Boundary Bay Marathon

Centennial Beach is where the Boundary Bay Marathon begins and ends in Delta. The event also includes marathon relay, half marathon, 5 km and 10 km races.

The 12th annual edition of the event happens in 2023 on Sunday, November 5th. The starting line at the beach is in picturesque Boundary Bay Park which is about a 20-minute drive from the BC Ferries Terminal in Tsawwassen.

The Boundary Bay Marathon is one in a series of running races hosted by Try Events. Other runs in the series include the Fort Langley Historic Half, Hot Chocolate Run, Rubber Ducky Race, Shamrock ‘n Race, Vancouver Chilly Chase and Vancouver Historic Half.

Visit TryEvents.ca for the event’s official website.

Delta’s Boundary Bay Marathon Runs

The Boundary Bay Marathon is a fun event that attracts all fitness levels. It’s popular with serious runners looking for their last chance of the year to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The event’s shorter distances are also popular with families that like to run.

The Boundary Bay races are set against a beautiful oceanside backdrop in Boundary Bay Park in South Delta (also commonly known as Tsawwassen). The terrain appeals to many runners because it’s flat and easy to run. The runs are hosted by Try Events, the race organizer, and Ronald McDonald House (RMH) is the event’s charitable beneficiary.

2023 Boundary Bay Races Starting Times

Starting times for the event are staggered to accommodate the various races. Fitness instructors get the athletes buzzed with a warm-up. Right after that, the running begins.

Below is a breakdown of each group’s starting times:

8:30 am – all participants in the marathon and first leg of the marathon relay
8:33 am – all participants in the half marathon
8:36 am – all participants in the 10 km race
8:39 am – all participants in the 5 km race

Note: Participants in the 5 km run are strongly advised to set off with their appropriate group, which means waiting until all the runners in the other races have already departed. This is because there is a turn around in the first part of the course where 5 K runners don’t want to get lost or boxed in with people from the other races who aren’t turning around.

Visit TryEvents.ca for the event’s official website.

Event Pricing

The Try Events Boundary Bay races are selectively priced by category and date. Below are the cost details for each of the races in 2023.

With each event, the first price listed is the early-bird rate which is good up until July 31st. The second price is $5 more and in effect until September 30th. The next price, which is an additional $5 more, is good up until a week before the race, so until around October 29th. The final price, which is $15 more than the least expensive early-bird rate, is what you’ll pay on the day of the event, assuming spots are still available.

Again, the following prices are in effect until July 31st, September 30th, October 29th and November 5th:

5 km Race: $50, $55, $60 or $65
10 km Race: $55, $60, $65 or $70
Half Marathon: $65, $70, $75 or $80
Full Marathon: $75, $80, $85 or $90
Four-Person Marathon Relay: $180 (for the entire team), $190, $200 or $210

Note: Online registration closes one week before the races or when maximum participation numbers are reached.

Visit TryEvents.ca for the event’s official website.

Race Package Pick-Up Details

The Boundary Bay race kit can be collected from one of the following two athletic footwear and apparel retailer locations:

Run Inn Vancouver at 2331 West 41st Avenue in Vancouver
Run Inn Delta at #125 1315 56th Street in Delta

If you’re unable to collect your race package from the above designated locations, you can still pick up your kit on the day of the race for a $5 cash donation to Ronald McDonald House. If this is your preferred option, e-mail Try Events with your race name and write Boundary Bay Pick-Up Service in the subject line.

Racedaypickupservice@tryevents.ca is the e-mail address to use if picking things up at the event on November 5th in 2023. In your e-mail provide your full name and which race you’re doing. Then, on race day, ensure you arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of the race to collect your package from the Try Events table.

Note: Bring a bag along with you to pick up your race kit at the Run Inn locations as no bag will be supplied by Try Events as per their efforts to reduce waste.

Boundary Bay Runs

Marathon and Marathon Relay Course

The following is a description of the marathon and marathon relay course. We describe how the relay works. The marathon is the same, but run by one person instead of four different people all starting at different points along the route.

The Boundary Bay Marathon Relay is a four-person race run over four legs. It follows the same route as the regular full marathon, from Centennial Beach to Mud Bay Park.

With the relay, each member of the team starts and finishes at a different location. The first section is about 7.5 km and begins at the same starting line as all the other races, on the trail at Centennial Beach. From there this first group heads north to where 72nd Street meets the trail.

Leg #2 is about 13.6 km and picks up from on the trail at 72nd Street and continues east to the Mud Bay Parking area located at 13030 48th Avenue (where 99 Highway meets Railway Road).

The third leg is also about 13.6 km. It starts at the Mud Bay Parking area and follows the trail west back to 72nd Street.

The fourth and final leg is about 7.5 km and takes the race home from 72nd Street back to the finish line at Centennial Beach.

Other Race Details

It’s good to know that water stations are available on all of the runs except for the 5 K race. Also, the course closes at 1:30 pm (which gives everyone lots of time to finish the race).

All participants receive a timing tag with their race kit. If you are a registered runner (or walker), attach this tag to your shoe on the day of the race. It will record your time once you cross the finish line. The tag can then be removed and returned to Try Events. Note: Failure to return the timing tag will result in a $40 fee. You can also mail in the tag, however, to avoid the penalty.

The top three male and top three female runners who finish in each distance receive medals. All participants who finish the races are also entered into a draw for random prizes. Winners can collect their prizes at the table next to the finish line once their timing tags have been removed.