For anyone who has run the First Half, previously known as the First Half Half Marathon, over the past 30 years, knows all about signing up early, as it sells out each year. But there is a reason for FOMO; it’s a fast course run in a stunning setting.
As it should be, there were clear skies, calm conditions, and an electric atmosphere on Sunday morning as runners took to the Vancouver Seawall for the First Half 2026, which is the opening event of the RUNVAN Race Series. Once again, the race lived up to its reputation as possibly Canada’s fastest half-marathon, drawing an elite field.
Olympian and national marathon record holder Cam Levins led the men’s race, crossing the finish line in 1:01:46, second only to his own event record of 1:00:18 set in 2023, which is the fastest half-marathon time on Canadian soil.
Taking second was Vancouver’s Justin Kent in 1:03:29, and finishing third was fellow Vancouver athlete Thomas Nobbs in 1:03:42.
On the women’s side, Canadian Olympian and national record holder Natasha Wodak claimed the women’s title in 1:11:51, her fifth win at the event. Wodak now holds three of the top four best all-time, led by her 1:10:17 in 2023. Wodak was the first Canadian to break the 70-minute mark, having run 1:09:41 in 2020 at the Houston Half Marathon.
Fellow Vancouver-area and Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky clocked a 1:12:41 performance for second, and Sevanne Ghazarian took third in 1:13:27. For Pidhoresky, the time was just three seconds off her personal best from Edmonton in 2018.
It was middle-distance specialist Ghazarian’s debut in the half-marathon. The Cambridge, ON native has a twin sister, Madeleine, who also runs competitively.
2026 top-three
Men
- Cam Levins – 1:01:46
- Justin Kent – 1:03:29
- Thomas Nobbs – 1:03:42
Women
- Natasha Wodak – 1:11:51
- Dayna Pidhoresky – 1:12:41
- Sevanne Ghazarian – 1:13:27
The Dan Cummings Memorial Award was presented to the top age-graded runner, Maria Zambrano, who ran 1:18:08 in the F55-59 category, earning a 97.71% age grade score.
The Dan Cummings Memorial Award is presented annually to the top age-graded runner at the First Half. Honouring Cumming’s contributions to the First Half and the local running community. A perpetual trophy in his name at the awards ceremony.
The refreshed course, starting and finishing near the Roundhouse Community Centre, sent runners past Sunset Beach and along Vancouver’s iconic Seawall, offering a scenic yet lightning-fast racing experience. The elite field wasted no time pushing the pace, with Levins, Kent, Wodak, and Pidhoresky among those driving the action from the opening kilometres.
Justin Kent soaked up the unique late-race energy along Granville Bridge and the Seawall.
“Coming back and seeing all the crowds, hearing my name – really lifted my spirits,” says Kent. “That stretch near the chandelier on Granville Bridge is pretty special. I’ve raced all over the world, and not many races have that kind of atmosphere so late in the race. And honestly, I do it all for my little one, Willa – that makes it all worth it.”
“The First Half has always been a special race – fast, scenic, and rooted in community,” adds Eric Chene, RUNVAN Race Director. “Today’s performances highlight the strength and depth of Canadian distance running.”
All participants celebrated their finish with a striking finisher medal with two distinct sides. One features a new illustration of the iconic course seawall with bold colour, while the other showcases the Vancouver Coyote, the First Half’s secondary logo, created by Musqueam artist Darryl Blyth. The event also proudly supported Variety – The Children’s Charity, helping improve the lives of kids across British Columbia.
First held in 1988 as a lead-up to the Vancouver Marathon, the First Half has grown into one of the most anticipated and respected road races in the country.
