Third highest total in 44 years will see 12,300+ race in 2024

(Victoria, BC – October 11, 2024). After selling out both the marathon and half marathon distances in the summer, the Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM) will see over 12,300 celebrating on the streets of Victoria and Oak Bay this Saturday and Sunday. The last time the event saw such numbers was in 2010 when 14,010 registered for the event. The course and start corrals were slightly different back then, allowing for more racers on the course. By the end of the weekend, the event should surpass 2009’s total of 12,492 and become the second largest event. 

“When the marathon, and subsequently the half marathon, sold out this summer, we opened up waitlists,” stated Cathy Noel, RVM Race Director and General Manager. “Those lists quickly grew as the popularity of the event became evident. Our registration numbers have now surpassed 35% of the 2023 total.”

The 8K, 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run still have limited spots available, and will remain open until those too will most likely sell out on Friday or Saturday.

Marathon weekend kicks off on Friday, October 11 with the two-day Race Expo at Crystal Garden on Douglas Street, Victoria, where participants can pick up their race bibs and shirts and see an array of health and fitness exhibitors. The breakdown of numbers participating as of Friday: 2800 in the Marathon, 5250 in the Half Marathon, 2876 in the 8K, 863 in the 5K and 526 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.

“What an exciting year for the event, which we hope will continue to build as we celebrate our 45th annual event in 2025,” says Patti Hunter, President, Victoria Marathon Society. “Being able to show off Victoria to the over 61.1% of registrants coming from outside of Greater Victoria, including places as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Mexico and more, is something we couldn’t do without our partners and volunteers. On behalf of the board we thank everyone for the support and hope they all have a great race on Saturday and/or Sunday.” 

Peninsula Co-op is one of these excellent partners, sponsoring the volunteer program. It takes over 1200 volunteers to put on the Royal Victoria Marathon.  

“Peninsula Co-op is proud to support the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time in order to make the marathon a success each year. The Royal Victoria Marathon unites so many from our city, and as a co-op supporting the community by giving back where we live, work and play is fundamental to our business.” says Lindsay Gaudette, Director, Marketing and Community Relations, Peninsula Co-op. 

The CHEK Charity Pledge Program is in its 20th year and this year 18 charities are participating. Prior to race weekend, the charities had already raised over $104,000, adding to the $2.35 million that has been raised since its inception.

Men’s marathon

The 2024 Royal Victoria Marathon’s flagship event features three Kenyans who have all run faster than the RVM current course record. They are Josphat Kipkoech (2:09:29), Edwin Koech (2:10:13) both from Nairobi and Pius Kipchirchir Kangogo with his best of 2:12:00 from Kapsabet. The fastest Western Canadian is Craig McMillan from North Vancouver with his 2:26:15 pb.

Women’s marathon

In the women’s marathon race, the 2017 RVM winner is back. Lissa Zimmer is ready to take on the field Sunday and improve upon her personal best of 2:46:13, which she achieved in Chicago in 2019. Kaitlyn McNamara from Olympia, WA and Roslyn Boutin from Vancouver will give Lissa a run for her money, both having run well under 2:50:00.

The Royal Victoria Marathon is part of the BC Super Series, serving as the Marathon Championship. 

Men’s half marathon

A dozen men have registered for the half marathon with personal best runs of  1:10:00 or faster while another 13 in various masters age-groups have run from 1:11 to 1:21 as masters. The field is led by Rotich Hosea Kibet with his 1:00:00 performance. He is from Kapsowar, KE. An interesting battle will take place between the second and third seeds, Andrew Davies and Brian Masterson both from Seattle and with PBs of 1:04:33 and 1:05:28 respectively.

Locally, Victoria's Daniel Mulushet Zewdu is expected to battle with the two Americans. Zewdu is coached by two-time Olympian Bruce Deacon, who happens to be the Royal Victoria Marathon online coach.

Women’s half marathon

The defending RVM half marathon champion Mackenna Fitzgerald has returned. The Calgarian won last year in the time of 1:15:03. The athlete with the fastest personal best is Melissa Duncan from Upwey, AUS. She has run as fast as 1:13:00. Ally Ginther of Greater Vancouver, now living in Calgary, should mix it up with Melissa and Mackenna. She owns a 10K personal best of 33:50.07. This is her debut in the half marathon. There are 13 women who have or are expected to run 1:20:00 or faster. Twelve more are listed to go under 1:30:00, while 70+ athlete Roslyn Smith from Courtenay, BC  is looking to go for the age-group best known time in the world and the Canadian record.

This event is also the Canadian Masters Half Marathon Championships for masters 35 and older. 

Men’s 8K

In the 8K, five men are expected to challenge for the course record that is currently held by Justin Kent at 23:14. They are Eric Nzambimana  from Burundi (23:05), Aaron Ahl from Calgary and John Perrier from Toronto who are both expected to go 23:10 based on their performances over other distances.

Locally Charlie Mlotshwa and UVIc Vike Gabe Van Hesewijk, as well as John Rasmussen, a Victoria triathlete who is on the national team, should push the leaders and possibly finish sub-24:00. Fifteen of the 20 seeded men are expected to run sub-28.

Women’s 8K

Two-time Olympian Genevieve Lalonde is back in action after giving birth to a girl earlier this year. Her first race back was the Eastside 10K in September. She has at least twice held the national record in the 3000m steeplechase and won the Pan Am Cross Country Cup at Bear Mountain. Seeded second is former UVIc Vike Bridget Pyke, now living in Calgary. Julie Hawkins from Vancouver is the third seed. Eight of the 12 seeded women are expected to run well under 30-minutes on Sunday.

Weekend Schedule

Race Expo, Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas Street

Friday, October 11, 11:00 am  – 6:00 pm

Saturday, October 12, 9:00  am – 6:00  pm

Race Day, Saturday, October 12, Willows Beach Oak Bay

5K Start - 9:00 am

Thrifty Foods Kids Run - 10:30 am warm up, 10:45 am 7-12 year old start, 11:00 am 0-6 year old start

Race Day, Sunday, October 13, Downtown Victoria

8K Start - 7:15 am

Marathon/Half Marathon Start - 8:15 am

For more details visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com