This was my first half marathon five years ago. The weather is always perfect for running. I really enjoyed running through Stanley Park. The event was organized very well. Plenty of water stations along the way and plenty of food at the end. The medal was nothing spectacular. I will be running again this year.
- Bob Delava

I've done the Vancouver Half Marathon four times, and will continue to do it. Vancouver is a great city to visit, and the marathon organization has always been outstanding. The expo was too small this past year, and the location was difficult to find. We would have given up except we needed to pick up our race packages. The food tables at the end have always been plentiful, with a great variety of choices. I wouldn't bother with the pasta party - it's too expensive for the quality of the food. I love the tech shirt that I can actually use afterward! A well run event with a great course through downtown, Chinatown and along the sea wall. There were lots of cheering spectators along the course. The volunteers have always been great, but I wish the water stations were more plentiful. We've only had rain once and even that was just a drizzle. What do you expect? It's Vancouver. If doing the half marathon, make sure you do your hill training, because the hill in Stanley Park is tough!

When the sun is shining (or at least it is not cold and rainy), this is a beautiful course! There are a few short sections through some drab industrial areas, but for the most part the route takes you on a scenic tour of Vancouver, complete with harbour, ocean and mountain views, a tour of the downtown waterfront, Chinatown, Stanley Park, and some nice residential neighborhoods west of the downtown core.

As always, the climb up and over the Burrard Bridge (twice) was a bit of a grind, but overall the course is fast and runner-friendly; just don't neglect the hill training for the final push!

Organization was superb. Other cities should come and watch how Vancouver does it, especially in terms of staggering the starts for the different races, getting the walkers away early, and avoiding the usual congestion at the start and finish lines. The start/finish got bumped from B.C. Place (large domed stadium) this year, but the replacement outdoor area was still okay.

Support along the course was amazing. Maybe it was the perfect weather, but almost all of the course had cheering spectators, sometimes several rows deep along English Bay and into Kitsilano. Water stations were well organized with lots of cheerful volunteers, and there were lots of bands and entertainment along the way to keep spirits up.

I've done this race four years in a row, and can see it being one that I continue to return to until I am no longer able to drag myself across the start line; this race should be on everyone's list to do at least once.

Way to go, Vancouver!

This was my third marathon, and I really enjoyed it. The water stations were spread out around the course at odd distances, but the crowds were excellent, and the weather was perfect. Great for my first time at this distance in Vancouver, and I look forward to challenging this course again. Look for me on the bike team next year.

This was my first marathon, and I was really pleased with my decision to choose the Vancouver Marathon as my first. The course is flat, scenic and well laid out, with literally thousands of volunteers.

The race starts out wrapping around downtown. It was a little daunting, with all of the turns. But then it quickly wraps up to gorgeous Stanley Park. There's even a portion of the race on a trail, which was a great break from the pavement. The only hill was literally crossing a bridge (over and back) - about 100 feet, which is nothing!

I can't thank the volunteers enough for making this such a great experience for me. My only suggestion would be to make package pick up a little easier to find. But I'm a newbie. Who cares about the tents and schwag? I was there to run a marathon! The weather turned out to be amazing, and the course was well marked. Overall, a great race.

Vancouver is a wonderful city. Thus, I expected a wonderful race also. Unfortunately, I was disappointed and therefore do not recommend this race. The organization was very minimal. On the other hand, the course was good, there plenty of drinks, and they had free coffee at the start and finish. The negatives: Small expo. There weren't many souvenirs for sale. Not much clothing. The running shirt was horrible. And most importantly, the medal was ridiculous. The medal does not have the city name or the date! Again, Vancouver is a nice place, but I think the marathon needs some improvement. While this is just my own opinion, I think some of the negatives mentioned above were also noticed by other runners.

The expo was small and didn't generate much pre-race excitement. There was minimal clothing for sale and no deals to be found. The shirt is ok, but it's white and boring. A lack of interesting booths made it easy to leave quickly.

The race was well organized, with lots of volunteers directing runners, and working the water, sponge, and candy stations. Signs also showed runners which direction to turn, and volunteers ensured that runners ran the right direction in isolated routes and when the marathoners/half-marathoners separated. This was a relief because there were many turns on course and by the end I was too tired to think straight.

This marathon is HILLY! I ran the Seattle Marathon in November, and it's a flat course compared to Vancouver. The last 12K stretch over the bridge requires 100% mind over body because you're exhausted and have one last long stretch to beat. I knew it had hills but didn't know the extent. Overall, I still finished with a new PB of 3:18, but for the first-time marathoner, this course could be a mega challenge.

Crowd support was good at key spots. Running the middle miles through Stanley Park was lonely, though, and I was relieved to get out and back into the main city.

The finishing line had lots of food. Some choices were a little unusual (chips and carrots), but there was plenty of food.

Overall, it was a great but challenging race.

I did the race for the second time in 2008, 10 years after I ran it as my first marathon.

I loved it just as much as I did the first time (although for 10 years I've been carrying a fear of the bridge crossing around mile 25 - it was not as tough the second time around thank goodness!!).

The crowds in West Van after Stanley Park were particularly appreciated!

I wish I lived in Vancouver to run Stanley Park all the time! (Although I do prefer the blue sky we see more often in Calgary.) Lucked out in 2008 - no rain during the race.

This time I was robo-runner, using a Garmin GPS. Anyone else using one, just be ready for a few wonky pace readings in the tall buildings for the first 8 miles or so (no problems once we got into Stanley Park - tall trees don't seem to bother GPS).

I'll be back again soon!

I have run this event four times - thrice in the half and once in the full. It is very well organized. Both routes are very picturesque and beautiful. The crowd support is fantastic. The only downside is that it always rains.

This event was well organized, with plenty of helpful volunteers. The crowds were great in the Kits and downtown areas, though a little sparse in East Van and Stanley Park. The shirt is great and the medal is a cool Inuit engraving. I'll be back next year.