Longest Day Road Race

The Longest Day Road Race is a Vancouver running event with three races, live music, a barbecue and other outdoor activities at UBC in June.

The race is a fundraising event where money raised benefits the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB). In 2025 the race took place on Friday, June 13th (which was just a couple of days before Father’s Day). Organizers will likely hold next year’s event again in June, though they still need to confirm the exact details.

Note: A couple of other fundraising events in June are the Father’s Day Run/Walk for Prostate Cancer and the GearUp4CF cycling event which benefits Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In 2025 these two other events took place on June 15th and June 21st respectively.

Vancouver’s Longest Day Road Race

The Longest Day Road Race is an annual event full of fun for all ages. It features three different runs and lots of post-party celebrations at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Presented by the Vancouver Thunderbirds and the City of Vancouver, the event has timed 5 km and 10 km runs as well as a one mile run designed specifically for kids.

Participation in the kids’ race comes with a goodie bag, personalized number to wear, and access to a special play area and party. Meanwhile, people who register for the longer distances receive a race bib and other bonus items. This past year, the first 1,200 people who picked up their race packages received a free pair of custom athletic socks.

The top three runners in the 5 km and 10 km runs receive awards. Organizers also distribute gift cards to the top runners in select age groups. Others who donate at least $50 to the GVFB are entered into multiple draws for a chance to win valuable prizes.

After the runs are complete, everyone makes their way to the Thunderbird Stadium Concourse for the post-run barbecue party. The party features live music, a beer garden and, of course, plenty of barbecue. All participants receive a meal that includes hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, pies and juice. There are vegetarian options too. Alcoholic beverages cost extra.

Longest Day Road Race Starting Line

When and Where

As its name implies, the Longest Day Road Race takes place close to the longest day of the year. It usually happens on the Friday close to the summer solstice. In 2025, the event took place on Friday, June 13th.

The kids’ run starts at 6:30 pm, the 5K run begins at 6:45 pm, and the 10K race starts at 7:00 pm.

In 2025, race packages for the 5K and 10K runs could be picked up at Forerunners located at 3502 West 4th Avenue. Race packages can also be picked up on the day of the run at Thunderbird Stadium on the UBC campus.

All runs during the Longest Day Road Race are held outdoors at UBC. The three different runs this past year all started and finished at the same two locations. The start line was located near the intersection of East Mall and Stadium Road. The finish line, meanwhile, was about one block away at the Thunderbird Stadium Parking Lot.

Race Running Routes

From the start line, all running routes go south, turn right on West 16th Avenue, right on SW Marine Drive and then right onto Stadium Road. As everyone approaches Thunderbird Stadium, the kids turn right into the parking lot and cross the finish line there. However, the 5K and 10K routes turn left at West Mall.

The longer routes continue before turning right onto Stores Road, left on Main Mall, and right on Memorial Road. Then, the routes turn right on East Mall, right on Agricultural Road and then left at Main Mall. From there, runners run south all the way back to the finish line. The 5K race ends there. The 10K race, however, requires a second lap of the same route.

Click Course Map for a diagram of the 2025 route.

Registration Prices

Prices to participate in the 5K and 10K runs are the same, but the kids’ run costs less. Below were the registration fees for each run in 2025. These fees will likely be similar in 2026, with details to be confirmed.