INSIDE TRACK

What you need to know for Sun Run 2017

RACE PACKAGE PICK-UP AT B.C. PLACE SOUTH ENTRANCE

Individual race package pick-up is at B.C. Place Stadium for only two days.

At B.C. Place you can collect your race number, tech shirt (or cotton T-shirt for the Shaw 2.5K Mini Sun Run) and timing tag at the Vancouver Sun Run Fair.

The fair runs Friday (April 21) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday (April 22) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the Vancouver Sun Run Fair is at the handicap entrance located under Gate E (street level, entrance between Gate D and Gate E).

Admission to the Vancouver Sun Run Fair is free and there will be plenty to see and learn about the event. The official Vancouver Sun Run merchandise booth will be selling technical running gear, offering great deals on running shoes and souvenir items. Other sponsors will be sampling many items so don’t miss out on some incredible free samples. Shirts not picked up before race day will be forfeited.

If you are a member of the Youth or Canadian Western Bank Corporate team, you will get your package from your team captain. For team captains, note: Your pick-up location will be at Gate H at B.C. Place on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no team pick-up Saturday or on race day.

If you are a member of an In Training clinic, please get your tech shirt, race number and timing tag from your clinic coordinator.

There is no race-day collection of race packages, except for out-of-town entrants, who may obtain their race numbers, shirts and timing tags Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the second floor of the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Entrants who must pay long-distance charges to phone Vancouver from home qualify for race-day collection.

RACE BIB LOOK UP!

Before going to the Vancouver Sun Run Fair to get your race bib, shirt and timing tag, it is recommended you go online and look up your bib number to avoid long lineups. Visit the vancouversunrun.com website and click on the Bib Look Up tool.

START ZONE

You have access to your start zone only through the allocated access street (see the back of your bib for the start line map for your start zone).

The Vancouver Sun Run event team is working hard to improve every runner’s start time experience by corralling participants based on estimated finish times. Runners are more than welcome to come down well in advance of their start time to enjoy the race-day atmosphere, but we ask that everyone respect their colour-coded bib start time and spend some time reviewing the start map.

The Neurotics will perform on the start line stage on Sunday starting at 8 a.m. Competitive (unassisted) wheelchair racers and the elite racewalkers start at 8:40 a.m. GoodLife Fitness aerobics instructors lead a warm-up starting at 8:42 a.m.

The elite men’s and women’s races commence just before 9 a.m. Walkers and runners are grouped into waves according to their estimated finish time, and start at timed intervals. This allows you to run at your pace with other participants of similar ability. The first wave starts at 9 a.m. There will be multiple waves. If you are a walker in the purple and red zones, you are encouraged to arrive at the start by 9 a.m. but be aware that you may not cross the start line until about 10 a.m.

And please be patient — it is worth it — the excitement of the start line is not to be missed!

With the timing tag system you have an individual net time, so you don’t need to worry about the time it takes you to get to the start line as your timing will begin when you cross the start. For the safety of all participants, Nordic walkers, strollers, baby joggers and assisted wheelchairs must start in the red zone, regardless of ability.

At the start zone, assemble behind the balloon arch that matches the colour of your bib. See the map on the back of your bib for access streets, or check the map.

Starting positions are on a firstcome, first-served basis within each zone. Arrive early. Yellow zone closes at 8:30 a.m. You must use the access street listed on the back of your race number to get to your colour-coded zone. Yellow number access is from Burrard, Green numbers from Hornby, White numbers from Howe, Purple numbers from Granville and Red numbers from Seymour. Entry to all zones will be controlled for safety.

TIMING TAG

The 33rd annual Vancouver Sun Run is using the MyLaps BibTag timing system.

The Vancouver Sun Run’s primary

mandate is to promote health, fitness and community spirit — and to support amateur athletics through The Vancouver Sun International Track Classic via the Achilles Track Society.

The Vancouver Sun Run also supports children and family literacy. While the Vancouver Sun Run is not designated as a charity event, close to $2.5 million in proceeds have been donated to important causes since 1985.

The Sun Run offers other ways to make a difference. Every registrant has the opportunity to create a personal pledge page for one of the Sun Run’s charitable partners and to fundraise through participation in the event.

This year’s charitable partners are B.C. Children’s Hospital, B.C. SPCA, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ronald McDonald House B.C. & Yukon, B.C. Cancer Foundation and WE Charity.

Any money personally raised using the runner’s pledge page will go directly to the selected charity. How? Visit vancouversunrun.com, simply follow the links on the registration page to learn more, set up your pledge page and then be off and running for the cause!

ANOTHER FINISH LINE FOR SHOES

Support those in need and donate your pre-loved shoes. Running, athletic, dress/work shoes and hiking boots are collected, washed and distributed through the ShoeRenu Foot Care Clinics at the Salvation Army Harbour Light in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Vancouver Quadra. For a list of Sun Run Stores, visit sunrunstores.com.