Name: Thousands set to participate in Royal Victoria Marathon on Sunday
Uploaded: 2022-10-08T20:37:48-04:00
Duration: T0H2M11S
Description: Roughly 8,000 runners are expected to participate in the Royal Victoria Marathon, which takes place all day Sunday (Oct. 9) throughout downtown Victoria and Oak Bay.

Posted: Oct. 8, 2022 4:33PM | Last Updated: Oct. 9, 2022 1:02PM

CHEK

Roughly 8,000 runners are expected to participate in the Royal Victoria Marathon, which takes place all day Sunday (Oct. 9) throughout downtown Victoria and Oak Bay. The marathon will result in numerous road closures throughout Victoria and Oak Bay. (CHEK News)

Thousands of runners will hit the streets of Victoria and Oak Bay tomorrow.

Roughly 8,000 runners are expected to participate in the Royal Victoria Marathon, which takes place all day Sunday (Oct. 9) throughout downtown Victoria and Oak Bay.

The early start marathon begins at 6:30 a.m., followed by the 8K run at 7:15 a.m. The marathon and half marathon main race start at 8 a.m. while the Thrifty Foods Kids Run begins at 11 a.m.

The full 42-kilometre race route begins at Menzies Street and snakes its way through Victoria and Oak Bay, ending on Belleville Street in downtown Victoria.

To allow for the race, there will be multiple road closures in Victoria and Oak Bay, starting tomorrow morning at 6:30 a.m. Closures downtown and in Oak Bay will be in effect until 2:00 p.m. Furthermore, parking will not be allowed along the race route starting at 1 a.m. Sunday and vehicles will be ticketed and towed if not moved prior to.

According to event organizers, 1,600 have registered for the marathon, roughly 3,500 are expected in the half marathon and 2,100 are registered to participate in the 8K. At least 500 are signed up for the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.

Royal Victoria Marathon is a Boston qualifier and part of the BC Marathon Championships and participants say they are eager to race up their shoes and hit the pavement on Sunday.

“We love this course,” said one couple from Seattle. “It’s beautiful and kind of more flat than your typical track and just running is great, running is healthy and trying to set a personal best every time and trying to get a little better each time.”

“It is always so interesting to go past 30 kilometres in a run, you find out a little bit more about what you’re made of,” said another participant.

Those taking part aren’t only running or walking for themselves. The CHEK Charity Pledge program continues to raise money for worthy causes and various organizations. This year’s contribution will push the number well past the $2,000,000 million mark since the program began 18 years ago.