© Copyright – 2021 – Athletics Illustrated

The Victoria Marathon Society that operates the Royal Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K, will host the physical in-person half-marathon and 8K on Sunday, October 10, 2021.

2017 marathon winner Lissa Zimmer. Photo credit: Christopher Kelsall

“We are very excited to return to an in-person race and know that runners will be equally thrilled to get to a start line and experience the excitement that builds prior to the gun going off,” says Cathy Noel, GM & Race Director. “Participating in the Royal Flush Virtual Series during the summer and then the in-person race in October is a great way for us to get back to a sense of normality in our community. Many of our enthusiastic volunteers are returning and will be cheering everyone throughout the race.”

The Marathon distance will not be held this year but will return in 2022, assures Jonathan Foweraker, President of the Victoria Marathon Society.

“The Marathon has traditionally attracted participants not only from Victoria and Vancouver but across Canada and abroad. Not knowing exactly what travel will be like in the fall we would prefer to stage the 41st Royal Victoria Marathon in 2022, when we can truly celebrate a return to running,” he says. “This announcement is a great way to celebrate Global Running Day and I know lots of people will be excited to lace-up their shoes and start training for their first in-person race for over 18 months.”

The Royal Victoria Marathon became known by the title sponsor’s name GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon. The name reverted back to the original in 2020 to Royal Victoria Marathon.

The race was established in 1980. Tom Howard and Wendy Robertson were the winners that year in the time of 2:21:45 and 2:58:27, respectively. Kelvin Broad (1994 to 1998) and Daniel Kipkoech (2014 to 2018) have won it five consecutive years, while Cindy Davies was the victor six times in 10 years (1991, 1993 to 1995 and 1999 and 2000).

Event records are held by Lamech Mokono 2:13:42 (2013) and Lucy Njeri 2:37:56 (2011).

The popular destination marathon weekend is always run on Canadian Thanksgiving.