Vancouver Marathon 2026: New Route Showcases Olympic Village and False Creek

The Vancouver Marathon Society has unveiled a significantly redesigned course for its 2026 race, routing the full marathon through the Olympic Village, Kitsilano, and a newly added section along the seawall from Granville Island to Vanier Park.

The redesign is the most substantial change to the course since 2009 and responds to years of feedback from participants who wanted more waterfront running and fewer out-and-back sections.

"We've been listening," said race director Janet Macpherson at Thursday's announcement. "This is a course that shows off what Vancouver is — the water, the mountains, the neighbourhoods. We think it's the most beautiful urban marathon route in North America."

The finish line moves from Queen Elizabeth Park to Concord Pacific Place on the north side of False Creek, allowing for a larger festival village with better spectator access and public transit connections.

Registration for the May 3rd, 2026 race opens February 1st. Early registration pricing is $139 for the full marathon, $99 for the half marathon, and $59 for the 8-kilometre run. The event sells out annually and drew 18,000 participants in 2025.