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 2023, the race took place on Sunday, November 26th. The event returns on Sunday, November 24th in 2024. For the latest details about the runs, see the TryEvents.ca website.

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

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 2023 the Vancouver Historic Half happened on Sunday, November 26th. The races started at 9:00 am, 9:03 am and 9:06 am. There was also a 15-minute warm up session at 8:45 am.

The Vancouver Historic Half happens on Sunday, November 24th, in 2024. Exact race times and other details are to be confirmed.

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.

Vancouver Historic Half Competitors

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. 2024 prices are to be confirmed.

Costs to participate in the 5 km run in 2023 were between $50 and $65. The 10 km run cost between $55 and $70. Lastly, running in the half marathon cost between $65 and $80 per person in 2023. These prices were all the same as they were in 2022, which was nice to see.

Registration fees in 2023 were at their lowest at least two months before the event. Registration was the cheapest until mid-September. Prices increased by $5 after that and remained that way until mid-October when they increased by another $5. Registration was the most expensive for folks who decided to run on the day of the event. It was 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.