Vancouver’s Father’s Day Walk Run for Prostate Cancer is a fundraising event that takes place in Burnaby on the Sunday of the Father’s Day Weekend.

The Father’s Day Walk Run for Prostate Cancer happens in Burnaby as well as in Kamloops. You can also do the run “virtually” from anywhere in Canada. In 2024 the event in Metro Vancouver happened at Burnaby Lake Park on June 16th. In 2025 it happens on Sunday, June 15th.

For the event’s official website, and to register or donate, visit thefathersdayrun.ca.

Father’s Day Walk Run for Prostate Cancer in Burnaby

The Father’s Day Walk Run is an annual event in BC that is now making an impact across the country. Every year the Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada (formerly the Prostate Cancer Foundation BC) hosts a morning of people running and walking for a good cause.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in Canada. About one in eight men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. The good news is that if the disease is caught early, it’s very treatable. And events like the Father’s Day Walk Run help raise important funds to go towards the fight against prostate cancer! The event also raises awareness, and reminds people about the importance of early detection and getting checked.

The main walk and run event takes place in Burnaby on Father’s Day, which, in 2024, was on June 16th. There is also a version of the event run by the same foundation happening on the same day in Kamloops, BC. As well, there is the virtual walk and run which can be done from anywhere in Canada.

To learn more, register or donate, see the Father’s Day Run website.

Father's Day Run For Prostate Cancer — Father’s Day Run Warm-Up

2024 Registration

Online registration for this year’s event closed on June 13th. Participants, though, could still register the day of the event if they showed up at the park ready to run!

There are a couple of different ways to register for the event. You can either pay $50 yourself (if you’re 13 years of age or older) or commit to raising $125 for the foundation instead. Of course, those who pay the $50 fee are encouraged to raise money as well!

Children ages 8 to 12 cost just $15 to register. Those younger than that run for free! Everyone who participates gets a free lunch after completing the event. Those aged 13 and up also get a commemorative shirt.

Schedule of Events

There are four different courses at the Father’s Day Walk Run. There’s the Tot Run which is a mini race designed for children under the age of 8. Then there’s the two-kilometre stroll, the five-kilometre walk and the 10-kilometre run. The run is the only course that’s timed (but it’s not meant to be a competition. It’s more a chance for everyone to do their best and have a good time).

After everyone is done their race there are burgers to be had, awards given out and live entertainment to enjoy. The full schedule for 2024 was as follows.

8:15 am – Registration and check-in
9:30 am – Tot Run
10:00 am – 10 km run begins
10:05 am – 5 km walk begins
10:10 am – 2 km stroll begins
11:00 am – lunch, awards and entertainment

The Virtual Event

Anyone in Canada can take part in the Father’s Day Walk Run, regardless of where they live. People who want to participate virtually pay a $35 fee to sign up and take part. With that they receive both a shirt and a bingo card.

Those who complete the tasks on the bingo card are entered into a draw to win prizes! The draw in 2024 took place on June 19th.

To learn more, check out the Father’s Day Walk Run website.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada

The Prostate Cancer Foundation BC was founded in 1997. The non-profit organization continues to be powered by volunteers today. (There are only five paid staff members!) Its impact, however, has grown over the decades. That’s shown by the decision to change the name of the organization to Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada in 2023, in recognition of its now-national reach!

The organization has hosted the Father’s Day Walk Run every year since 1998. The event has raised over $4.5 million since its inception for prostate cancer research and support for those fighting the disease.

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men. It’s highly treatable, however, when diagnosed early. As many as 20% of males will be diagnosed with the disease over the course of their lives!

Prostate cancer is also the third most common cause of cancer death in men. Only lung cancer and colorectal cancer death rates are higher. As many as four percent of men will likely die from prostate cancer. That’s a big number when you consider all the many ways you can die, including by other cancers, heart disease, accidents and other causes. Early detection of prostate cancer, however, is key! If you are a man over the age of 50, be sure to get checked regularly by your doctor.