Try Events Running Races

Try Events organizes races of different lengths in Metro Vancouver. There are 5 km and 10 km runs, as well as half and full marathons for runners to enjoy.

Events in the series include the Chilly Chase (in January), Fort Langley Historic Half (in February) and both the Vancouver Chocolate Run and Shamrock’n Race (in March). There is also the Rubber Ducky Race (in October) and both the Boundary Bay Marathon and Vancouver Historic Half (in November). The last two are the biggest.

Try Events Races in Metro Vancouver

Try Events hosts a number of running races and half marathons throughout the year. The events happen at various locations in Metro Vancouver including Fort Langley, Burnaby Lake, False Creek, Stanley Park and South Delta’s Boundary Bay.

The family-friendly events offer different distances to choose from, between 5 km and 42 km, the last of which is the length of a full marathon. Some Try Events races are themed, like the event during the week of St. Patrick’s Day for example.

Registration costs for each event increase as the events get closer. Everyone can save up to $15 or so by registering as early as possible. Everyone who finishes their race usually receives a medal, and special medals are given to the top 3 runners of each event. There are also random draws to win various types of prizes on most race days.

The organization’s first ever event happened in January 2005. Since then, Try Events has worked with communities and supported numerous charities. Volunteers help on event days and make it easier for Try Events to support its various charitable beneficiaries.

2024 Try Events Races

Try Events races take place across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley regions. There are races in Vancouver, Burnaby, Delta and Fort Langley.

Races listed below are scheduled to happen in 2024.

Vancouver Chilly Chase (in January)

The Chilly Chase race is an annual event outside the Creekside Community Recreation Centre located at #1 Athletes Way in Vancouver’s Olympic Village at the edge of False Creek. The 19th edition of the event happened in 2024 on Sunday, January 28th.

The race features multiple routes that span 5 km, 10 km and 21 km. Races are staggered but begin at around 9:00 am.

Registration for the shortest race costs between $50 and $65. In 2024 the 10 km race cost $55 if you registered early, or up to $70 if you waited until closer to race day. The 15 km race cost between $60 and $75, whereas the half marathon cost up to $80. All participants receive souvenir swag, participation medals and small snacks.

To learn more about the event visit the Try Events website or see our article about the Chilly Chase. To see what the start of the race at Olympic Village looks like, then watch the following short video.

Fort Langley Historic Half (in February)

The Fort Langley Historic Half event offers a few different routes. There are 5 km, 10 km and half marathon running races. In 2024 the 18th annual event took place on Sunday, February 18th.

The races kicks off at Bedford Plaza at 23285 Billy Brown Road in Fort Langley. All the different runs start at about 9:00 am and everyone receives a finishing medal.

Costs to register vary based on distances and registration times. In 2024 the 5 km run cost up to $65, the 10 km run cost up to $70 and the half marathon cost up to $80. In all cases, you could save up to $15 if you booked online before the end of 2023.

To learn more about the event, click Fort Langley Historic Half.

Vancouver Chocolate Run (in March)

The Vancouver Chocolate Run is another Try Events set of races that usually happens along the Stanley Park Seawall in March. As the name of the event suggests, all participants receive chocolate.

In 2024 the Vancouver Chocolate Run takes place on Saturday, March 2nd. There is also a Fun K race which is just over half a kilometre in length.

For the 5 km race, registration costs between $50 and $65 depending on when you book. The 10 km race costs about $5 more. The Fun K race is the shortest and also the least expensive to enter. It’s great for kids and costs $15 before March 2nd or $20 on the day of the event.

For more information about the event, click Try Events Chocolate Run.

Shamrock’n Race (in March)

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Try Events hosts a themed race in mid-March at Burnaby Lake Regional Park each year.

The 18th annual Shamrock ‘N Race takes place on March 17th in 2024. The start is typically in Burnaby in the field near the corner of Joe Sakic Way and Sperling Avenue, so at the same location as the Rubber Ducky Race in October. The 5 km, 7 mile and half marathon runs start at around 9:00 am.

To learn more about the event, click Try Events St. Patrick’s Day.

Rubber Ducky Race in Burnaby — The Rubber Ducky Race

Rubber Ducky Race (in October)

The Try Events Rubber Ducky Race is held in October in the City of Burnaby.

There are three options for participants to choose from. There’s a 5 km route, a 7 mile (~11 km) route and a half marathon. The races begin in the park near the corner of Joe Sakic Way and Sperling Avenue. Courses loop around Burnaby Lake making for a wonderful time in nature.

In 2024 the Rubber Ducky event takes place on Sunday, October 20th. Exact times and other details are to be confirmed.

In 2023, races began at about 9:00 am with a short warm up immediately before. The courses closed at noon. Registration fees varied depending on which distance you wished to run and how far in advance you booked. Prices for the 5 km run in 2023 ranged from $50 to $65. The 7 mile run cost between $55 and $70, and the half marathon cost between $65 and $80. In all cases, prices increased as the event got closer.

Runners who finished their races received a participation medal in 2023, and folks who signed up for the half marathon got socks with a yellow duck pattern.

For the latest information about the event, click Try Events Rubber Ducky or see our article about the Rubber Ducky Race.

Rubber Ducky Race Video

The following video shows what the start of the Rubber Ducky Race at Burnaby Lake Regional Park looks like. As you’ll see, it’s a fair-sized race with a lot of participants.

Boundary Bay Marathon (in November)

As its name suggests, the Boundary Bay event takes place at Boundary Bay Park in South Delta (a.k.a. Tsawwassen). The park is beautiful and the path runs alongside the ocean. The terrain is mostly flat which makes running a bit easier.

In 2024 the 13th annual Boundary Bay Marathon happens on Sunday, November 3rd. Additional details are to be confirmed.

In 2023, there were four different routes available. The shorter options were 5 km and 10 km long. For more serious runners, there was also both a half and full marathon. In addition, groups of runners competed in a four-person marathon relay. The races started at about 8:30 am.

Prices for the individual runs in 2023 ranged from $50 to $90 each, depending on which distance you selected. On the other hand, entering the four-person relay cost $180 to $210 per team.

To learn more about the event, click Try Events Boundary Bay.

For an idea of what the Boundary Bay event looks like, check out the following video.

Vancouver Historic Half (in November)

The Vancouver Historic Half is a popular event where participants run along the Stanley Park Seawall. 2024 marks the Vancouver Historic Half’s 14th anniversary. The event begins at around 9:00 am on Sunday, November 24th.

The event offers 5 km, 10 km and half marathon routes. The runs begin at Lumberman’s Arch Concession at 3250 Stanley Park Drive. Stanley Park is one of Vancouver’s top attractions, so it’s no surprise that this event has been a great success over the years.

Half marathon runners get an event souvenir and all runners borrow time tags. Prices for the event range from $50 to $80 per person.

For more information about the event, visit the Try Events website.