VANCOUVER (June 25, 2023) — “Tough and beautiful” was the consensus for the 25th edition of the Vancouver Half Marathon and 5K, as more than 4,600 participants toed the line on a picture-perfect Pacific North West morning. Runners and walkers were drawn from 9 Canadian provinces and the Yukon Territory, 18 American states and 29 countries worldwide to test their fitness on one of North America’s most scenic courses that plunged from UBC down through Kitsilano. Event #4 in the Canada Running Series (CRS), the 21.1K doubled as the 2023 BC Half Marathon Championships and was part of the prestigious, new Athletics Canada Road Race Series.
Vancouver’s Thomas Nobbs (1:05:16) dominated the men’s field to cross the line more than two minutes ahead of the rest; while Scotland’s Sarah Inglis (1:15:34) held off defending champion Samantha Jory to claim the women’s winning crown. Behind them over 350 participants raised $300,000 for 29 important charities in the Charity Challenge.
“Incredible day. It never gets old seeing my community, charity runners and everyone in-between run through Vancouver,” said Ryan Chilibeck, Race Director at Canada Running Series West. “The weather, plus everyone’s energy made for a spectacular day of racing with the West Coast’s finest scenery as a backdrop.”
Rising star Thomas Nobbs got things over early as he broke from a lead pack of six around the 3km mark. By 5km (15:28) he had opened a 15 second gap and cruised down Spanish Banks and Point Grey to the finish in Kitsilano. Kevin Friesen (1:07:33) was the best of the rest, with Coquitlam’s Brendan Wong (1:07:35) just two seconds back in third. Nobbs, Wong, and Josh Kozelj claimed bronze, silver and gold in the BC Championships.
Last year’s women’s champion Samantha Jory (1:15:51) battled Inglis all the way to the finish line at Museum of Vancouver coming in 17 seconds behind Inglis. Her overall feeling? “It was tough” but she loves this course. The BC Women’s Half Marathon medalists were Inglis, Jory and Julia Hawkins (1:19:26).
Canada’s Olympic bronze medalist race walker Evan Dunfee (1:25:57) used the event as a final test of fitness before heading to altitude camp in Saint Moritz, hot weather camp in Barcelona and then the World Championships in Budapest in August. “It was ideal race day weather” said Dunfee but unlike the runners, he “enjoyed the uphill more than the down(hill)”. The heat came out to play but runners kept it cool as they cruised through this morning’s race.
There were smiles all round as this year’s 29 charity partners took home more than $300,000 to benefit many corners of the community throughout the year ahead. Cassie and Friends ($53,534.15) claimed an extra $2500 as top fundraising team. David Porte led the charge in fundraising and collected $41,542.07.
Canada Running Series returns with the Under Armour Eastside 10K on September 24th with online registration now open at: https://canadarunningseries.com/vancouver-eastside-10k/
For complete results, photos and further information: vancouverhalf.com
Men’s Half Marathon Winners:
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Women’s Half Marathon Winners:
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Men’s 5K Winners:
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Women’s 5K Winners:
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