Destination Race
The First Half Half, Vancouver, B.C.
An oceanfront race course. Blissfully (mainly) f lat terrain. A 98 per cent chance of rain. There are few places in Canada you can run a snowand ice-free race in February, making Vancouver’s annual Pacific Road Runners First Half Half-Marathon a salvation for competition-starved runners across the country.
The First Half Half course (yes, there is supposed to be two “halfs” in there, more on that later) is a relatively f lat 21.1k route that take runners through some of the most beautiful downtown waterfront paths, including the iconic Stanley Park seawall.
In a city filled with runners, this race is one of the city’s best-kept “secrets,” and a local favourite. Unlike Vancouver’s bigger road races – such as May’s bmo Marathon and the Sun Run, held each April) – the First Half caps entries at 2,000, making it an accomplishment to even land a bib number. Registration opened on Nov. 9, 2017, and it’s a good idea to sign up immediately to avoid losing your place – the race sells out faster than tickets for an Adele concert.
The beloved race has been organized by the Pacific Road Runners ( prr) since 1988, when the Vancouver International Marathon Society approached the running group with the idea of hosting a race to build momentum for their May marathon, which is Vancouver’s largest running event. prr loved the idea, and considered hosting two races: “the First Half ” half-marathon in February, and the “Second Half ” in March. Only the first race ever got off the ground, and just like that the Pacific Road Runners First Half Half-Marathon was born.
The course begins at a reasonable 8:30 a.m. in a trendy neighbourhood, with the start line just outside the Roundhouse Community Centre. Runners wind around BC Place Stadium before heading down to the waterfront paths the city is famous for. Participants run roads lined with cheering spectators holding colourfully worded signs (my personal favourite from the 2016 course read, “You better run faster, I just farted.”)
The majority of the race takes place along the popular Sunset Beach, overlooking the waters of English Bay, as well as Stanley Park (which is, incidentally, even bigger than New York ’s famous Central Park) Advertised as “Canada’s fastest half-marathon,” organizers boast of some of the speediest times in the country (spoiler alert: the course is mercifully f lat). This is good news for those looking to set a personal best, although one of the biggest hills is located at the 20.5-kilometre mark – you’ve been warned.
Looking for other tips for running a First-Half personal best? Learn how to race efficiently in the rain, which is likely to occur on race day – Vancouver rarely has snow in February, but it’s one of the wettest months of the year. Pacing is also
important, as the f lat course can cause some to go out too fast – and we all know how that works out (painfully).
In a bizarre twist of events, last year’s 2017 race was cancelled for the first time in the history of the run because of snow and ice on the roads. Yes, this is not a typo – stereotypically temperate Vancouver had a freakishly cold winter, and city officials were forced to revoke the run licence for safety reasons. The 2018 run, which marks the 29th annual event, promises to be an even more unique racing experience because of this f luke cancellation, with locals counting down the days until registration opens.
You likely don’t need any more incentive to sign up for the race, but it’s important to note that proceeds go to Variety, the Children’s Charity. Plus Canada’s third-largest city offers recovering runners a plethora of breweries (to restore lost carbs, of course) and brunch restaurants. Check out The Naam (open 2 4/7 and serving some of the best vegetarian food in the city), Sophie’s (located in funky Kitsilano just 15 minutes from downtown), and Café Medina ( just be prepared to line up for this one). Then work out any post-race lactic acid with a stroll along Kitsilano Beach, explore historic Gastown, or go hipster-spotting in East Vancouver.
Vancouver is an amazing city with a cult-like running culture, and racing the Pacific Road Runners First Half Half Marathon is a great way to experience this wet (whoops, west) coast way of life. Just make sure to bring your umbrella.