BMO Vancouver Marathon's new marathon relay makes 42 km seem achievable

With the Victoria marathon and half-marathon taking place on Vancouver Island this weekend, I’ve been thinking a lot about running. I’m not participating in Victoria this year (although I ran the half-marathon in 2013 year and it was one of the most scenic routes I had ever experienced) but I’m looking forward to spring when racing season ramps up.

I received an email from the BMO Vancouver Marathon today letting me know that people who participated in the 2014 runs—including marathon, half-marathon, and eight kilometre distances—could sign up for the 2015 event a few days before registration opens to the public on October 15.

I’m still thinking about what distance I’d like to aim for (perhaps 2015 will be the year I try for a full marathon?), but one thing on the email caught my attention: marathon relay.

The 2015 Vancouver Marathon will be the first year that marathon relay appears at the event.  A marathon is just over 42 km, which is a daunting distance for most people—even seasoned runners.

In marathon relay, however, the distance is divded into four sections, and teams of two to four people each cover five to 12 km of the course. Suddenly, “running a marathon” doesn’t sound so unattainable, does it? Five to 12 kilometres are much easier distances for most people to train for (considering that “fun runs” are typically 5 or 10 km). It’s also a good way to experience a long-distance race if you’re not quite ready for a half-marathon, which is 21.2 km.

The Vancouver Marathon is an especially popular event because of its scenic route. The races for both the full- and half-marathons start at Queen Elizabeth Park. The half-marathon takes off down Cambie Street and winds through Chinatown, Yaletown, the West End, and Stanley Park before ending downtown on Pender and Burrard Streets.

Meanwhile, after leaving QE Park, the marathon and marathon relay races will head east to UBC and follow the waterfront path along Spanish Banks, Jericho Beach, through Kitsilano, the West End, and Stanley Park to finish at the same spot as the half-marathon.

Last year, in typical Vancouver fashion, it down-poured on race day, but that didn’t stop the thousands of runners and volunteers from participating. The beginning of May is a great time for running—it’s not too hot or humid yet, and there are enough months after the winter holidays to start training.

The 44^th annual Vancouver Marathon takes place May 3, 2015. The marathon relay event will be limited to 250 teams, and runners must be 18 years or older to participate. The cost of entry for marathon relay starts at $279 per team.

Maybe I’ll see you at the start line?