8K, half marathon sold out at Royal Victoria Marathon

The 8K event at the Royal Victoria Marathon is sold out, almost a full week before the race on Oct. 11.

Organizers had capped the 8K at 2,500 participants. There are 11,640 runners entered in the 8K, half marathon, marathon and kids run events – an increase of 23% from this time last year.

The half marathon sold out in early Sept.

There is still space in the marathon, and entries will be accepted until Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

The marathon is a certified Boston Marathon qualifier and was chosen by BC Athletics to host the 2009 Provincial Marathon Championships for men’s and women’s junior, senior and master runners.

There is $26,000 available in prize money with $3,000 each going to the top male and female and a $5,000 bonus for a new men’s or women’s course record run by a Canadian. In 2006, Steve Osaduik broke a 25-year record by winning the Marathon in 2:16:49.