© Copyright – 2026 – Athletics Illustrated
There are four races in April and the first week of May on the West Coast of Canada that are worth considering for travelling competitive athletes and beginners alike. They are taking place back-to-back from Sunday, April 12, to Sunday, May 3rd. The first is a fast 5 km event on Vancouver Island, and the final one is a marathon in Vancouver.
Bazan Bay 5K
The Saanich Physio+ Bazan Bay 5K offers a ripping fast course, a small field and a stunning seaside race venue. The first half of the race gently, almost imperceptibly, climbs to the halfway point, a 180-degree turnaround, then runners follow the same route back, with a fast 2.5 km downhill second half.
This course is likely the fastest in Canada and potentially North America, and is certified for records and standards.
The race is capped at 900 registrations and will sell out. Between 600 and 700 runners will be on the start line at Tulista Park in Sidney, BC. Gun goes at 11:00 AM sharp.
2026 is the 30th running of the Bazan Bay race, which was an 8 km event for the first six years.
Course records
- Men: 14:12 – Geoff Martinson (2012)
- Women: 15:48 – Malindi Elmore (2014)
2025 Men’s podium
- Brandon Vail – 14:31 – Speedfarm
- Jaxon Kuchar – 14:33 – University of Victoria Vikes
- Chris Gregor – 14:42 – Mercury Rising Triathlon
Women’s winner
- Natasha Wodak – 16:01 – Prairie Inn Harriers
- Zoe Hamel – 16:37 Esprit RC
- Marisha Thompson – 16:39 – Victoria Endurance Track Club
Map
Vancouver Sun Run
The Vancouver Sun Run will go on the following Sunday, April 19th.
The iconic event is the opposite of the Bazan Bay 5K. If you want mass participation events (up to 50,000 people), downtown atmosphere, and a course so fast it is not record eligible, then the Sun Run is your event.
The race was started in 1985 by Dr. Jack Taunton, Dr. Doug and Diane Clement.
Course records
The course has changed a few times over the years.
27:31 — Joseph Kimani (Kenya), 1996
30:58 — Isabella Ochichi (Kenya), 2006
Fast Canadians
Cameron Levins – 28:23 (2025) – Black Creek, BC
Lucas Bruchet – 28:29 (2022) — Vancouver, BC
Thomas Fafard 28:45 (2024) — Repentigny, Quebec,
Other notable fast Canadians
Kieran Lumb — 28:42 (2025)
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot — 28:52 (2025)
Eric Gillis — wins in 29:06 (2011) & 28:52 (2016)
Early Canadian standouts
Rob Lonergan – 28:47 (1985)
Graeme Fell – 28:48
Angela Chalmers – 31:05 (1996) — fastest Canadian ever
Émilie Mondor – 31:10 (2004)
Natasha Wodak – 32:38 (2019) — top modern-era Canadian
Other notable fast Canadians
Glynis Sim — 32:17 (2024), 32:54 (2025 winner)
Leslie Sexton — 32:22 (2023), 32:37 (2022 winner)
Malindi Elmore — 33:06 (2010 winner)
Map
TC10K (Times Colonist 10K)
Initially named the Garden City, the capital of the province of British Columbia has long been known for its city gardens and annual flower count. Later, the newspaper of record took over sponsorship, and it has been known as the TC10K or Times Colonist 10K since.
The TC10K is the little brother of the Vancouver Sun Run and will see registrations top 12,000. On a per capita basis, the TC10K is comparable in size to the Sun Run (Pop Greater Victoria: 400,000, Greater Vancouver (lower mainland): 3,100,000.
Started in 1990, it was often a target of travelling elite athletes who would look to race a few times while on the West Coast of Canada. Currently, the organizers, RunSport focuses prize money and elite athlete coordination on Canadian talent. Athletes from around the province also like to do both races, as they typically happen on back-to-back weekends (sometimes they conflict).
The 2026 edition happens on Sunday, April 26.
Map
Records
28:47 — Simon Chemwoiyo (Kenya), 1995
32:56 — Karolina Jarzyńska-Nadolska (Poland), 2011
Fast Canadians
Kelly Wiebe – 29:08 (2015)
Liam Donnelly – 29:48 (2025)
Sarah Inglis (Scotland/Canada) – 32:23 (2019).
Dayna Pidhoresky three-time winner (2017, 2018, 2025) with a 33:11 performance in 2018.
Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon
The BMO Vancouver Marathon is a popular event. While the Sun Run signals the launch of spring and warmer weather, as well as outdoor activities for the people of Greater Vancouver, the marathon weekend heats up in more ways than one.
The race, launched in 1972 by the Lions Gate Roadrunners, first saw just 32 finishers. Last year, the event drew 25,000 registrants across its various distance events, including the half-marathon, marathon, and an 8 km run.
Records
Marathon (42.195 km) records
Men’s Event Record: 2:13:14 – Garry Henry (AUS), 1980.
Women’s Event Record: 2:34:27 – Dayna Pidhoresky (CAN), 2023.
Modern Course Record (Men): 2:14:32 – Dominic Arce (USA), 2025. He broke the previous modern course mark of 2:15:01 set by Yuki Kawauchi in 2019.
Canadian Course Record (Men): 2:22:45 – Sergio Ráez Villanueva, 2024.
Half-marathon (21.1KM) records
Men’s event record: 1:02:36 – Paul Kimaiyo Kimugul (KEN), 2014.
Women’s event record: 1:12:33 – Mina Ogawa (JPN), 1996.
Canadian record (women): 1:12:58 – Natasha Wodak (CAN), 2017.
Canadian record (men): 1:04:10 – Andrew Davies 2025.
