Canada’s Fastest Half
Capped at just 2,500 runners, the First Half is known to sell-out quickly! Offering a stunning out-and-back course, the First Half is the ideal way to kick off your running season and build to Vancouver’s only Marathon event. This fantastic community event dates back to 1988 when the Vancouver International Marathon Society approached Pacific Road Runners to host a build-up event to the Marathon. 2025 returns a long-sleeve tech shirt and Indigenous medal designs by Musqueam artist Darryl Blyth. Triple Crown entries are also limited and include a special bonus race medal. Join in! RUNVAN®.
2025 is at event capacity. Thank you.
Canada’s fastest Half Marathon is always quick to sell-out and reach capacity.
Elites may still apply with Competitive Entries. Forerunners also offers a training clinic with limited race entries.
Next Event: Sunday, February 9, 2025
Annually in February
Deferral Policy
After December 16, if you’d no longer like to race for any reason, you may apply for a 75% Deferral Discount to next year’s race. Please make this application at least one month in advance. The Deferral Discount is eligible for the following year’s event and is valid for any reason including potential personal or work conflicts, injury, etc. Medical Deferral Discounts will also be granted if identified within one month but prior to race start. Deferral Requests must be made in advance of Race Day. Transfers and refunds are not allowed after December 16 as race assets including race bibs and tech shirts are ordered well in advance.
To apply for a Deferral for any reason, log into your Race Roster Participant Dashboard, click the blue ‘Edit Registration‘ button top-right, toggle to the tab ‘Registration Questions.’ Check ‘yes‘ in the first Deferral box and respond to the subsequent questions and click save. Once you mark yourself as a deferral, your registration is inactive and you will no longer be able to collect a race kit from Package Pickup.
You’ll receive notice for a 75% Deferral Discount Code for the following year after next year’s race. This new code will be emailed you at the time next year’s race opens. Please be patient. Please also consider becoming a Start Line Volunteer to assist and enjoy this year’s event.
Until December 15 only, the First Half also allows transfers.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
Race Policies
Per RUNVAN Race Polices, exiting or attempting to exit the course boundaries will result in a Disqualification DNF and Did Not Finish. Participants must stay within course boundaries as designated by event officials, marshals, traffic cones, barriers, and other markings, at all times, and may not receive any race assistance from non-participants. All RUNVAN events and event participants are also subject to Doping Control.
Chip Times and timing mats record participant times at different intervals and at key points throughout the race. To maintain the integrity of race results, a time may be deemed invalid if those chip times are not recorded, or if there is a significant difference between recorded split times, or where the result is otherwise questionable. Please race respectively and always stay within the designed course boundaries.
For liability and safety reasons, note all transfers must be registered. A person running in your place may create result errors. Moreover, in the event of a medical emergency, the wrong information may have serious consequences and liability implications. Sharing of your bib, or running with an unofficial bib, will result in bans at future RUNVAN events.
Transfers
Until December 15 only, the First Half allows entries to be transferred to accommodate runners unable to participate. There are no exceptions for transfers past this deadline. For person-to-person transfers, to initiate a transfer between yourself and another person, please visit your Race Roster Participant Dashboard, click ‘Transfer to a new participant‘, and follow the subsequent steps including inputing the email address of the person you would like to transfer registration to. Click ‘Send transfer request’ to initiate the transfer. Instructions on accepting the transfer will be sent to the new participant to complete the registration and pay the new registration fee. Once the transfer is complete, within 14 business days, you will be issued a refund less an online processing fee. If you can’t find a person to transfer to, email: info@runvan.org
Event Capacity
2025 is sold-out. Always expect this race to hit a very early sell-out capacity. RUNVAN continues to drive sell-out capacity numbers across its events. Capacity limits are set in collaboration with City of Vancouver Stakeholders. Runners are encouraged to register early for all RUNVAN events. Caps are set pre-event in collaboration with City Stakeholders. These limits help ensure an optimal racing experience for all, including runners and volunteers. Foremost, safety and the ability to deliver emergency medical services is of utmost importance. BC’s uniquely scenic courses further limit capacity. Thanks for understanding.
Scenic Course
A waterfront out-and-back course, the ‘First Half’ Half Marathon is a scenic, 21.1KM route that takes place in Downtown Vancouver. Kicking off near the Roundhouse Community Centre, the First Half continues out past Sunset Beach, along the Seawall, and back towards the historic Yaletown neighbourhood. For the Virtual Races, you’re encouraged to please find your own course. Triple Crown champs, you may run your three races in any order, on any day, throughout the month of February!
Kilometres
Participants
Annually in February
Age Category Awards
Although we celebrate personal achievement at every level, RUNVAN further rewards overall excellence:
- Age Category Medals for Gold, Silver and Bronze, based on official chip times
- Complimentary Race Entry for the following year if 1st in your Age Category Division
Competitive Entries
Capped at 2,500 runners, the First Half quickly reaches capacity. Special entries are reserved for Elite and Competitive Runners who meet certain standards.
Elite Entries
If you’ve recently ran a sub 1:10 (men) or sub 1:20 (women) Half Marathon, you are invited to apply as an Elite Entry with comped entry. If you qualify, please email: elites@runvan.org.
Competitive Entries
If you’ve recently ran a sub 1:15 (men) or sub 1:30 (women) Half Marathon, or have finished Top 3 in your Age Category at a recent First Half, you may still gain entry into the always sold-out event. To pay and register, email: elites@runvan.org
Race Kit
Registration Includes:
- Long-sleeve tech tee or opt ot go green
- Race medal for the in-person Half Marathon 21.1KM
- Bonus medal with the Triple Crown
- Option to purchase race medals with Virtual Races
- $25 gift card to Forerunners ($75 minimum spend)
- Partner treats (in-person Package Pickup only)
- Stanley Park Brewing beer if of age
- Measured and marked courses
- On-course water stations and services if in-person
- Results, leaderboard, and more