© Copyright – 2025 – Athletics Illustrated
April on the West Coast of Canada sees several races take place over a few weeks, including the fast (and sold out) Bazan Bay 5K on April 13, the Vancouver Sun Run and TC10K, the latter of which takes place in Victoria, BC. Also, there is the Vancouver Marathon weekend of events on May 4. Not too far away is the popular Bloomsday 12K in Spokane, WA. It is a busy stretch for organizers and volunteers.
Typically, the Vancouver Sun Run and the TC10K run one week apart, so racers can compete in both events, but sometimes they collide, which means athletes need to make a decision. What inevitably happens is that most of the Greater Vancouver area athletes stick close to home and race the Sun Run. And Vancouver Island runners hit downtown Victoria for the event initially known as the Garden City 10K, then by its sponsor name, Times Colonist 10K, which has been shortened to TC10K.
Vancouver Sun Run
The Vancouver Marathon takes place Sunday, May 4. This race includes a half-marathon and an 8K. Approximately 25,000 runners and walkers will sign up for the three events.
Sergio Raez Villanueva of Mississaugua, ON, won the Vancouver Marathon in 2024. He clocked a 2:22:45. His personal best is 2:18:04 from 2022 at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Argentina ValdepeÒas won the women’s race in 2:39:38. The native of Gaudloupe also won the masters 40-plus category.
The Sun Run typically attracts 40,000 to 50,000 registrants to the downtown event. It starts with a big drop over the first km. Times are not eligible for records and standards, but the prize money is decent, and the vibe is electric.
Thomas Fafard from Repentigny, QC won the 2024 edition, clocking in at 28:45. Vancouver’s Glynis Sim won in 32:17.
TC10K
The TC10K gets at least as many registrants per capita as the Sun Run. Greater Vancouver has a population nearing three million people. Greater Victoria has not yet breached 400,000, while the nearly 500 km-long Vancouver Island is double that.
The TC10K should have 10,000 registrants for the 36th annual event. The 2024 winners were Vancouver’s Thomas Nobbs in 29:43 and Vancouver’s Dayna Pidhoresky in 34:33.
The Victoria route has changed for 2025. While the final 5km remains the same — a waterfront run with vistas of the Olympic Mountains and the ocean- getting there is different. The first 5km will take runners through the urban neighbourhoods of James Bay and Fairfield, bypassing the downtown core.
Bazan Bay 5K
Leading up to these races is the Bazan Bay 5K in Sidney, located 20 minutes north of Victoria. The course is nearly flat and is very fast, with a return half that is net downhill. While there is no prize money and no international field assembled, this course could be the fastest in North America.
The 2024 winners were Daniel Damian, who finished in 14:22, and Katelyn Ayers, in 15:54.
Both the Bazan Bay 5K and the Vancouver Marathon are sold out for the 2025 editions, meanwhile, the TC10K, Sun Run and Bloomsday continue to take registrations.
