Vancouver_Marathon

Vancouver Marathon

The Vancouver International Marathon is an annual race held on the first Sunday of May each year in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada . As the largest international marathon event in Canada, it has a certified running distance of 26 miles and 385 yards long. The most recent marathon saw over 12,000 people participated on May 4, 2008. This marathon is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations & Association of International Marathons and Distance Races as a qualifying marathon race.

The race started in 1972 when a small group of 72 runners ran five loops of Stanley Park to complete the first Vancouver International Marathon (known as Lions Gate Road Runners International Marathon). The marathon grew over the next few years to 300 participants in 1977. However the event suffered a major setback in 1976 when a participant, Dr. Leslie Truelove, collapsed mid-race and died due to aneurysm. In Truelove's memory, the Dr. Leslie Truelove Memorial Trophy has been awarded ever since to the first male finisher in the 50+ age category.

The 1983 race became known as the "Long Marathon" after runners were misdirected during its running — adding an extra 561 yards to the race.

Currently, several different options are available for participants:

Full Marathon (a Boston Marathon qualifying event) - 42K
Full Marathon Team Relay - 42K by 5 people
Marathon walkers - 42K
Wheelchair full marathon - 42K
Nordic Pole Walkers - 42K
Half Marathon - 21K
8K Course
Kids Marafun - 1K

Its current title sponsor is the BMO Bank of Montreal thus the marathon is known as BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon. Previous title sponsor was Adidas in 2001-2005, known as the Adidas Vancouver International Marathon.

Organization

The event is put together by the Vancouver International Marathon Society (VIMS), a non-profit organization run by a volunteer Board of Directors, assisted by a small number of paid staffs when the race is in planning stage.

Each year, VIMS recruit volunteers to help with pre-race preparations and race day operation. In total, about 1800 volunteers help to run the marathon smoothly. Volunteers help in areas such as water stations, medical stations, set-up/take down, food services, given out shirts & medals to runners.

Event details

A free Friendship Run is held during the race week for those who wish to participate. However, they must register separately with race official in order to take part in this event.

Expo

The Marathon is kicked off by an Expo (DVBIA Urban Lifestyle Expo), currently held at Westin Bayshore Hotel for 3 days for runners to pick up their information packages and to receive promotional materials from various sponsors and athletic associations.

Race Day

All participants start off at BC Place Stadium using a staggered time system to ensure timing accuracy. Along the race course, various safety officials are on course, including paramedics and amateur radio operators from Vancouver Emergency Community Telecommunications Organization (VECTOR). Details can be found at the 2008 Race Kit, available here:

The Award ceremony will be held in BC Place around 3:00 on race day. Cash prizes will be presented to the top three male and female full and half marathon runners while merchandise will be awarded to the fastest relay team.

Past winners- Full marathon

Year	Male winner		Female winner
1976	Ross Jackson	2:22:30	Doris Brown		2:47:34
1977	Chris Bolter	2:22:36	Meg Gordon		3:14:32
1978	John Hill	2:20:49	Gail McKean		2:55:33
1979	Bill Scott	2:15:56	Gail McKean		2:44:53
1980	Garry Henry	2:13:14	Marilyn Belwood		2:45:27
1981	Brian Morgan	2:19:42	Nancy McLaren		2:48:23
1982	Steve Pomeroy	2:16:56	Sue Krenn	/	2:45:25
1983	Paul Bannon	2:19:42	Beverly Bush		2:45:23
1984	Ric Sayre	2:16:34	Carol Raven		2:52:03
1985	Adrian Wellington	2:24:24	Kikue Tejima		2:55:32
1986	Hiromi Nishi	2:21:14	Joi Belyk		2:45:37
1987	Tetsuji Iwase	2:21:12	Cathy Kroll		2:46:50
1988	Mitsumasa Matsuyama	2:19:20	Isabelle Dittberner		2:50:33
1989	Shem-Tov Sabag	2:19:41	Anne Mangal		2:50:05
1990	Yoshikazu Tanese	2:23:47	Reiko Hirosawa		2:55:41
1991	Shigemi Tamori	2:25:01	Misao Miyata		2:52:14
1992	Masato Kojima	2:23:24	Yuka Terumuma		2:43:16
1993	Hayashi Morozumi	2:18:37	Eniko Feher		2:47:27
1994	Makoto Sasaki	2:17:24	Eniko Feher		2:46:24
1995	Graciano Gonzalez	2:23:11	Yoko Okuda		2:48:50
1996	Juan Gonzalez	2:17:47	Eniko Feher		2:52:38
1997	Juan Gonzalez	2:22:53	Eniko Feher		2:49:56
1998	Juan Gonzalez	2:22:48	Krystina Pieczulis		2:43:20
1999	Atsunari Saito	2:21:33	Krystina Pieczulis		2:43:46
2000	Ulrich Steidl	2:18:53	Krystina Pieczulis		2:45:32
2001	Ulrich Steidl	2:18:56	Leteyesus Berehe		2:45:51
2002	Ulrich Steidl	2:17:01	Angela Strange		2:45:46
2003	Ulrich Steidl	2:20:22	Angela Strange		2:46:22
2004	Ulrich Steidl	2:18:26	Mary Akor	/	2:44:43
2005	Kassahun Kabiso	2:15:40	Rimma Dubovik		2:44:05
2006	Kassahun Kabiso	2:18:28	Malgorzata Sobanska		2:37:06
2007	Thomas Omwenga	2:25:27	Claudia Camargo		2:35:50
2008	Thomas Omwenga	2:15:59	Mary Akor		2:37:54