Destination Race: Vancouver’s Eastside 10K

Story by Alison Davidson

In its short, three-year history, the Eastside 10K has become one of the most popular races in Vancouver. Now heading into its fourth year, the chance to run through the city’s oldest neighbourhood has made this race a highlight of the Vancouver fall racing calendar. Race directors Clifton Cunningham and Tom Skinner say the lack of a fall 10k that avoids the now overdone setting of Stanley Park led them to develop a neighbourhood race on Vancouver’s eastside. “Vancouver isn’t a very old city, but we wanted to highlight our most historic and vibrant areas,” says Cunningham. “It’s a unique neighbourhood, it’s the heart of the city.” In fact, organizers made the popular decision last year to emblazon the city and mountain skyline onto comfy cotton blend T-shirts for runners instead of the usual technical shirt.

The course has rolling hills and a lollipop route, starting and ending downtown by the Beatty Street Armoury. The first kilometre is fast – runners fly down the Georgia Viaduct to Strathcona, Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood, and into a short climb past its picturesque homes. A sharp left at Strathcona Park takes runners into a winding route across East Hastings into old Japantown, an area heavily influenced by CP Rail, the B.C. Sugar Refinery and the Hastings Mill. There’s an aid station here at the 3K mark – also the 7K mark on the return – before the course turns left onto Alexander Street, which, at the turn of the last century, was Vancouver’s Red Light District.

From here it’s a fun downhill into trendy, touristy Gastown, an entertainment district known for its nightlife and loft living. “My favourite thing about the Eastside 10K is running through Gastown with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings,” said 2015 participant Greg Faber. “On race day last year it was pouring rain, but it actually made the experience extra-special.” The halfway point is here and runners make two sharp left turns that take them past the statue to Gastown’s namesake, “Gassy Jack.”

Leaving Gastown behind, the course begins its first long hill up Powell Street, home to the annual Powell Street Festival, before the course meets itself at 7k. Runners cross back over East Hastings and up a short, steep hill to Prior Street for the final hill. The last kilometre is what Cunningham describes as a “character-building” ascent
back up the viaduct with the finish line in sight the whole way.

The Eastside 10K also runs through some of Vancouver’s most disadvantaged areas and has a fundraising component. The race has raised $2,800 for the official charities last year, the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, Watari Counselling and Support Services, the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society and the Breakfast Club of Canada. There was an additional crew challenge as well, last year’s top fundraisers were the East Van Run Crew and Fraser Street Run Club. In return, runners get a well organized race with prizes, good food, a finisher’s medal, shirt and a connection to this great community.

WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO EAT: 

The race course skirts Vancouver’s Chinatown and it’s definitely worth a return to see the historic buildings. If you like tours and your legs have recovered from the race then you might join a bike tour with Cycle City Tours.
If you’re all about recovering in style, then Vancouver’s Eastside is a hub for craft breweries. No visit to this area is complete without stopping for a few tasters or taking a tour with Vancouver Brewery Tours. The race course passes Postmark Brewing (55 Dunlevy Ave.) so runners may want to revisit the area, but other great local breweries include Bomber Brewing (1488 Adanac St.), Strange Fellows Brewing Company (1345 Clark Dr.), Main Street Brewing (261 E. 7th Ave.), Parallel 49 (1950 Triumph St.), and Powell Street Craft Brewery (1357 Powell St.).

There’s a ton of great eateries in the area that many runners will pass in the race. Locals love Gastown mainstays
such as The Flying Pig (102 Water St.), and L’Abattoir (217 Carrall St.), both serving Canadian-style cuisine, or
Chambar Restaurant (568 Beatty St.), which sits right by the start/finish line and is known for its French comfort food and great brunches. Nearby Commercial Drive is a popular spot for Latin and Italian food. If you like a bit of culture with your Caribbean food, then Havana (1212 Commercial Dr.) is the place to go, with a theatre around the back and regular comedy and poetry readings.

Date: Sept. 17, 2016

Distance: 10K

Fee: $40 

Runners: 1,720

Alison Davidson divides her loyalties between the West Van and East Van run crews. Her knowledge of craft breweries comes solely from running circles around them with the East Van Run Crew.