The First Half is back on Sunday, February 12!
In-Person Half Marathon + Virtual Races + Combos
The First Half is sold out!
Capped at just 2,000 runners, the First Half presented by BlueShore Financial is known to sell-out quickly! Offering a stunning out-and-back course, the First Half presented by BlueShore Financial 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.
Your race kit includes:
- Exclusive First Half long-sleeved tech race tee for all runners
- Triple Crown runners also score a special 36.1KM medal and race wrap!
- $25 gift card to Forerunners (min $75 spend)
- Finishers medal for In-Person Race only
- Option to purchase physical medal for Virtual Race
- Bib = Beer (Compliments of Stanley Park Brewing)
- Results, leaderboard, and more!
In addition to the In-Person race, the event offers Virtual Races which may be run from anywhere, anytime from February 1 to 28, 2023. Run all three race distances virtually or try the Hybrid with an in-person Half Marathon and virtual 10KM & 5KM to score the RUNVAN® Triple Crown and earn a bonus 36.1KM medal.
Switch to Virtual Race: Runners may switch their in-person registration to the virtual race before January 30 by contacting info@runvan.org. After January 30, runners may switch only onsite at Package Pickup at Forerunners Main St. from February 7 to 11.
The First Half supports Variety – The Children’s Charity to provide help to BC children and their families. To date, runners have raised over $800,000 for charity.
The history of the event dates back to 1988, when the Vancouver International Marathon Society asked Pacific Road Runners to host a Half Marathon as a build-up event to the Vancouver Marathon. The club obliged and built one of Canada’s premier running events.
The event will be subject to Provincial Health Orders at the time of the race.
Package Pickup will be held at Forerunners Main St. and is not available race day.
This is the first race in the RUNVAN Race Series. Earn your Grand Slam prize by running all four RUNVAN events in the same calendar year: First Half, BMO Vancouver Marathon, Granville Island Turkey Trot and Great Trek.
Note: Race registrations are non-refundable.
Contact information
- Event contact
- RUNVAN®
- info@runvan.org
- Phone
- 604 872 2928
- Website
- Visit website