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.

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 Hot 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.

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

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 (i.e., the city’s world-famous park). Participants race distances of 5 km, 10 km or 21 km 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 is timed using 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 valuable prizes throughout the event. There are water stations set up along the 10 km and half marathon routes as well.

When and Where

In 2023 the Vancouver Historic Half takes place on Sunday, November 26th. The runs start at 9:00, 9:03 and 9:06 am. There’s also a 15-minute warm up session at 8:45 am.

All three of the races begin and end at Lumberman’s Arch near the concession stand in Stanley Park. It’s located at 3250 Stanley Park Drive, along the east side of the park.

The 5 km running route moves south past the Vancouver Aquarium and then loops back around a small portion of the seawall. The 10 km and half marathon routes, meanwhile, go around the whole park in one direction, and then back on the same path but in the reverse direction.

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

Registration Fees

Registration costs for the Vancouver Historic Half depend on a couple of factors. The three distances are priced differently. Fees also increase as the event gets closer each year.

In 2023, costs to participate in the 5 km run are between $50 and $65. The 10 km run costs between $55 and $70. Lastly, running in the half marathon costs between $65 and $80 per person. These prices are all the same as they were in 2022. There has been no increase, which is nice in today’s world of high inflation.

Registration fees are at their lowest at least two months before the event. Registration is the cheapest until mid-September. Prices increase by $5 after that and remain that way until mid-October when they increase by another $5. Registration is the most expensive for folks who decide to run on the day of the event. It’s only $15 or so more than the early-bird prices though, so still very reasonable.