Victoria Marathon - Race Reviews

I have run this marathon and half marathon many times as I live close by. It is a beautiful course but a runner has to do a lot of hill training to enjoy it. My friend from Australia ran the full this year and did not do the hill training and it found it very tough. I ran the half this year but knew what to expect. This race is not what it used to be in the way of shirts and after race food. It used to give out excellent quality garments but now they are thin and cheap and the half marathon is the same shirt year in and year out only a different colour. The food is not worth mentioning just some fruit and overly sweet cookies. There was no chocolate milk or yogurt as in previous years. When I came in there was only water and electrolyte fluid to drink. I presume they lost their sponsor for the milk and yogurt. I realize the cost of putting on these races go up every year. The little expo is good and we really enjoyed the speaker series on the Saturday. Did not go to the pasta dinner as it is too expensive. All in all it is a good race but in future we will bring our own food and put in checked bag. Nice medal. Even though it was raining there were a fair amount of spectators and musicians which made it enjoyable.

Ran the marathon for the third time in 2016. The course was one I was quite familiar with, the weather was nice. The pace group started out a lot faster than I was prepared for, so I let them go. I have two complaints about the course this year. The first was the fire truck just at the bottom of the gold course hill, not sure why it was there or why it had to turn around at that particular point. The second is the finish line experience. I finished pretty close to the cut off time. After 5-1/2 hours on my feet, I get to the finish to find all the sustenance is gone, with the exception of half a box of cookies sitting on the ground. Fortunately I passed someone trying to get rid of a small carton of chocolate milk. Other than that, it's a nice race, small enough to be enjoyable, good bling. Definitely a nice event.

This was my 28th marathon on 23 different courses. This one makes the top 10. It's a gently rolling course, but you should do some hill training. Quite a scenic course in a very charming & friendly city. We stayed 4 nights at the Royal Scot - right at the start line and very close to the finish. Did a shakeout run with the crew of a local running store in the pouring rain the day before - nice folks! If you travel to this one, be sure to take some time to check out Butchart Gardens - magnificent!

Loved the undulating course along the neighborhoods and bay front. The aid stations were great. The characteristically Victorian scenery made this a scenic, interesting, and fun event. I liked the kilometer signs rather than mile signs. They just went by all too quickly! There was some live music along the course but not much.

I ran Victoria for the second time in 2016, and was reminded of what a great event it really is. Pre-race: the expo is small but well run and everything you need. I didn't attend the speaker series but it looked pretty good. The City: Victoria is a small city with a beautiful downtown and harbor, which is where the race starts and ends. So pretty much everyone who travels to the race stays right there. The downtown is small enough that you can feel the buzz the day before the race. Course: best word to describe it is 'rolling'. Not much of it is flat, but no killers either. Scenery is beautiful - you're along the ocean for about half of the race. Aid stations were well run and well placed. Fan support: for this size marathon, (1350 runners) really good. Lots of energy (especially downtown), and no long dead spots. Post-race: great support, with plenty to eat and drink. Many pubs nearby for that first beer!

Liked this race. I'm a sucker for small, friendly races, especially when they're scenic and also run along water. Victoria is a nice city, and people are so friendly. I wish I'd stayed within walking distance of downtown (to spend my afternoon/evening the day before the race, although Capital City Center Hotel was extremely good value about 1.5 miles). If you do Early Start, they tell you to be there at 6 am for a Briefing; Briefing didn't start till 6:20, right before the 6:30 start.

INTRODUCTION: I am a race-walker with a median marathon completion time of 5:17:21. The Victoria Marathon was my thirty-fifth 26.2-miler accomplished. COURSE: It was a great day for a marathon: weather conditions at start time were a mostly cloudy 52 degrees (8 Celsius), 86 percent relative humidity, and wind from the northwest at 3 mph (5 km/h). We began our marathon journey adjacent to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, heading south on Menzies Street. Due to the storm the prior afternoon, the damp, leafy road surface was slippery. By the time we reached first kilometer, we had reversed course, heading north on Government Street, with views of the Inner Harbour on our left and The Empress on our right. We veered left on Wharf Street, continuing alongside the bay before reaching Johnson Street, heading east through downtown, with our first upward ascent (a little over 30 feet or 20 meters) just before kilometer 2. At kilometer 3, we headed south on Cook Street toward Beacon Hill Park, reaching it at kilometer 4.5. By the time we reached the eighth kilometer (fifth mile), we had completed two separate loops around the forested preserve, with the second circuit allowing us a glimpse of the Terry Fox statue. After leaving the park, we headed east alongside the shoreline, offering us our first full view of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains to the south. We also got our first whiff of sea air. This segment lasted about 2 kilometers before we headed inland and took our first pass on the mostly residential finger of the course, heading inland between kilometers 11 and 12. For the next 4 kilometers, we would head uphill to the highest part of the course, a mere 74 feet (22 meters) higher than the lowest point, at the corner of Granite Street and Mitchell Street, in Oak Bay, where afterward, we traversed through the commercial district of the municipality, before returning to the coast. Past the tenth mile and 16th kilometer, we continued east along the shoreline on Beach Drive. At the corner of Newport and Beach, we entered the grounds of the Victoria Golf Club, referred by some as The Pebble Beach of Canada. Our course rounded north at 18 kilometers, and soon afterward, we passed alongside the marina. Near the halfway mark, we entered the upscale Uplands community, where we turned around just short of halfway between kilometers 23 and 24 (15 miles) and almost entirely retraced our steps all the way back to the Beacon Hill Park entrance at Cook Street, having completed our 38th kilometer. One kilometer later, we left Beacon Hill Park, passing by Mile 0 of the Trans-Canada Highway, entering the James Bay community, initially heading west, then north, and finally east toward the finish line located in front of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, with the statue of Queen Victoria peering down on us as we crossed the finish line. Weather conditions at finish time were a mostly cloudy 59 degrees (8 Celsius), 76 percent relative humidity, and wind from the south-southeast at 8 mph (13 km/h). ORGANIZATION: Average expo for a race of this size with a limited selection of logoed race merchandise to choose fromessentially tech tees. The course bus tour was average; the driver, however, did a magnificent job of navigating his way through the difficult turns, not to mention violating several city ordinances in order to stay true to the course route. The Carbo Gala Dinner held at The Empress Crystal Ballroom was a grand affair if one was a local or national class athlete. And the addresses delivered by Darrell Fox and Joe Henderson were memorable. But if you were an out-of-province or foreign country visitor, you may have wanted to consider other alternatives. Lastly, one usually does not observe the race announcer at the finish line, but in this case it was hard not to notice Steve King, who seemed to have managed to add a little extra for a number of finishers, something like Joe Schmo, who finished first in his age group in the Upper Salt Spring Island Backwoods 10K last week, completed this race with a fine effort. But for the over five-hour marathoner, there were some issues a participant would need to have been aware of. The first one, especially if ones finish time was between 5:15 and 5:30, was which start to choose. The early start, designed for 5.5 to 7 hour finishers, commenced at 6:30 a.m., 2 hours 15 minutes before the marathon race start. These participants were subject to local traffic laws (i.e. waiting for the traffic signal to turn green), must have stayed on the sidewalk and be self-sufficient for the first hour of the race, and if the participant finished before 5 hours 15 minutes, he was disqualified. If the participant chose the regular start, he was subject to a 5.5 hour time limit. What was not stated was, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) into the race, if the participant was behind the five hour pace group, course support started to evaporate. Some of the volunteers, who were supposed to have kept traffic off of the course, were unable to do so or walked away from their post before the race was over, and the Victoria Police had some difficulty as well. It was evident the residents of Oak Bay had enough of this race and were determined to regain control of their neighborhood! And finally, at least one of the aid stations had closed shop as well. SPECTATORS: Average. Most memorable: the lone piper on the 17th kilometer. CONCLUSION: A flat and scenic marathon for the average and faster participant. For slower runners and walkers, there are plenty other venues providing better accommodation.

Victoria Marathon is exceptionally well organized (everything from informative, well-written emails every month leading up to the race to packet pickup), friendly, and SCENIC! This is the second Canadian marathon I've run (I live in Oregon), and they are different than races in the U.S. A more relaxed, casual atmosphere, especially at the start, that I love. Marathon is smallfewer than 1,600 finishers in 2014so start is delightfully uncrowded and easy to maneuver. Yes, it starts too late (8:45 a.m.) but that seems common in Canada. Marathon starts long after 8K and more popular half-marathon. Course is flat to rollingI felt there was only one 'hill' and it was neither steep nor long. Runners in race seem savvy, in a good way, so they are respectful of not getting in anyone's way, either when they slow down or enter water stations. Easy for my husband to see me several times in the second half of the race, handing me bottles of Nuun and snapping pictures. Fast course (I ran a negative split and qualified for Boston by more than 3 minutes), and great size of race field. Enough runners to provide 'rabbits' to chase, yet I never felt I had to dodge or weave around other runners. Victoria is a beautiful city, and so easy to get around. I loved walking to and from race. I recommend this race very highly, unless you like tons of spectators, a big race field, or a bustling expo. But if you're looking to run a well-organized, gorgeous, runner-centric marathon, head to Victoria!!

Overall, the race was well organized and supported by lots of great volunteers. The course is very scenic, especially the section along the waterfront, through Beacon Hill Park, and along Oak Bay and the ocean. However, the course is also somewhat hilly. Nothing too steep, but the frequency does take a toll in the later miles. The temperature for 2014 was in the high 50's, overcast, and not windy, so weather wasn't a factor. The marathon does begin at 8:45am, so weather could be an issue if it is sunny. Spectator support was surprisingly sparse, though those that did come out to cheer were friendly and enthusiastic. This was my first time in Victoria, BC and found the city welcoming and scenic. The marathon was well organized from the expo and throughout the race. I was very pleased with the light jacket we received instead of a t-shirt.

Beautiful course through nice neighbourhoods, next to the water, through parks. There could have been more water stops, but with the mild overcast temperature it was not so much an issue. Volunteers and spectators were enthusiastic. I would recommend this marathon.

Ran the 2013 marathon. From the expo to the gear check, you got the feeling you were part of the running community in Victoria. World class athletes speaking at the expo and access to training plans by Olympic Athletes. Cross the finish line and was greeted by the race director, Rob Reid, with a hand shake and a congratulations. Volunteers were excellent. Aid stations were well equipped. The best large scale marathon with a small town feel I have done. Go out and do this race!

Done the marathon twice. Victoria is a great city and very walkable. Good pubs, great hotels, stuff to do. Hotels are near the start/finish - EASY! Packet pick-up near hotels - EASY! Race shirt and jacket - Good Quality! Food after - YUMMY! Hills - rolling, not too bad. Will definitely come back another year.

The full marathon course has its share of rolling hills, some of which hurt near the end. So if you're a flat-lander like me, do some hill training. The hurt certainly doesn't detract from the wonderful course, the high energy and well stocked aid stations, the beautiful neighbourhoods and inspiring ocean views. The volunteers at the finish are supportive, friendly and there is plenty of post-race fuel for all. LOVED that we got chocolate milk! Highly recommend this one.

I love this race! I have run the half and the full and I have been totally impressed with both. The course is great, the aid stations are perfectly spaced. This year the shirt was actually a nice jacket! I love the size of it as well. It feels big because of the other races and the support of the community but while you are running you have plenty of space.

This was my 4th time running the marathon here and loved every minute of it. The course is fantastic, the organization could not be better and the fans inspiring. The weather was perfect and whole atmosphere was extremely upbeat. I only have a couple of suggestions and one is to start the marathon earlier. 8:45 am is too late on a warm sunny day. Us slower marathoners had to run in the blazing sun in mid day, had it been any warmer this would have caused problems. I heard a marathoner saying that last year she only just made it in under the five and a half hour cut off as she was having a lot of pain. I think the early start should be more flexible and allow runners five hours and longer to start early. I was in under 5 hours but I would have not have liked to worry about the cut off time if I was having a bad day. Other than these two points the race was totally positive. Rob Reid is a great race director and ambassador for the city. The jacket the marathoners received was excellent and good quality too. This race always has the best shirts and this time jackets. Nice medals and I received a beautiful age group award. Excellent job and thank you for a great race experience.

We ran the very popular half marathon. Course is beautiful - run right along the ocean. This is the 33rd year of this race, and you can tell they know what they're doing. Finish area very well organized with medals, medical support and food readily available. Lovely city and great fans along the route. Highly recommended.

Having read complaints about previous years problems with food after the race and water along the course I was a little worried. But that was not my experience in the 2012 race. The course was beautiful, the hills are rolling and scattered throughout the course -nothing too steep or long (at least compared to Seattle where I live and train). There was plentiful cytomax and water at all stops and there was loads of food after the race (I finished after 4:30 so with their early start for the 5:30+ folks, there weren't too many people finishing after me I imagine). Crowd support was sparse in places but the water and mountain views made up for it. Bib pickup was simple and the starting line organization was simple since the marathon had less than 2000 people running with a separate start time for the half marathoners. You just showed up and started off. I started toward the back and crossed the starting line just a minute after the gun time start. Victoria is a great place to visit too. I highly recommend this marathon as a destination marathon.

This was my 10th marathon and I was impressed with the organization. Quick, easy package pickup, start line was well orgainzed and aid stations were well manned. It's not an easy course, the last 15k are hilly and against the wind. Probably one of the best finish line race food tables that I've had.

My wife & I did the half as our 30th anniversary vacation and loved every minute of our stay in Victoria. The route was not difficult by any means. Running along Dallas Road and finishing in front of the parliment building was great. Great organization on race day though the race kit pick up has room for improvement. Great pubs with excellent local beers and everything is within walking distance down town. If you're interested in vacation races this should be on the list.

Done the race twice but limited aid stations that were emptied out by the the half marathon racers. Carry your own supplies. No fuel or water for 15 plus km is unacceptable. Gave the organization a pass one year, but not two. Spend more time on your athletes in the full or else just scrap it and make money off the half.

This was a very well organized event, which was what made the parts of the race itself so disappointing. I was around the 73 percentile or so on the finish list. At the turning point, 23K, there was no water available - they were out. There was Gatorade. This is pretty much how it went at a number of the hydration stations on the way back. For some reason near the end of the course there were three hydration stations within what seemed like five kilometers. What was most worrisome was that there were only two gel stations on the course (really one that you ran by twice), but on the way back there were NO gels. I had taken extra, so for me it wasn't too bad, but for some people this must have been a real problem. The course is fairly consistent with its slightly rolling hills - nothing extreme, just consistent. Book hotels early or consider a B&B in Victoria, as they are plentiful. Beautiful course!

We were - again - very impressed with Victoria. The area is beautiful, the people were extremely friendly, and the race was a good one. I wouldn't call the course among the most beautiful I have run, but it was scenic along the water, and through Beacon Hill - and interesting through the city. I also wouldn't call the course flat - the undulations kept coming, though none were overly long or steep. Overall, it was an excellent race experience, despite the hydration stops being a bit far apart early in the race and the music along the way not being as often as advertised. Fans were good and volunteers excellent. Victoria was a great destination race and we enjoyed being on the island a few days.

This was only my 2nd marathon. The organization was excellent, and the course is very nice, with a wide variety of scenery from the city of Victoria, to the small towns and along the water - all fantastic. I did not expect there to be so many hills; there was almost no flat running and there were lots of corners. I did enjoy the run, no question, and would do it again. Just make sure you book your hotel WAY in advance, as there were no hotels available within 10 miles of the start line by September 1st. My biggest surprise was the marathon did not sell out (4,000 max), though the half did (6,300 max). Great volunteers; super weather!

This is the third Victoria Marathon I have run and this was the best. Crowd support was excellent - better than marathons I have run in bigger cities. There was so much energy on the course. I liked the music better than what you get at Rock 'n'Roll marathons; the course is good; and there's excellent organization. The expo was improved over previous years. The volunteers were amazing. I only have one small complaint and it's about the food. As a slower marathoner (coming in in just under 5 hours), there was not much left in the way of food: A few sugary donuts, some fruit, and yogurt. I was looking forward to chocolate milk, maybe a muffin. These were all gone. My husband said he had seen runners taking out food to their kids. When you have been out on the course for a few hours, it is essential to replenish with food. Some marathons are handing out pre-made bags, one per runner. This is an excellent idea. I will definitely run this race again. I like its personal feel.

This was the first time I ran this marathon and I will definitely run it again. It was fun and very festive and the course was just beautiful. The block-by-block cheering sections were very entertaining. I will definitely run this again and stay an additional day or two to enjoy the city. The people of Victoria are so friendly. Thank you!

For some reason we're supposed to be happy that they dumped the title Royal Victoria Marathon for a "title sponsor." Black long-sleeve tech shirt? Trying to get me killed on winter runs? I've run this course many times. It's beautiful. But it can be hard because Victoria is plagued/blessed by wind shooting through Juan de Fuca Strait. Clears the clouds away but can be hard if its a headwind on your way back on this out-and-back course, as it was today. Bit cheap on the gels too. Just one station and they weren't exactly jumping out to give them out. Lots of water and Gatorade though. Oh well, I knocked 12 minutes off of last year's time so I've got nothing to really complain about.

For a small race (under 3,000 runners), this was well-organized, as the lovely City of Victoria comes together. I agree with the positive sentiments described in this forum; however, I will identify some caveats not mentioned. Let me preface this by saying that I have run Big Sur three times in the past four years, so that is tough to beat in terms of beauty. Most runners were from Canada or the Pacific Northwest; travel wasn't as time-consuming for those flying from the East Coast. Victoria is a three-hour, one-way by ferry (or pricey, but very worth it, 35-minute seaplane - I recommend going out by ferry and by seaplane back) when flying in/out of Vancouver. Great selection of hotels within blocks of the expo and race start/finish overlooking the majestic Parliament Building. Expo was very small, so it was quick in and out. The 8K and half-marathon races start earlier in the morning. The 8K runners finish as the marathon starts while the halfs are finishing during the first hour of the full. The course has some gorgeous water views with stunning surrounding mountains. Frankly, it was for fewer than five miles of the race. The rest winds through residential neighborhoods and a few parks (Beacon Hill is lovely with the fall colors). I had studied the course and elevation map but was surprised by the multiple sharp turns/corners, short steep ups and downs, uneven pavement in places, literal hairpin at mile 16, and sparse crowd support throughout. The out-and-back after mile 8 had you doing a net steeper return leg. There were no other timers on the course except at 13.1 miles/21 KM. Plenty of water and Gatorade in stock. There were a few pockets of cheering spectators in the last few miles. Post-race food and beverages were plentiful, and the race director congratulates each finisher himself. I did get a PR, and my husband qualified for Boston, so it was an overall fun experience, but not necessarily one that I'd return to run. Now, having Red Fish Blue Fish tacones on the wharf, or rustic Italian at Zambri's... that's worth a return.

This was my sixth marathon, and certainly the most beautiful one. Amazing spot, and great organization (even the weather was well organized). Everything was perfect.

The RVM was my sixth marathon (PR with a 3:14) and it rates as one of the best. The race was well organized at the start and finish line and had many kilometer markers. The course does have gently rolling hills, but is nothing to fear and is very scenic. Fluid stations were well stocked, although a little short at times, which made it necessary to slow down while running through. Volunteers were supportive and there were some random cheerleading girls on the course. Close to the finish line there were inspirational quotes, which was nice to see, and there were signs for 800 and 400 meters left. The long-sleeve technical shirt is well designed and fitted, and the finishing medal is stylish. The food at the finish line was unbelievable in its selection and variety: Donuts, cookies, PowerBars, fruit, bagels, muffins, yogurt, chocolate milk... by far the most superior selection! Volunteers at the finishing line were also friendly and approachable. Definitely a five-star marathon experience!

This was a world-class event. It had excellent organization and picture perfect views made this a thrilling experience, from the singing of "O Canada" at the start, to the chow lines past the finish. Great views of water and mountains for much of the course. Good crowd support. Huge number of volunteers at the frequent aid stations. The KM markers were prominently posted. Signs even told runners that aid stations were upcoming. Near the finish, signs read "800M To Go," etc. Excellent. My only minor nit to pick would that there were only two gel stations, and the second (at around 34K) seemed a little late in the course. Suggestion to runners: Pack an extra gel or two. I had heard great things about this race, and Royal Victoria certainly delivered! I'll be back in 2010.

A super experience! A beautiful, scenic course, always interesting visually with constantly changing terrain, going past classic historic buildings downtown, through lush parks, seaside roads and charming old neighborhoods, often with great views across to the mainland and the snow-covered peaks of the Olympic Peninsula. The route has a few rolling hills, but nothing unreasonable; it was challenging but not exhausting. Overall, it's an honest, fast route. Excellent organization and support along the route, both with well staffed water stations and route supervision, as well as enthusiastic spectators along all parts of the route. Victoria is a lovely city to explore; we spent two enjoyable days walking around the historic downtown area - everything including hotels, restaurants, the race expo and the start/finish areas are centrally located. Unlike some other cities, where the marathon seems to be an afterthought or inconvenience, Victoria seems to welcome and embrace the race experience. Truly world-class; my new favorite marathon.

This was marathon #19 for me. I loved the event: great people and a beautiful course. I do not really understand how it ranks #11 for BQs on this website, however. When I took the bus tour, I knew that a BQ was not going to happen of these "mild undulations." The climbs into Beacon Hill Park, over each of the headlands, and up into Oak Bay Village are relentless. And most of the hills must be run on the way back again, and be descended of course (hello, quads!). I just don't want others to be misled about these hills, as I was. I run huge hills every day, I run hill repeats, and my mileage has been between 55-60 miles per week; but my legs were like rubber by mile 18, where I fell off my pace and said goodbye to my BQ goal for this race. Having said all of that, I do recommend this race - it is gorgeous, interesting, friendly, and well worth the trip. Victoria is also a great destination for a family trip. Expo: crappy. Speakers: awesome. We stayed at Chateau Victoria, which I also loved: Free shuttle to/from the Clipper, free WiFi in our room, lots of space for family, a refrigerator in the room, a heated indoor pool, etc.

This marathon is a definite winner. The scenic course, while undulating at times, visually cannot be beat. The volunteers are fabulous and the aid stations are well stocked and manned. The race director even shakes finishers' hands as they cross the finish line. I have nothing negative to say about my marathon experience in Victoria. It was absolutely flawless and I will return again.

While I'm not a seasoned marathoner, I have run races in many other distances and I know what makes a great event. This was a great event. The volunteers and spectators are nothing short of incredible. The route is breathtaking and the start/finish will leave you feeling misty. It helped that the weather was perfect ('08 and'09), that I got a BQ, and that I won a door prize. My advice: sign up for this race, grab your beer shot from the Hash House Harriers (sp?) around the 33K mark (great fuel for that last leg), thank the volunteers, and show up for the awards afterward (great chance of winning a door prize). All around, this was a great event!

This was a very well organized event. The volunteers were FANTASTIC!!

I thought this was an excellent marathon. It is very well organized and supported. The weather was perfect, with no wind, and temps in the upper 40's at the 8:30 start. The course is not comparatively difficult, but it has a lot of rolling hills, so please be aware of that. The course is very scenic, with supportive crowds throughout. I would suggest going on one of the course bus tours on Saturday; it was very informative for me. Also, do not miss the Saturday night dinner/pasta feed at the Empress Hotel; while it may seem pricey ($35), it is well worth it and you will probably win a door prize. I had a wonderful time in Victoria and the RVM is highly recommended

This event is a first-class affair. The course has enough turns and gentle rolling hills to keep it interesting and varied in regards to intensity for the first several miles, and then the run along the coast and through the town of Oak Bay(?) is spectacular. Well placed Gatorade and water stations. The spectators were sparse at times but were very supportive, calling out your race number, etc. Volunteers were informative and helpful along the course. Nice finish area in front of Parliament and the Empress Hotel. Psychologically it helps to have the course marked in kilometers, as you get rewarded more frequently for passing each kilometer instead of each mile. Victoria is an easy city to walk around with several very good restaurants. I'd recommend this highly to those in the US looking for a nice, fall, destination marathon.