Lace up those running shoes – the 2026 BMO Vancouver Marathon is back on Sunday, May 3!

Since 2006, the BMO Vancouver Marathon has welcomed thousands of athletes from around the world and showcased Vancouver’s most iconic neighbourhoods and scenery.

2026 marks 20 years since BMO took the title sponsor mantle. However, the first Vancouver Marathon dates back to 1972 when it was just a few dozen athletes circling Stanley Park using popsicle sticks to count laps. These days, technology has moved beyond popsicle sticks and you can track runners’ progress through RFID timing chips on the event’s Live Tracker.

What you need to know

Where and when:

• Half Marathon:
  • Starting line: Queen Elizabeth Park, 7:00 a.m.
  • Finish Line: Pender Street, Downtown
• Marathon:
  • Starting line: Queen Elizabeth Park, 8:30 a.m.
• 8KM:
  • Starting line: Stanely Park (Stanely Park DR and Lagoon DR), 9:30 a.m.

How to get there

Whether you’re running the full 42.2km, half marathon, 8km, or just looking for a great spot to cheer on runners and enjoy the vibes, TransLink can get you where you need to go. Post-race, rest your legs and hop on board the bus, SkyTrain, or SeaBus to head home.

We have implemented some changes to service to help you navigate and recommend using the Trip Planner to get around.

Service changes

• SeaBus sailings will begin two hours earlier than usual, with the first at 6:02 a.m. running every 30 minutes until regular service resumes at 8:02 a.m. , with sailings every 15 minutes.
• SkyTrain
  • Canada Line – Running additional trains from 5:15 to 8:15 a.m. to help competitors reach the starting line
  • Expo Line –Service begins at 7:06 a.m.
  • Millenium Line – Service begins at 6:56 a.m.
• Bus detours will be in effect on Saturday, May 2, to Sunday, May 3 due to road closures.
  • Routes affected: 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 33, 41, 42, 49, 50, 68, 84, 99, 209, 210, 211, 240, 246, 257, R4 RapidBus, and N9 NightBus.
  • Check Alerts | TransLink for the latest updates on your route.

Shuttle service

Shuttle service will be available to any full and half marathon runners who pre-registered and paid in advance. Must show race bib to board.

Brentwood Mall Station, Burnaby

• Half marathon, 5:35 a.m.
• Marathon, 7 a.m.

Patterson Station, Burnaby

• Half marathon, 5:45 a.m. & 5:50 a.m.
• Marathon, 7:15 a.m.

Lougheed Town Centre, Burnaby/Coquitlam

• Half marathon, 5:45 a.m. & 5:50 a.m.
• Marathon, 6:50 a.m.

Scott Road, Surrey

• Half marathon, 5:45 a.m. & 5:50 a.m.
• Marathon, 6:50 a.m.

Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver

• Half marathon, 5:45 a.m. & 5:50 a.m.
• Marathon, 6:50 a.m.

What happens after the marathon?

Check out one of the block parties after the race for family-friendly activities, face-painting and live music to keep the vibe alive.

• English Bay
  • When: 8:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
  • Where: Beach Ave & Gilford St.
• Kitsilano
  • When: 9:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
  • Where: Cornwall Ave & Arbutus St.
• Cambie St
  • When: 8:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
  • Where: Cambie Street and W39th Ave
• Devonian Park
  • When: 8 a.m. -3 p.m.
  • Where: Coal Harbour, 1929 W Georgia (Seawall)
• Downtown Van
  • When: 8 a.m. -3 p.m.
  • Where: Downtown, W Hastings & Burrard
• Victory Plaza
  • When: 8 a.m. -3 p.m.
  • Where: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place

 Did you know…

• The first-ever Vancouver Marathon was held in 1972 with racers completing or 26 miles. That’s 352 meters shorter than today’s course.
• Vancouver’s finish line has moved more than any other Canadian marathon. There have been eight distinct routes since 1972. The current route has been in place in 2012.
  • The womens’ record was set by Canadian Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky in 2023, with a time of 2:34:27.
  • The mens’ record was set by Yuki Kawauchi in 2019, with a time of 2:15:01.
• The first woman to ever run a marathon was Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb who raced, unsanctioned, in the 1966 Boston Marathon.
• More than 25,000 athletes will be participating this weekend, and together they will take approximately 583,000,000 steps.