Starting downtown and finishing at BC Place Stadium, the Vancouver Sun Run is a great 10 km running race for all skill levels.

The event attracts tens of thousands of runners each year, including pre-teens, senior citizens and elite athletes. In 2025 the race happened on Sunday, April 27th. The run happens again on Sunday, April 19th, 2026.

More great running events at other times of the year include the Big Easter Run in April, Big Jungle Run in May and Big Pirate Run in September. There’s also the Rubber Ducky Race in October and both the Boundary Bay Marathon and Vancouver Historic Half in November. There are lots of other great races too, including both the Vancouver International Marathon and Scotiabank Half Marathon.

See our article about Vancouver Running Races to learn about these and other similar events.

Continue reading to learn about the Vancouver Sun Run specifically.

This article contains the following information about the Vancouver Sun Run:

Race Details | Route | Sun Run Video | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Vancouver Sun 10K Race

Not only is the Vancouver Sun Run Canada’s most popular 10 km race, it’s also one of the world’s most beautiful.

The race starts downtown around the corner of Georgia and Burrard Streets. From there, runners heads towards Stanley Park, then turn up Denman Street before going into the park. Participants run along the edge of English Bay, cross the Burrard Street Bridge, head east and run the final stretch to the finish line by BC Place Stadium.

The views during the run are beautiful. Runners can feel inspired and push on when greeted with vistas of mountains, beaches, skyscrapers, bridges and the ocean. And if the Sun Run lives up to its name and happens under sunny skies, the views are spectacular.

The Vancouver Sun Run is a fun event for everyone – professional runners, joggers and walkers. There are world-class athletes competing as well as seniors, children and thousands of recreational runners. Some people even walk a chunk of the way. There’s even a race for people in wheelchairs!

Musicians along the route play upbeat music to motivate runners, and thousands of friends, supporters and other spectators line the route as well to cheer participants to the finish line.

Even if you aren’t a runner, head downtown anyway to cheer on your friends or other participants and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Race Details

The Vancouver Sun Run can be run as an individual 10 km road race or as part of a team of eight or more people. There’s also the Youth Team Challenge which is for groups of runners under the age of 19. Race day in 2026 is on Sunday, April 19th.

For those who want to take part in the Sun Run, but for a shorter distance, the EVA AIR Mini Run, which is 2.5 km, is also an option. This is open to all ages and isn’t timed.

After finishing, participants rest their tired legs at BC Place Stadium and enjoy free refreshments, live entertainment and an awards ceremony inside the stadium for the top finishers.

Race Day Schedule

The schedule of events for this year’s Vancouver Sun Run was as follows. 2026’s schedule will likely be similar, with details to be confirmed.

• 8:00 am – 2.5 km Mini Sun Run Start (outside of BC Place Stadium)
• 8:30 am – Vancouver Sun Run Post-Race Party Begins (by BC Place Stadium)
• 8:30 am – 10 km Race Warm-Up (near the starting line)
• 8:50 am – Competitive Wheelchair Start (at Georgia and Burrard Streets)
• 9:00 am – Start of the 10 km and Elite Races
• 9:00 am to 9:06 am – Pink, Yellow, Green and White Waves Start
• 9:15 am to 9:20 am – Purple and Blue Waves Start
• 11:00 am – Awards Ceremonies (on Main Stage at BC Place Stadium)

Sun Run Route

The starting line for the Vancouver Sun Run is downtown on Georgia Street by Burrard. Runners line up for several blocks, organized in categories according to their expected running times.

Before reaching Stanley Park the race turns up Denman Street. Participants continue onto Beach Avenue and run past English Bay. The route goes up over Burrard Street Bridge and crosses False Creek. Participants in the run make their way to 6th Avenue and then turn left onto Quebec Street toward BC Place Stadium.

There are usually thousands of fans, supporters and tired runners at the finish line. An announcer naming many of the runners as they cross the line is also present.

The recuperating runners are greeted and reunited with their friends and supporters on the road outside BC Place at the end of the race. In addition to the crowds celebrating outside the stadium, thousands more go inside BC Place to enjoy the free concert. An awards ceremony and general post-run celebrations also take place.

Sun Run Video

Check out the video below for an idea of what to expect at the Vancouver Sun Run in the future. The video shows footage from the 2024 event. As you can see, it was a beautiful day! Hopefully next year’s run looks similar.

(Note: The music in this video is Rock me Better by Oleksii Kaplunskyi from Pixabay.)

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your Vancouver Sun Run experience.

TIP #1: If you’re a runner and you don’t like crowds, this isn’t the best run to take part in. There are well over 40,000 participants. By comparison, at the Vancouver BMO Marathon in May, there is a maximum of just 5,000. Click Vancouver Running Races for a list of other running options, both big and small.

TIP #2: As a runner, you don’t have to run the second your group sets off. With some fun modern technology, your timer begins the moment you cross the start line.

TIP #3: Avoid driving downtown at all costs on race day as traffic gets heavily snarled. Take public transit instead. And if you want to cheer your friends on at different points throughout their run, consider taking your bicycle. That’s the best way to get around much of the downtown core on race day.

Other Information

The Sun Run has taken some huge steps to reduce the amount of waste production from the event over the years.

If possible, participants should also bring their own reusable cup or water bottle and not use disposable energy gel packs as these cannot be recycled. Don’t stress, however, if you aren’t able to bring your own water bottle. Everything at the event is usually recyclable or compostable.

There are typically volunteers at the recycling stations to ensure that participants have properly disposed of all materials. Check out Sun Run Environmental Initiatives for more information on this event going green.

Visit the Vancouver Sun Run website to learn more about the event.

Check out Vancouver Running Races for information on other running events at different times of the year, including the Scotiabank Half Marathon.