Hypothermic Half-Marathon goes off as planned in snow-filled Vancouver
The Hypothermic Half-Marathon in Vancouver went off as planned amidst a weekend of two race cancellations because of intense weather conditions.
Two races, one in Vancouver and the other on Vancouver Island, were cancelled Sunday because of a weather system that swept through southwestern British Columbia. One weekend race, however, went off as scheduled.
The Hypothermic Half-Marathon in Vancouver, held on Saturday, is all about battling tough winter elements. The race series, put on by the Running Room, includes stops across Canada at various times early in the year. Metro Vancouver received approximately 20 cm of snow this weekend leaving thousands without hydro and interrupting travel and race plans. An estimated 2,000 runners were affected by the Vancouver ‘First Half’ Half-Marathon cancellation with an additional 400 affected at the Sooke River 10K.
RELATED: Race director explains tough decision to cancel 2017 Vancouver First Half.
According to Daily Hive Vancouver, approximately 70 per cent of the 223 registrants opted to test their physical fitness on Saturday. The event, held at the Jericho Sailing Centre, was held in a different part of the city in comparison to the Vancouver ‘First Half’ Half-Marathon. The race had a two-loop course of Spanish Banks, Locarno Beach and Jericho Beach while the Vancouver First Half was scheduled to be run downtown and in Stanley Park. (Results can be found here.)
RELATED: Vancouver’s winter weather chaos no match for UBC track team.
Not only did snow present a challenge when running the race itself, one hurdle that locals had to overcome was physically getting to the race. Roads were in poor shape as heavy snowfall blanketed much of the city making commutes difficult. (See below, for example.)
Check out some of the photos from the Feb. 4 Hypothermic Half-Marathon from Vancouver. Got one that we missed? Tag @canadianrunning on Instagram.
Photos
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