It was a spectacular Canadian Thanksgiving week-end. The weather and scenary were perfect, and justified being one of Runner's World top 10 vacation marathons. Victoria is an easy commute to outlying communities for day trips. People are very friendly. I always bring a disposable camera with me on the marathon course, so I have pictures of me with two queens and one Santa Claus! The only thing to improve is the food after the marathon. I don't like sugary cookies or cupcakes. Overall, I would highly recommend coming out here!

The RVM was my first marathon. Everything about it was spectacular - the course, the organization, the spectator. I did not have one negative thought while running this race. I highly recommend it.

Everything about this marathon indicates that tremendous thought has gone into the overall preparation for the race. In fact, without actually knowing, I would also safely assume that much of this came from input from actual runners. The time of year does not hurt this marathon whatsoever as the climate was ideal.

The ocean front course is breath-taking, with a few rolling hills, which only adds to the great attributes of the course.

Organization was great and, again, appeared as though actual runners were involved.

The spectators were extremely interested and excited as opposed to some other marathons where excitement seemed less genuine.

I highly recommend this marathon to all types of runners. There is so much to appreciate in Victoria as well as the people and surroundings. It's a great place to make a mini-vacation.

The course does roll some, but very slightly. You start on the edge of the inner harbor in front of the Parliament Building and the Empress Hotel. You weave through the quaint inner city and at 5 km hit the coast. Off in the distance is the Olympic Pennisula. The weather is cooperative to marathoning, the course is along the coast on 2 lane roads. The residents come out to wave and shout encouragement. You run two out and back sections one from the 5 km to 10km and then a loop at about 17 turns you around to head you back along the same route. Therefore you get to see the other faster and slower runners. Runners/Walkers that project a finish time over 5 hours are encouraged to start at 6 a.m. (2 hours before the racers). These folks also lend a lot of support to the environment. Great uniquely northwestern shirts (marathoners get a sweatshirt) each event (there is a companion 8 k and kids 1 k) have their own shirt desgins. The race is hosted by runners and is definitely a 'runners' race'. It is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada so there is that upbeat feeling as well as the beauty of the area and the hospitality of the entire community. If you want a great race to run, give Victoria a try. I'll go back. They even have a Saturday afternoon bus tour of the route, and a post race pizza feed with a video of the race.