Vancouver Historic Half

Hosted by Try Events, the Vancouver Historic Half is a set of three runs around Stanley Park in November each year. The longest route is a half marathon.

In 2025, the race happens on Sunday, November 30th. For the latest details about the runs, see the TryEvents.ca website.

This article contains the following information about the Vancouver Historic Half:

When and Where | Race Registration Fees | Video | Other Information

Vancouver Historic Half at Stanley Park

The Vancouver Historic Half is an annual running event that takes place at one of Vancouver’s top attractions (the city’s famous park). Participants race distances of 5K, 10K or 21K around the Stanley Park Seawall. It’s a fully-paved and beautiful loop along the water with views, depending on where in the park you are, of English Bay, Coal Harbour and the North Shore.

Each race at the Vancouver Historic Half uses chip-timing tags. The fastest runners receive special medals, and all other participants receive finishing medals. Everyone also gets free snacks, a take-home souvenir and the chance to win prizes throughout the event. You’ll find water stations along the 10K and half marathon routes.

The Vancouver Historic Half is one of a series of events. Other races in the series in the City of Vancouver are the Chilly Chase and the Vancouver Chocolate Run. There is also the Shamrock’n Race and Rubber Ducky Race in Burnaby. Elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, there is the Boundary Bay Marathon in Tsawwassen and the Fort Langley Historic Half. Participants can run in one, all, or as many of the races as they want. People sign up for each race individually.

When and Where is the Vancouver Historic Half

The 2025 Vancouver Historic Half takes place on Sunday, November 30th, at Stanley Park. All races start and finish at Lumberman’s Arch (near the concession). The address is 3250 Stanley Park Drive.

Start times in 2025 are staggered as follows.

9:00 am — Half Marathon Wave 1.
9:04 am — Half Marathon Wave 2.
9:08 am — 10K.
9:12 am — 5K.

The course stays open for three hours and closes at 12:00 pm. A warm-up begins 15 minutes before each start time. Courses follow the seawall and park pathways. Everything is fully paved.

The 5K running route usually moves south past the Vancouver Aquarium and then loops back around a small portion of the seawall. The 10K and half marathon routes usually loop around the entire park in one direction, then return on the same path in reverse.

Last year, the 10K and half marathon runners didn’t complete the whole circuit of the park. Instead, they ran south from Lumberman’s Arch and then cut all the way across to English Bay. The 10K runners turned around from there, while the half marathon runners kept going along the False Creek Seawall until they hit Science World, before turning around there. 2025 routes are still to be confirmed and may change. Hydration stations appear every 5K.

This is a late-fall race— expect cool, wet or icy conditions. It’s a good idea to dress in layers. Use the bag check with a cash donation at the charity table near the start/finish. There is limited parking available in Stanley Park. Arrive early or carpool if you can.

To register and for more information about the races, visit the TryEvents.ca website.

Race Registration Fees

Registration costs for the Vancouver Historic Half depend on the distance and the time of registration. Online registration closes one week before race day or once the cap fills. Day-of entries may be available if space remains.

The 2025 online participation pricing is listed below. (Note: GST and processing fees are added to the prices below at checkout.)

• 5K Race — $53 until July 31st. $58 from August 1st to September 30th. $60 from October 1st to November 17th. $65 on race day.

• 10K Race — $58 until July 31st. $63 from August 1st to September 30th. $68 from October 1st to November 17th. $70 on race day.

• Half Marathon — $68 until July 31st. $73 from August 1st to September 30th. $78 from October 1st to November 17th. $80 on race day.

(Note: Prices are subject to change.)

Participants can choose a Yellow Bib entry, which skips swag and the finisher’s medal. In exchange, a donation goes to the race charity. Yellow Bib runners wear yellow bibs on race day.

There are also savings for groups and participants of various ages. Children 15 and under receive $15 off the 5K or 10K but must run with a registered guardian. Youth ages 16 to 19 get $10 off. Seniors 65 and over receive a $10 discount. Groups of five or more save $5 per person when registering together in one transaction.

Package Pickup

Pick up your race package on Friday, November 28th, 2025, at LadySport. The address is 3545 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver. Pickup is from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. On Saturday, November 29th, 2025, pick up is at FitFirst inside the Christine Sinclair Community Centre from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The address is 3713 Kensington Avenue, Burnaby.

You can pick up your package on race day with a $5 cash donation to the charity partner. Anyone using this option should arrive at least 45 minutes before their start time.

Vancouver Historic Half Video

For an idea of what to expect at the Vancouver Historic Half, check out the video below. It includes footage from the 2023 event. As you can see, lots of people participated. A good number of people also cheered them on! The route is usually picturesque, but it was an overcast day in November. Hopefully, it happens on a sunny morning in 2025.