RaceGuide’s Race of the Week: ‘First Half’ Half Marathon

From the Canadian Race Guide, your complete resource for accurate and insightful info on running events and races from coast to coast, we present our Race of the Week.

Presented by the Pacific Road Runners and taking place for the 26th time in 2015, the ‘First Half’ Half Marathon runs on Sunday, February 15th in Vancouver, B.C.

If you’re not signed up already, you’re probably too late! The event is immensely popular and known to sell out it’s 2,000 spots in less than 24 hours. However, the event is unique in that it does allow transfers between runners as well as offers competitive, elite and special registrations.

The race takes place from the Roundhouse Community Centre in downtown Vancouver at the corner of Pacific Boulevard and Davie Street. The route is an extremely scenic 21.1K/13.1M certified course that travels along the Seawall to English Bay, through Stanley Park and back again. Note: The course is marked at every mile as well as at half way.

After the race, participants enjoy a generous post-race breakfast back at the Roundhouse where the awards and prize ceremony takes place. All finishers receive a commemorative finisher’s medal and registered participants also receive a signature Mizuno short-sleeved shirt.

The ‘First Half’ is proud to once again host the B.C. Half Marathon Championships and is part of the Timex Road Race Series. As such, it is known to attract a competitive and fast field of athletes. The current course records are held by Dylan Wykes (1:04:21 in 2012) and Tina Connelly (1:12:47 in 2004).

There are awards and prizes for overall, age-group and series winners but all participants are sure to enjoy the atmosphere and experience that comes from this well-organized, scenic and historic event.

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