BMO Vancouver Marathon: how to get there by transit
BMO Vancouver Marathon: how to get there by transit
Runners! It’s that time of year to lace up your shoes, stretch your physical (and mental) muscles, and get psyched for Vancouver’s top marathon event — the BMO Vancouver Marathon.
Make sure to mark Sunday, May 5 on your calendar, get set with your race kit, and go to the BMO Vancouver Marathon by transit.
Everything you need to know to take transit to the BMO Vancouver Marathon
Taking transit to key locations for the BMO Vancouver Marathon is hassle-free as starting lines are conveniently stationed near transit hubs.
Transit options
Transit services will operate on a Sunday schedule. Check out which bus routes will be modified to accommodate the BMO Vancouver Marathon.
Marathon and Half Marathon
Get everything set before your run day and save these details to your smartphone’s calendar:
- ? Start line: Queen Elizabeth Park (Midlothian Ave & Clancy Loranger Way)
- ⌚ Half Marathon start time: 7:00 a.m.
- ⌚ Marathon start time: 8:30 a.m.
- ? Finish line: W Pender St (between Bute & Thurlow)
- ? Gear check Expo pre-race: May 3 and 4 at Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place (PS: there’s no gear check at the start line.)
BMO Vancouver Marathon / RUNVAN
Shuttle service
Shuttle service is available for registered Marathon and Half Marathon runners for $5 plus tax. Pick-up locations include Scott Road Station, Brentwood Town Centre Station, Patterson Station, Lougheed Town Centre Station, and Lonsdale Quay Bus Exchange.
Visit the BMO website for departure times. Shuttles will depart on time so make sure to arrive at least 20 minutes if you need to park your car or bike nearby.
Make sure to register online before Tuesday, April 30 at 8:30 p.m. for the shuttle service as space is limited.
Canada Line
Taking the Canada Line to the BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon start line is also easy! The start line is located near Canada Line’s King Edward Station and Oakridge–41st Avenue Station.
Canada Line will operate on a Sunday schedule on May 5, with first trains departing:
- Richmond–Brighouse Station at 5:02 a.m.
- YVR–Airport Station at 5:07 a.m., and
- Waterfront Station at 5:28 a.m.
Visit the website to see more departure times.
8 km run
- ? Start line: Stanley Park (Lagoon Dr & Stanley Park Dr; near Ceperley Park)
- ⌚ 8 km run start time: 9:30 a.m.
- ? Gear check: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5.
- ? Finish line: W Pender St (between Bute & Thurlow)
Shuttle service
The route for 19 Stanley Park/Metrotown will be modified so make sure to catch the free shuttle service to get close to the start line. There are free shuttles for all 8 km runners from 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 5.
- ? Pick up near Burrard and West Pender Street which is steps away from Burrard Station.
- ⌚ Runs every 10 minutes from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Bus route detours
Several bus routes will be modified at certain times during the day on Sunday, May 5 to accommodate the Marathon. The following routes are affected. Click on each to see alerts specific to that route.
- 2 Macdonald/Burrard Station
- 4 UBC/Downtown / Powell
- 5 Robson/Downtown
- 6 Downtown/Davie
- 9 Alma/ Commercial-Broadway Station / Boundary
- 10 Granville/Waterfront Station
- 15 Cambie/Olympic Village Station
- 17 Downtown/Oak
- 19 Stanley Park/Metrotown Station
- 22 Downtown/Knight
- 25 UBC/Brentwood Station
- 33 UBC/29th Avenue Station
- 41 Crown/Joyce Station
- 49 UBC/Metrotown Station
- 99 UBC B-Line/Commercial–Broadway B-Line
- 160 Kootenay Loop/Port Coquitlam Station
- 210 Burrard Station/Upper Lynn Valley
- 211 Seymour/Phibbs Exchange / Burrard Station
- 240 Downtown/Lynn Valley
- 246 Downtown/Highland
- 23 English Bay/Main Street Station
Bike then transit
If you plan to cycle that day, there are parkades, lockers, and racks available near transit.
Drive then transit
We also have Park and Ride lots near transit hubs where you can park your car for a day rate of $2 or $3.
How to pay for transit
Paying your fare is easy. You can simply tap your contactless Interac debit card, as well as American Express, Mastercard, and Visa credit cards at faregates at stations and card readers onboard buses.
Have a Compass Card? You can load it online ahead of the marathon day. Note that it may take up to 2 hours for the system to update the card when loaded online. To add balance instantly, reload your card or purchase single-use Compass Tickets at Compass Vending Machines available at all SeaBus, SkyTrain, and West Coast Express stations.
Where to go after the marathon
Block parties will take place around Vancouver during and after the marathon for runners and cheerers to enjoy live music, family-friendly activities, and snacks.
Care for discounts? Check out translink.ca/offers! You can redeem special offers from attractions, breweries, and restaurants simply by showing your Compass Card or proof of same-day fare.
If you’re visiting Metro Vancouver from out of town, welcome! The region has plenty of sights you wouldn’t want to miss, and they’re accessible by transit!
