Best foot forward: Royal Victoria Marathon set to return this year

After hitting the wall, the marathon is back with the Royal Victoria Marathon set for Oct. 9 after being cancelled in 2020 and the event being limited to the half-marathon and 8K distances in 2021 due to the pandemic.

Royal Victoria organizers also announced Thursday the full suite of distances will be offered this year, including the return of the marathon, which is an annual qualifier for the fabled Boston Marathon.

Nearly 1,200 people have already registered with

355 signed up for the marathon, 601 for the half-marathon and 231 for the 8K. Details of the kids’ run will be announced.

“It’s great to be able to create this opportunity again,” said general manager and race-director Cathy Noel.

“Getting people to the start line is what it’s all about.”

That wasn’t made easy during the pandemic following the outright cancellation in 2020 followed by a partial event in 2021.

“We were lucky to get in the half-marathon and 8K in 2021 but chose not to do the marathon because of resources and the uncertainty of how many out-oftown runners would be able to come,” said Noel.

“But we are in full planning mode for 2022 race week.”

A virtual racing component will also be offered.

All participants racing live will be required to show proof of full vaccination and will have to adhere to the COVID protocols in effect at that time.

The pandemic-reduced 2021 field featured 4,419 participants, 2,715 who signed up for the halfmarathon and 1,704 for the 8K. The total number of runners, walkers and rollers usually numbers about 9,000 in a normal year, which includes the marathon distance.

“We want it to be 9,000-plus this year,” said Noel.

The event began in 1980. Past participants over the various distances have included the likes of two-time Olympians Natasha Wodak and Hilary Stellingwerf and Jon Brown fourth place in the marathon in both the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics.

Registration/information: runvictoriamarathon.com