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.

Sponsored by PH&N Investment Services, the race is a fundraising event where money raised benefits the Greater Vancouver Food Bank (GVFB). In 2024 the race takes place on Friday, June 14th (which is just a couple of days before Father’s Day).

For the event’s official website, visit thunderbirdstrack.org.

Note: A couple of other fundraising events in June are the GearUp4CF cycling event, which benefits Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and the Father’s Day Run/Walk for Prostate Cancer. In 2024 these two other events take place on June 15th and June 16th respectively. There is another fundraising event for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank too. Foodstock is a music festival benefiting the GVFB on June 23rd in Burnaby.

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, folks who register for the longer distances receive a race bib and other bonus items. This year, the first 1,200 people to pick up their race packages receive a free waist bag.

The top three runners in the 5 km and 10 km runs receive awards. Gift cards are also distributed to the top runners in select age groups. For other folks who want a chance at winning valuable prizes, anyone who donates at least $20 to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank is entered into multiple draws.

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. Alcoholic beverages cost extra.

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 before summer solstice, so a few days before June 20th or 21st. In 2024, the event takes place on Friday, June 14th.

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

Race packages for the 5 km and 10 km runs are available for pickup 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 year all start and finish at the same two locations. The start line is located near the intersection of East Mall and Stadium Road. The finish line, meanwhile, is 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 5 km and 10 km 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 5 km race ends there. The 10 km race, however, requires a second lap of the same route. (Note: Exact details about the routes may change.)

For a diagram of this year’s routes, click 2024 Course Map.

Registration Prices

Prices to participate in the 5 km and 1o km runs are the same, but the kids’ run costs less. Below are the registration fees for each run in 2024. Additional food vouchers cost $15.