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 2024, the race takes place on Sunday, November 24th. 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 5 kilometres, 10 kilometres or 21 kilometres 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.

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 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

In 2024 the Vancouver Historic Half happens on Sunday, November 24th. The races started at 9:00 am, 9:03 am and 9:06 am. There is also a 15-minute warm up session at 8:45 am.

All three of the runs typically 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 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, meanwhile, go around the whole park in one direction, and then back on the same path but in the reverse direction most years.

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 a couple of factors. The three distances are priced differently. Fees also increase as the event gets closer each year.

Costs to participate in the 5-kilometre run in 2024 are between $50 and $65. The 10-kilometre run costs between $55 and $70. Lastly, running in the half marathon costs between $65 and $80 per person. These prices have remained the same for the past couple of years, which is nice to see.

Registration fees in 2024 are at their lowest at least two months before the event. Registration is the cheapest until the end of September. Prices increase by $5 after that and remain that way until mid-November when they increase by another $5. Registration is the most expensive for folks who decide to run on the day of the event. It is only $15 or so more than the early-bird prices, though, so still very reasonable.

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, and a good number also cheered them on! The route is usually very picturesque but it was an overcast day in November. Hopefully it happens on a sunny morning in 2024.