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Jun 10 2017
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Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k – Elite Field

By | Elite Athletes, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

 

Scotia HalfIntroducing our Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k Elite Field.

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Male Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
1 Kangogo Kip Lethbridge AB
2 Toth Thomas Plaistow NH
3 Wykes Dylan Vancouver BC
4 Martinson Geoffrey Vancouver BC
5 Woodfine Tristan Guelph ON
6 Kimosop Willy Lethbridge AB
7 Kasia Dancan Toronto ON
11 Bascal Shoayb Victoria BC
12 Gomez Inaki Vancouver BC
13 Browne Nicholas Vancouver BC
14 Blazey Paul Norwich UK
15 Mulverhill Chris Vancouver BC
16 Dunfee Evan Richmond BC
17 Nicholson Drew Surrey BC
21 Ziak Jeremiah Vancouver BC
22 McMillan Craig North Vancouver BC
23 Hatachi Tatsuya Coquitlam BC
24 Fieldwalker Matt Vancouver BC
25 Newby James Squamish BC
26 Portman Bryan Nanaimo BC
Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Female Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
F2 Pidhoresky Dayna Vancouver BC
F4 Tessier Lyndsay Toronto ON
F5 Wilkie Sabrina Vancouver BC
F6 Olsen Courtney Bellingham WA
F7 Coll Neasa Vancouver BC
F11 Moroz Jen Vancouver BC
F13 Lewis-Schneider Meg Vancouver BC
F14 Smart Kristin Cobble Hill BC
F15 Pepin Cheryl North Vancouver BC
F16 Dale Shannon North Vancouver BC
F17 Longridge Corri Vancouver BC
F18 Moore Katherine Vancouver BC
F22 Kassel Melanie Chilliwack BC
F23 Montgomery Darcie North Vancouver BC
Scotiabank Vancouver 5km Elite Athletes    
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
5002 Wilkie Mark Vancouver BC
5003 Watkins Catherine Vancouver BC
5004 Gustafson Kate Vancouver BC
Jun 02 2017
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Course Tips from the Front

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Some of the top athletes share their insider info on the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon course.

Catherine Watkins:

Scotia Half is a fun scenic net downhill run but don’t let that deceive you into thinking it’s an easy course. You can definitely have a fast time on the course but it is important that you remain patient for the first 15k and don’t get carried away. The long downhill from UBC can take it’s toll on your legs if you go out too fast and that can make the final climb up Burrard Bridge a long slog if your legs aren’t feeling good. This is a course where you want to be able to pick things up after the Burrard climb and feel strong on the downhill towards the finish.

Melanie Kassel:

I always warn first timers not to get sucked into hammering down that lovely hill early on in the race in order to bank a few seconds – whatever time gains are made at that point are invariably lost (plus some!) when your quads go on strike in the latter stages of the race. Enjoy a nice downhill coast but don’t shoot yourself in the foot!

Katherine Moore:

I have run a negative split on this course and my PB. With the downhills in the first half, on this course it is easy to get caught up with running too fast in the beginning. If you hold back a bit in the beginning you hopefully feel good at 10k to feel strong for the second half which has some uphill, the Burrard Bridge, and at this time of year it can start getting hot.

Dayna Pidhoresky:

So this will be my first time running Scotia Half, hence, I am looking forward to reading the tips of others!  In the past I know it has been quite hot so I think taking full advantage of the water stations from the get-go would be advantageous in the latter stages of the race.

Rika/Tatsuya Hatachi:

I try to break down 21.097km to several ‘sections’.  When I actually run the race, I try to clear them one by one, so that I won’t feel the entire course is too long.

  • From start until the ‘turnaround’ on Marine Drive (approx. 3km point): nice & easy on slight and almost unnoticeable downhill.  You can grab your good rhythm here, but do not overrate your easy feeling at this point.  Do not rocket-start or speed up. Keep the pace steady and save your energy as much as possible.
  • After ‘turnaround’ ~before long downhill to Jericho: You may start feeling ‘tired’ suddenly and already! But it’s natural to feel heavy after the slight downhill  and it’s a little bit going up.  If you are challenging and aiming for PB, expect that you may feel heavy on your legs here but you will recover later for sure. So don’t worry.
  • Downhill to Jericho: One of the feature points of this course.  Some runners like trying to keep your pace ‘down’ on downhill to reduce the impact, while other runners like ‘running like flying down’ the hill.  Believe it depends on how you’ve been training on downhill.  If you are not well-trained/prepared for this downhill, you may end up paying back later on if you go aggressive on the downhill (even for ½ marathon distance), so be careful. But if you are confident in training downhill, this is where you can save some time here for PB, so go for it!
  • After the downhill ~ Burrard Bridge: ‘Flat’ road after the downhill will definitely feel like ‘uphill’.  Small updowns and turning lots of corners just before Burrard Bridge may drag you down, but, try to think that it is ‘natural’ to feel ‘heavy’ or ‘slow’ right after the long downhill, and the half-point has passed .  Anticipate, be prepared and plan for the fatigue you will get in the second half of any race.  Re-fuel yourself constantly to maintain steady performance.
    Try to recover and get your body used to the running on ‘flat’ road.
  • Burrard Bridge: Much harder and longer than crossing it by driving, of course.
    However, be positive by thinking that the mild downhill is waiting for you toward the end of the bridge, plus, it would only be about 2km left after crossing this bridge.
    Prepare for the ‘last spurt’ after reaching the top of this bridge.
  • Pacific Blvd to the Stanley Park Finish line:  Nice and slight downhill where you can go for the last spurt! Lots of cheering crowd on both sides of Pacific Blvd will help you all the way to the Finish Line! Enjoy your moment!
Kip Kangogo:

The best course with wonderful volunteers and great cheering crowds and don’t underestimate Burrard Bridge as things can get interesting there.

Dylan Wykes:

10-15k is the toughest part of this course in my mind.  Everyone expects to come off the big hill from UBC to Spanish banks and just be able to keep rolling.  It hasn’t worked that way for me.  Expect to need a kilometre to get your groove again after the downhill.  Don’t underestimate the hill around Jericho Park.  It stings big time.  If you can stay mentally strong through this part of the course, you’ll set yourself up for a good last 6k.

Chris Mulverhill:

If you have time, I recommend running or walking parts of the course that you aren’t familiar with or that you are curious about. It’s better to know how steep a hill is or how far it seems between points before you’re many kilometers deep on the pain train.

Whether it’s your first half or your 50th, have fun. There are very few opportunities where you get to take to the streets of a beautiful part of a beautiful city with thousands of people without being considered a riot. Make the most of it.

Craig McMillan:

I have run this quite a few times before. My main point about this course would be that most people forget how much uphill / rollers there are. 3-7km are all slightly uphill and the rolling terrain after Spanish banks to Burrard Bridge can take it out of you if you went too hard in the first half. Overall, a fast and great race.

A full course description can be found here or check out the course preview video. See you on June 25 at #ScotiaHalf!

May 29 2017
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Running in the Heat

Tips For Running In The Heat

By | Toronto Waterfront 10K, Training Tips | No Comments

The weather is the most unpredictable part of race day.  You have no control over the conditions, and they can change overnight depending on what Mother Nature wants to throw at us.  Not only does the weather on race day matter, but the weather in which you’ve done your training will determine how much you’re affected by race day conditions.  If it’s been a cold winter and spring, and your target race ends up being in scorching heat, the body is in for a shock!  Here are a few things that you can do to help make your race day as ideal as possible:

Layer up

As acclimation doesn’t happen instantly when the temperature warms up, you can use your final weeks before the race for mock heat training.  This doesn’t mean trying to wrestle a treadmill into a sauna and running for hours. Full acclimatization takes about 10-14 days so an easy way to get ready for the heat is to wear an extra layer on your runs. You can wear tights over shorts and a long sleeve over a singlet to get your body slightly more adapted to hotter conditions.  Don’t forget to increase your fluid intake before/during/after to ensure you don’t risk dehydration from higher sweat loss rates.

Arrive early

If your target race is out of town, try to arrive to the destination a few days in advance.  Just one or two days of acclimation can make a big difference come race day.  Doing a shakeout run and being in the heat for a few days will not only give you an idea of what to expect on race day, it’ll help prepare your body to better withstand the heat.

Focus on hydration/nutrition

Running in the heat increases your sweat production in order to dissipate heat and regulate your core temperature. When your sweat rate increases, it decreases your blood volume. This is due to a reduction in the body’s total fluid volume if you’re not adequately replenishing.  Maintaining a normal blood volume is essential as your muscles need blood flow and oxygen delivery in order to work effectively.  However, try not to just drink water.  Consume electrolytes and carbohydrates to help to keep your internal electrolyte balance stable.  Use the classic pee test to monitor your hydration.  Aim for a light yellow urine colour which indicates you’re hydrated but not diluted.

In terms of nutrition, the fuels you ingested in cooler climates may not sit as well in your gut when the weather heats up. Practice taking in fluid and fuel as much as you can in hotter conditions to know exactly what you’ll be able to take in on race day.  On the big day, equip yourself with the fuel you need, and be sure to drink early and often while on course.

Protect your body

Apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 on any visible skin, including scalp, ears, and back of the neck, to protect it from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  But don’t just rely on sunscreen to protect you.  Wear a hat or visor, sunglasses, light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing.  The light colour will reflect the heat, and a loose fit will help to let the air circulate and cool your body down.

Start cool

If there’s a chance that you’re able to reduce your core temperature before the race starts, do it. Whether it’s consuming icy drinks, placing an ice bandana around the back of your neck, or wearing a fancy ice vest, use a method that’s accessible to you.  Being comfortably cool at the start of the race means you’ll take longer to get up to a level of overheating.  Ice on the back of the neck is a great option because when the ice melts, the cool water will trickle down your back and continue to keep you cool.

Set appropriate expectations

When coming into a hot race, understand that the temperature is going to affect the pace you’re able to hold for the duration of the race.  If you were shooting for a PB, think about setting that goal to the side if race day is going to be a scorcher.  Don’t underestimate the power of perceived exertion. Listen to your body over the splits that are displayed on your watch.

If your body is rebelling against the heat, reset and focus on the race as an experience and enjoy it.  If a personal best, or your A-goal isn’t attainable, weigh the pros/cons of finishing the race or deferring the effort to a subsequent race.  If stepping off the course is going to reduce your risk of injury and allow you to try again at a different race, it could be worth it.  Here is a chart that’s worth noting when trying to decide what to do:

DEW POINT (°F) RUNNER’S PERCEPTION HOW TO HANDLE
50–54 Very comfortable PR conditions
55–59 Comfortable Hard efforts likely not affected
60–64 Uncomfortable for some people Expect race times to be slower than in optimal conditions
65–69 Uncomfortable for most people Easy training runs might feel OK but difficult to race well or do hard efforts
70–74 Very humid and uncomfortable Expect pace to suffer greatly
75 or greater Extremely oppressive Skip it or dramatically alter goal

 

May 23 2017
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Course Preview – Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon 2017

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Our friend and Asics athlete Justin Kent did a quick course preview run of the 2017 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon course a few weeks back. Check out some videos of the preview run along with photos from last year’s race!

You can find more course info on the Half-Marathon as well as the 5k here. Looking forward to having you join us this June!

 

Mar 31 2017
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#ScotiaHalf 2017 Charity Profiles

By | Charity, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Over the next few months we’ll be profiling some of the amazing charities involved with this year’s Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k along with some of the great work they do. This week, we spoke to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.

Want to get involved? Find out more about the Scotiabank Charity Challenge here!

Royal Columbian Hospital FoundationRoyal Columbian Hospital Foundation

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is Pounding the Pavement for Preemies!

We are working together with friends and family to fundraise for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This year our goal is to raise $88,000 to fund the remaining balance of our Infant Transport Incubator. An Infant Transport Incubator is a self-contained, mobile, intensive care unit for sick or premature babies to be transported to a neonatal intensive-care unit for specialized treatment.

The Van Marrewyk family experienced first-hand the exceptional care from the RCH Hospital after the birth of their triplet daughters in 2010. Wanting to give back, they organized an annual 5km walk for family and friends that also acted as a fundraiser for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Royal Columbian Hospital. Those Christmastime walkathons raised $110,000. As the family and the Foundation discussed future fundraising efforts, we all saw an advantage in joining the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. We caught up with the Van Marrewyk’s about their involvement, their goals and their story:

How/why did you decide to use the Scotiabank Charity Challenge as a big fundraiser instead of continuing with the walk you’ve put on in the past?  Do you still put the walk on as an annual event? 
This option was brought forward to us by the RCH Foundation.  The biggest reason that we joined forces with both the RCH foundation and Scotiabank Charity Challenge was for ease and exposure.  This fundraiser was never about our family it has always been about the NICU.  When we did the walk it was located in Ladner and it was difficult to bring the entire NICU community to us so it was always more of a family and friends event.  Now the event has been able to reach more of just the NICU community and that was ultimately what our family wanted.  Our dream was to raise awareness about the NICU and give the NICU families a place to come together and celebrate our miracles that have come through the NICU. 
We do not still do the walk, like everyone these days we are a busy family and the walk consumed roughly 6-8 months of our year trying to plan, execute the walk, and then finally send out all of the thank you’s.  We know how much goes into an event like this and for the foundation to take this work off of our plate has been amazing for us.  The RCH Foundation is truly the backbone of why this fundraiser has continued.

Royal Columbian Hospital FoundationWhat made you become so involved with the RCH Foundation?  I’m sure many families have been helped through their care, but what made you decide to give back over the years? 
Without the NICU we would not have our family of 6.  Our children were very sick when they came under the care of Dr. Al-Mudaffer of the NICU.  He and his team (doctors and nurses) made sure that they would find the answers of why the kids were so sick and he did.  The RCH Foundation was our avenue to ensure that our money made it back into the RCH NICU’s system.  They have been absolutely amazing in their tireless work and continue to exceed all of our expectations.  They always make things happen and always looking our for not only the hospitals best interests but also the families of the patients.  They make things happen!

Where does the money that’s fundraised go to every year? Is it based on the needs of the neonatal unit? 
Queenie (NICU Manager) still allows us to choose where this money goes.  Every time we start a new year we are given a few choices and the monetary amount of the items that we are discussing.  The current focus is an Infant Transport Incubator. Before this, we raised money to purchase a jet ventilator, which provides a gentle and effective mode of ventilation to help the most fragile premature babies breathe, since their lungs are not developed enough for them to breathe on their own. We’ve also purchased infusion pumps that deliver fluids and medications as well as a couple of isolette incubators.
The Incubator stretcher that we are currently still working on has been a special piece of equipment because we have an agreement with the hospital that we will continue to raise funds for this piece of equipment (forecasted 3 years) but the piece of equipment has already been purchased.  The hospital is paying for this piece of equipment and we are paying them back, what an amazing relationship!

When you sign up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k, you can choose to run for the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Already registered to run? You can join their fundraising team today or make a donation to their team.

Dr. Peter AIDS FoundationDr. Peter AIDS Foundation

The Dr. Peter Centre is a leader in providing HIV care for individuals who face complex social and health issues, including mental illness, addictions, poverty, homelessness and social isolation.

Located in Vancouver’s West End, the Dr. Peter Centre provides three programs – day health, 24-hour specialized nursing care residence, and enhanced supportive housing, which together form a campus of care with integrative HIV services supporting personal autonomy and effective use of health care resources.

Now in our 8th year, staff and volunteers of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation form the “Red Ribbon Roadrunners” and run in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to fundraise. Our team runs not only for fitness, but also to support compassionate care for people living with HIV.

We chose the Scotiabank Charity Challenge as one of our yearly fundraisers because it is a world-class race that provides a seamless platform that allows us to focus our efforts and resources on fundraising. It is also a great way to meet new people, get in shape, and have fun!

The Red Ribbon Roadrunners participate annually in the Scotiabank Half-Marathon and 5k in support of the life-changing work of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Every contribution makes a difference. When you run, walk or pledge on behalf of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, you help provide vital care for people living with HIV.

Our food and nutrition program is the cornerstone of our model of care. Every day in the day health program, nutritious breakfasts and lunches are served, providing the high level of nutrition needed for a person to fully benefit from HIV treatment and to bolster the immune system.

In our day health program, a meal is so much more than a meal – it’s THE draw for engagement in HIV treatment and other HIV care.

Our goal is to raise $5000, enough to fund 1000 meals at the Dr. Peter Centre!

Dr. Peter AIDS FoundationWhen you sign up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k, you can choose to run for The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Already registered to run? You can join their fundraising team today or make a donation to their team.

lipstick-projectThe Lipstick Project

The Lipstick Project is a small, Vancouver-based non-profit that provides free, professional spa services to men, women and children who are facing significant health challenges. Through partnerships with organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and the Vancouver Hospice Society, our volunteers deliver comfort, dignity and compassionate care to those in need. We’ve never participated in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge before and are really looking forward to engaging our community in this new way this year!

lipstick-projectWe chose to participate in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge because it is an event that such a diverse group of our community can participate in. Because volunteering with our organization requires a very specific skill set, there are lots of supporters and fans in our community who can’t volunteer with us. This event is a great way to engage our entire community and rally them around a specific cause.

People can run for our charity by signing up here and joining our team. We’re very excited to make this a community-building event that is much more than just on race-day. That’s why we have partnered up with Rackets & Runners’ run club for training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. We also have an active Facebook community where we’re posting training tips, gear info, stretching videos, and different tidbits to help people make the most of this experience.

The funds raised will help us continue our programs and services in the coming year. We’re also always hopeful to expand the reach of our organization to serve more people, and success in this fundraising endeavour would help us to bring those expansions to life.

When you sign up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k, you can choose to run for The Lipstick Project in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Already registered to run? You can join their fundraising team today or make a donation to their team.

Check back next week – we’ll be talking to another one of our great charities! You can find the full list of our partner charities here.

Feb 14 2017
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Council for Responsible Sport – Inspire Certification

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Canada Running Series has a longstanding commitment to producing sustainable events in our community and is excited for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k‘s invitation into the Council for Responsible Sport‘s Inspire program! The new Inspire program recognizes the sustained commitment of events that have been certified multiple times and challenges them to mentor industry peers and share their stories. The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is the fourth event to earn Inspire status and the first to do so in Canada. It is the second event to earn Inspire status at the Gold level.

“The Inspire program grants events and organizers with proven records of hosting certified responsible events a position of exemplary leadership within the community of organizers positively influencing the sports events industry,” said the Council’s managing director Shelley Villalobos.

“We are pleased to welcome the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k to the Inspire program this year. We hope to elevate the level of attention to the exemplary work organizers have been doing for several years now with regards to zero waste, procurement, access, and community legacy at the event.”

Highlights of achievements in the past include:

  •  98% Waste Diversion Rate for our Expo, Start Area, Finish Area, and course with Green Chair Recycling
  • All discarded clothing from Start Area collected and donated to shelter programs
  • Majority of food purchased is locally and/or organically produced, with surplus food being donated to local food banks
  • Striving for Carbon-Neutral – all event operations and 50% of local participant travel was offset with carbon credits in 2015
  • Free post-event shuttles and bike valet reduce two-way trips and car drops
  • Marketing materials are printed using biodegradable inks on FSC certified paper

In 2017, the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k will expand upon these achievements by replacing all generators at the start/finish venues with pollution-free power stations and solar panels. Recycling and waste reduction initiatives will continue to be fine-tuned and the event will expand upon the bike valet program in Stanley Park.

Events may opt into the Inspire program on an invitation only basis after earning two consecutive certifications from the Council (certification is good for two years). The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k earned an invitation in 2017 after first becoming certified in 2013 at the Silver level, and earning a recertification at the Gold level in 2015. Program participation entails three core requirements including annual reporting on key performance indicators, mentorship of another event or organization on a specific aspect of their responsible sport programming and sharing the event’s responsible sport story publicly.

Jan 08 2017
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2017 #ScotiaHalf Shirt Options

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

We’ve just received our tentative shirt designs for this year’s Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k participant t-shirts and now we need your input! Take a look at the two options above, then vote on your favourite style. The most popular version will chosen for the 2017 Asics race shirt that all participants will receive.

Voting closes at midnight on January 12.

Shirt Options

Click to enlarge

Jun 28 2016
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Scotiabank Charity Challenge raises over $50 million for local Canadian communities

By | Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal et 5k, Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Runners at 6 marathons across the country set the pace for giving back to the community

TORONTO, ON – (Marketwired – June 24, 2016)

Since 2003, participants at six Scotiabank-sponsored road races from coast to coast have made every step of their run count, raising more than $50 million for local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This turnkey fundraising program surpassed the $50 million mark thanks to continued efforts from races in Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa and Calgary so far this year, and in the lead-up to the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5k this weekend.

06-28-16-charitychallenge1200x900The Scotiabank Charity Challenge launched in 2003 at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as a way for runners to fundraise to support local charities. Every dollar raised goes directly to the charities. Scotiabank pays for all transaction fees, credit card fees and the cost of the fundraising platform.

Scotiabank proudly hosts a Scotiabank Charity Challenge at each of six sponsored race events across Canada each year including:

For links to Scotiabank’s races and the charities supported by runners at each one, please visit the Scotiabank Marathons’ page.

“On behalf of all of my colleagues at Scotiabank, I want to congratulate all participants who have run in the Scotiabank road races since 2003 and made every step count by signing up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge,” said Kyle McNamara, Executive Vice President and Co-Head Information Technology, Business Systems, and Executive Champion for Marathons at Scotiabank. “We encourage everyone to keep the fundraising going, and to work together to support local charities that have a significant impact on Canadian communities.”

“We launched the Scotiabank Charity Challenge in response to runners who told us that they wanted to make their race more meaningful,” said Jacquie Ryan, Vice President, Sponsorships at Scotiabank. “It has been an honour to witness the commitment and dedication of all participants – both on the course and off – as we have grown this fundraising program together.”

About Scotiabank
Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

Jun 06 2016
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Meet the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Pacer Team: Christy Baker.

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

By Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Pacer, Christy Baker.

VANCOUVER June 6th 2016. My first half-marathon was the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon in 2003. I had just moved to Vancouver and running was my way to get to know the city and meet new friends. Fast forward to 2016 and I have done this race 5 times and a total of 15 half-marathons, one full marathon and numerous trail races including Seek the Peak! I am happily married with two kids and life is busy, but running not only keeps me fit and healthy, it is my social outing with friends or my husband, hitting our local trails minutes away from my front door.

I know we all lead busy lives and there is a fine line between balance and chaos. I try to keep this balance by running early in the morning, on the weekend, during my work day or after my kids go to bed. I find half-marathon training works with my family life and it is not so demanding that it takes away from every day life and fitness activities.

christy svhm 2

Training for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon this year, I have recruited some friends to run the distance with me as I will be the 2-hour Pace Bunny. This will help me practice staying on a consistent pace because I am usually a fast starter and then need to dig deep the last few kilometers to finish! My half-marathon times have improved over the last three years and I am happy with my consistently finishing between 1:45 -1:48. I am looking forward to leading the 2-hour pace group and encouraging others to get a personal best or just finish their first half-marathon. I look forward to seeing you at the start line on Sunday June 26th and if you see me, please say hi! I love to chat when I run so let’s make this an awesome half-marathon!

Register to run the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon with Christy on Sunday June 26th. Sign up here.

 

May 23 2016
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Rob Watson on the #ScotiaHalf Course

By | Elite Athletes, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments
May 23, 2016 – by Rob Watson

Elite athlete Rob Watson has raced the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon a number of times and has trained on every square inch of the course countless times, so we asked him for a play-by-play of the race course and tips for Race Day.

Vancouver has some truly wonderful races, but if you ask me, I’d say that the Scotiabank Half-Marathon is the best one going. Why would I say that? Well for many reasons, but for today I am going to focus on just one very specific, very awesome reason; the course. This race has the most spectacular course around. It offers up a beautiful tour of our incredible city. From UBC, all the way to Stanley Park, this course showcases many of the best parts of Vancouver. If you are properly trained and ready for the intricacies of the course it can be very fast. I’ll take you through the race and give you a few tips on how to make sure you are ready to roll come June 26th.

Ok, let’s get started. Firstly, when the gun sounds, get going! The first couple km are quick fast – take advantage. Obviously you don’t want to go off sprinting like a crazy person, that’d be unwise, but don’t be afraid to let the legs stretch out a bit. If you are 5-10sec faster than goal pace do not stress, that’s just how the first few km’s rolls.

Settle in and try to find your rhythm during the rest of your time up at UBC, there are some gradual ups and downs, but nothing too gnarly. Settle in and relax.

Coming down off UBC we have ourselves a big ass downhill. This can be awesome, but it can also be tricky. Be careful here folks, running downhill is a great way to open up the stride and gain some time, but if you are overeager you risk putting junk in your legs. The pounding from that downhill mile can beat you up a bit. Two tips; 1) Practice running downhill. Get the body used to that pounding. 2) Come race day be patient and run light going down this hill. Let gravity do the work and save the legs for when you really need them (hint; we have a bridge to deal with at 18km).

So now you are at the bottom of the downhill. Hopefully you enjoyed the amazing views and the smooth ride on the way down. Now we are at Spanish banks and about 10km into the race. Use this time to settle back into rhythm. It will probably feel a bit funny at first as you change your stride back to a flat running gait. Don’t panic, the next 3km are pancake flat, plenty of time to get things sorted. You’ll be fine.

At 13km there is a little climb. Not gonna lie, it stings. The good news is that it is short-300m(ish), and when you get to the top there is a nice 1km downhill. That’s one of the good things about this course, after every uphill there is a nice downhill to recover on right afterwards.

At 15km you will roll past LuLu Chip’s place. Run strong and look pretty, the crowds are great here and you are making your way home. Enjoy the sights and sounds as you run past Kits beach and into the Kits Point area.

Alright then. Let’s talk about this bridge. At 18km you are going to come around a corner and encounter the Burrard Street Bridge. This is an iconic Vancouver structure that connects Kitsilano to Downtown. It is also an uphill, and it will be uncomfortable. Just get yourself to the top! Use the crowds, look at the mountains and think about all the training you have done to get to this point. Remember that it is all worth it. Once you crest this badboy it is all downhill to the finish.

After the bridge life is good. The crowds are rowdy, the course is downhill and you are so dang close to that finish. It is truly a wonderful feeling to run into Stanley Park to cross that finish line. Stanley Park is the jewel of Vancouver and boy does she look good after 21km of hard running. Cross the line, do a little dance and then drink a beer – you will have earned it.

Good luck folks.

Race Route

Want to join Rob on June 26? Sign up today at VancouverHalf.com and remember that prices go up on June 1st, so register today to save!

For more details on the course, check out the map, elevation profile, and course description.