter Long Weekend (which is sometimes in March but more often in April).
Up the Creek Run – in late April there is a 5K, 10K and 500m Kids’ Run. The trail starts at the Hyde Creek Rec Centre in Port Coquitlam. Cost is $40 , but free for children participating in the kids run.
Vancouver Sun Run – one of the world’s largest 10 km runs takes place in mid-April. During the run, you get to see much of downtown Vancouver including English Bay and False Creek. There are thousands of people ready to cheer you on at different places throughout the racecourse.

May Vancouver Runs

Vancouver International Marathon – one of Vancouver’s biggest marathons. The run takes place in early May and starts at Queen Elizabeth Park. There is also a half marathon, an 8K and a 2.5K kids run.
5 Peaks Golden Ears Race – this is the second of five events in the 5 Peaks series. The race includes an 8K Sports Course,12.8K Enduro Course, 1K Children’s Challenge and 3K Timed Kids’ Race at Golden Ears Provincial Park.
Survival of the Fittest – grueling but spectacularly scenic 18K and 35K runs. Both begin on the lands of Quest University in Squamish. Race capacity: ~250 runners. The event sold out for 2023.
5K Foam Fest – a running race that includes obstacle-course elements and lots of foam in late May.

June Vancouver Runs

Father’s Day Walk/Run – 2K, 5K and 10K strolls, walks and runs around Burnaby Lake benefiting the BC Prostate Cancer Foundation on Father’s Day Weekend. The event takes place on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
Scotiabank Half Marathon – a major 5K and half-marathon race in late June.
RBC Run for the Kids – 2 and 5 km fundraising runs benefiting the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. The race takes place Sunday, June 11, 2023.
Longest Day Road Race – a run benefitting the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. It takes place at UBC on June 16 in 2023.
Seek the Peak – a race from Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver up to Grouse Mountain on June 10 in 2023.

Scotiabank Half Marathon Start — Scotiabank Half Marathon

July Vancouver Runs

5 Peaks Cypress Mountain Race – the third of five events in the 5 Peaks series, with a 5.3K Sports Course, 9K Enduro Course, 1K Children’s Challenge and 3K Timed Kids’ Race on July 22 at Cypress Provincial Park.
Knee Knackering North Shore Trail Run – a 30-mile trail run recognized by Running Wild magazine as one of 25 most challenging races on the continent. The run usually goes from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove along the North Shore’s Baden-Powell Centennial Trail and climbs some 8,000 feet along the way. Just over 250 runners participate and are selected by lottery. The run takes place on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
Bucking Hell – brutal but beautiful 35K, 50K and 2-person 50K relay running races through the North Shore mountain trails beginning and ending in Deep Cove.
Vancouver Pride Run – a running event that’s part of the Vancouver Pride Festival and for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone who wants to join.

August Vancouver Runs

Big Superhero Run – a family-friendly running event in Richmond. It’s part of the Big Fun Run Series and starts at the Olympic Oval.
5 Peaks Whistler Blackcomb Race – the fourth of five events in the 5 Peaks series, with a 6.K Sports Course, 9.9K Enduro Course, 1K Children’s Challenge and 3K Timed Kids’ Race at Whistler-Blackcomb.
SeaWheeze Half Marathon – a 21.1K run from the waterfront by the Convention Centre, through downtown Vancouver, along the False Creek seawall, over the Burrard Street Bridge twice, through the West End, around Stanley Park and then back to the start. The cost includes access to the Sunset Festival in the evening at Stanley Park.

September Vancouver Runs

Big Pirate Run – a family-friendly running event at Gary Point Park in Richmond.
Coho Run – a 14K run ending at the annual Coho Festival at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver.
Run for Women – a 5K walk/run, 10K walk/run and 1K Little Steps run for kids benefiting the BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre Foundation at UBC’s Wesbrook Village. The run takes place on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
Terry Fox Runs – fundraising run with multiple venues around the Lower Mainland including at Stanley Park.

Runners on Stanley Park Seawall — Second Beach at Stanley Park

October Vancouver Runs

Rubber Ducky Race – 5 km, 7 mile and half marathon races at Burnaby Lake Regional Park.
Granville Island Turkey Trot – a 10 km Thanksgiving run, walk or stroll on Granville Island. A 1.1 km Turkey Trot Kids Run also takes place around the same time.
Diez Vista 50 Km Trail Run – a 50-km run for up to 200 participants through rugged forested trails in Belcarra Regional Park. The race takes place on Saturday, April 8, 2023.
5 Peaks Mt. Seymour Race – the fifth and last of the five events in the 5 Peaks series, with a 1K and 3K Kid’s Run, 5.8K Sport and 10.6K Enduro. The 3K Kid’s Run is a timed race at Mount Seymour Provincial Park at 1700 Mount Seymour Road. The race is run on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
Hallow’s Eve Trail Race – 10K, half and full marathon rough terrain trail races on Saturday, October 28 in North Vancouver. Costumes are encouraged.
Run Ridge Run – 13K, 25K and Kid’s Race runs at Belcarra Regional Park by both Sasamat Lake and Buntzen Lake. The participant capacity is just 225. The 1K Kid’s Race is free to register. The run takes place on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

November Vancouver Runs

Boundary Bay Marathon – a 5K, 10K, half marathon, Boston-qualifying marathon and 4-person marathon relay starting at Boundary Bay Park’s Centennial Beach.
The Great Trek – a 5K, 10K and half marathon at UBC (and formerly called the Fall Classic).
The Phantom Run Trail Race – 12 km, 19.5 km and 25 km trail runs starting at North Vancouver’s Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve. The race is run on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
Vancouver Historic Half – a 5K, 10K, half marathon and half marathon relay around Stanley Park’s seawall.
Vancouver Undie Run – an unconventional 2 to 3-km run where participants run in their underwear to raise money and awareness about cancer and other men’s health issues as part of Movember.

December Vancouver Runs

Santa Shuffle – a 5K Fun Run and 1K Elf Walk at Stanley Park with proceeds going to the Salvation Army.
Big Elf Run – a fun running event where participants get a complimentary elf toque! The event includes 1 km, 5 km, 10 km and 15 km routes.