Race Info

Overview

Schedule

Safety is Priority

Event organizers closely monitor weather forecasts and health guidelines, and follow the appropriate regulations. Event details are always subject to change, as permits are subject to the approval from governing bodies. RUNVAN® has various event plans that will be adjusted according to the official guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer, City of Vancouver, and Vancouver Parks Board, to support the in-person event.

To assist in communicating key messages, RUNVAN will also rely on its Event Alert System.

Traditional Start Line

Pacific Blvd + Davie St

Train with Forerunners

Forerunners offers run clinics that help to inspire, motivate and educate our community through a welcoming environment that encourages runners of all abilities and experience to reach their goals. Train with Forerunners in build-up to Canada’s fastest Half this February.

TAPERING FOR THE FIRST HALF

As the First Half approaches it’s tempting to run too fast or too far during the final few workouts. You need to decide how to adjust your training over the final two weeks before your race. This will depend on how much you have been training and the intensity of your workouts.

Forerunners provides more info on how to pace yourself during tempo runs and speedwork as you taper off on long distances leading up to your race. Strategically timing your distance reduction and controlling your paces can significantly improve your race time.

BIB INFO

Bib must be clearly visible on the front of your shirt.

For safety and liability reasons, bibs are non-transferrable.

Bibs record your chip time and tag you in photos.

All runners are assigned a bib number and corral according to their estimated finish time. Your race bib for the in-person event includes a timing chip and tear-away gear check tag. Your bib will also be good for a complimentary sleeve of Stanley Park Brewing Beer if of legal drinking age. See the back of your bib for details, restrictions apply.

The last day to customize your bib name and estimated finish time was/is January 19. To edit general registration, please visit the Event Page, click the ‘Sign In’ button top-right and sign into your Participant Dashboard.

CHECKLIST

• Half Marathon tech tee
• $25 Forerunners gift card
• And more

For the First Half, shirt sizes are ordered to your original selection. If you’d to exchange your shirt for a different size, it’s possible in the final hours of Package Pickup, on a first-come, first-serve basis, while sizes and quantities last. It’s a good idea to visit Package Pickup early for the best chance to receive your selected shirt size. Thank you.

IN-PERSON RACES

Join Canada’s fastest Half Marathon! RUNVAN® offers several race services including gear check, on-course aid stations, an official Start Line, Finish Line, timing and race results.

Triple Crown Virtual Races

For Triple Crown Hybrid runners you may run, walk or stroll your race distance at your own pace and at a time and location of your choice, following the guidelines of your local health authorities. You may choose your own race day and your own starting line, whether it’s a treadmill, a park, your neighbourhood streets or Seawall. For the Virtual Race, you’re asked to please find your own pedestrian friendly route.

Triple Crown Virtual Race

On Race Day, runners usually wear a race bib with a timing chip and emergency contact info. For safety reasons, give someone else your race route and have an emergency contact located on your body or phone just in case.

Aside from practicing safe, physical distancing, be alert of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Remember, there are no road closures in effect during your Virtual Race. Try to stay on sidewalks or trails as much as possible and be sure to obey all traffic signals. If you’re going to listen to music, ensure you can still hear what’s going on around you. Treadmill racing may also be an option for you.

When is the First Half?

In-Person : Sunday, February 9, 2025

• Half Marathon : 8:30am start
• Time Limit: 3 hours

TRIPLE CROWN : February 1-28

• Half Marathon, plus 10KM and 5KM Virtual
• Triple Crown Hybrid entrants may run the First Half Virtual Race anytime between February 1-28.

There are no time limits to the Virtual Race. Please start your Virtual Race time once you start your race, and then stop it only once you complete the entire race distance. You may take breaks during your Virtual Race but your race time should run continuously until you complete your entire race distance. You should not break up your race distance into shorter segments ran on different dates. Thanks for understanding.

Where is the Race Course?

In-Person: The Start Line is on Pacific Boulevard out front of the Roundhouse Community Centre. The First Half is a beautiful loop course through Stanley Park and around Vancouver’s Seawall.

Virtual: Please choose your own route for this virtual event. It would be unsafe for us to provide a route that all could use at any specific time, as that may contribute to social distancing concerns. Additionally, by allowing registered runners to create their own routes, you may participate from wherever you are! Use caution if running outside, and be alert of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

TravelSmart

The First Half Start Line is on Pacific Boulevard out front of the Roundhouse Community Centre at 181 Roundhouse Mews in Vancouver, BC. Consider taking transit to the Canada Line Yaletown-Roundhouse Station. You may also use parking nearby. Please also be aware and observe the temporary road closures and detours.

Start Live In-Person

In-Person: 8:30am start. Arrive early. No late starts will be permitted.

• Start Line: On Pacific Boulevard out front of the Roundhouse Community Centre. This is a mass start with the fastest runners near the front. As this is a loop course, please note fast runners will also loop past the masses. Please allow others to pass while staying within course boundaries at all times.
• Access: Parking is available in Yaletown at nearby parkades and the Start and Finish Line area is walking distance from the Yaletown-Roundhouse Skytrain Station. RUNVAN® thanks the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Park Board for their assistance with road detours to annually host this community race annually in February.
• Toilets: Portable outdoor toilets are located near the Finish Line. Limited indoor access is available.
• Gear Check: Available inside the Roundhouse Community Centre Gym. Please place all items you’d like checked into your own bag. Detach the tear-off tag at the bottom of your race bib, attach it to the outside of your bag near the top, then hand your one bag to volunteers at Gear Check. After you finish, return with your race bib to collect your bag. Note: RUNVAN® is not responsible for potentially lost or damaged goods, and all clothing discarded near the Start Line will be donated to charity.
• Pacers: Find guide runners with goal times. Pacers are visible with RUNVAN® pacer shirts and signs.
• Corrals: Start waves feature colour-coded corrals. Approximately four minutes prior to your estimated Start Time, you’ll be invited to enter the Start Line Area. Enter at the back of the Start Line Area. The First Half will be a mass start with three corrals designated based on estimated run time entered at registration.
• Spacing: Please maintain physical distance within the Start Line Area.
• Official Race Times: Overall placings are based on Gun Time and Age Group Placings will be determined by Chip Time. Your official timing chip is included on your race bib which must be visible at both the Start Line and Finish Line. Your time will officially start once you cross the Start Line timing mats.

Gear Check

Gear Check will be available inside the Roundhouse Community Centre Gym on race morning. To help speed up the Gear Check process, please follow the steps below:

• Place all items you’d like checked into your own bag please. No loose items.
• Detach the tear-off tag at the bottom of your race bib.
• Attach your tear-off tag securely to the outside of your bag, near the top.
• Hand your one tagged bag to the volunteers at Gear Check.
• After you finish, return with your race bib to collect your bag.

Note: RUNVAN® is not responsible for potentially lost or damaged goods.

Clothing discarded near the Start Line will be donated to charity.

Pacers

Pacers will help guide you to your goal time. Meet your pacer team in your corral and say hi!

The First Half always features top talent and, as the course loops, these fast runners may pass the masses on the loop start and return loop coming off Lost Lagoon and back along the Seawall. Please be aware of this, do not block the width of the road, and allow others to pass by displaying proper Race Etiquette. Should you not be able to complete the race within the three hour course time limit, you’ll politely be asked to remove yourself from the race per the event’s stated Pacing Requirements. Thank you for understanding.

Course Overview

The fast First Half 21.1KM route starts and ends near Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre. The Finish Line awaits you near Pacific Blvd and Drake St. The live course is marked at every kilometre and at halfway, and you’ll have course marshals and pacers to guide you. This route will be accurately measured and certified. For visual maps, please visit: firsthalf.ca/maps. For temporary road closures, view: firsthalf.ca/detours.

Note as this is a loop course, so please be aware as Elites may pass you along return routes. Please allow others to safely pass while always remaining within the course boundary.

View the Out and Back First Half Course Map.

Etiquette Tips

Please follow the RUNVAN Code of Conduct and showcase strong Runner Etiquette which includes the following:

• Be Prepared. Have all your race clothing and gear ready the day before
• Arrive early, approximately one hour before your race start time
• Wear your Race Bib number on the front of your shirt and do not cover it ever
• Pay attention to all race announcements and please remove your headphones
• Do not litter. Use washrooms, portables, the garbage and recycling bins provided
• Line up in your assigned corral, and allow faster participants to line up at the front
• Do not block the race course. Allow others to pass on the left with verbal cues.
• Do not block stations and never litter. Carry your gel packs and cups if necessary
• Run through the Finish Line. Keep moving so as not to impede others
• Take one serving of each food item only
• Yield to potential emergency vehicles
• Thank volunteers

Finish Line In-Person

In-Person: Race day. Indoor facilities will return this year.

• Overview: The event Start Line and Finish Line are both located in Yaletown, Vancouver, BC.
• Medals: Medals will be awarded to all finishers! You may also opt to skip medal collection.
• Water: Water will be available on course and after crossing the Finish Line.
• Food: Snacks will also be available for finishers. Please help yourself to one serving of each item.
• Results: Chip timed results will be posted online at firsthalf.ca/results
• Toilets: Portable outdoor toilets will now be located on Pacific Blvd, West of Drake St.
• Gear Check: Return to the Roundhouse Gym with your race bib to collect your checked bag.
• Awards: Overall champions, Age Category, and the Dan Cumming Award will be presented.
• Fan Zone: Find viewing areas near Pacific & Drake to cheer on all of the other runners

Please note there may be cues for certain services. Please be patient.

Start / Finish Map

In-Person: Race day. Indoor facilities will return this year.

How may I view race results?

In-person runners may view results on race day at firsthalf.ca/results

Registered virtual runners will need their unique ‘Confirmation Number‘ provided during registration and their last name to input race results. You may additionally upload an image of your race file. Accepted file types are .jpg, .png, .gif. Max file size 2MB.

Triple Crown runners upload all three race times under each race distance individually.

Be sure to also share your ‘Finish Line’ photos on social @runvancanada #runvan

Awards

Half Marathon runners who place in the top three in their respective age categories will earn the opportunity to reserve their entry to the following year’s First Half. This is guaranteed entry, with only the Age Category Champion receiving complimentary entry.

First place Age Category earns free entry for the following year.

Half Marathon Age Categories: 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, 100+.

Overall Championship presentation at 10:45am and Age Category Awards at 11:05am inside the Roundhouse Exhibition Hall. Awards are only for the in-person race.

Half Marathon runners may also compete for the Dan Cumming Memorial for Best Age-Graded Performance.

Top contenders are eligible for prize money courtesy of the RUNVAN Elite Program.

All must abide by RUNVAN’s stated standards around Fair Play.