The Vancouver Sun Run is a famous annual 10K event. Attracting tens of thousands of participants and mapped out through some of Vancouver’s most beautiful streets, the Vancouver Sun Run is quite an annual tradition.
The Sun Run has been in existence since 1985 and was created by Dr. Doug Clement, his wife Diane Clement, and Dr. Jack Taunton. Their vision for the Sun Run was to encourage healthy, active involvement in sport and also to support elite amateur athletes.
The first Vancouver Sun Run was remarkably popular, with over 3,200 participants. Both Dr and Diane Clement had competed in running at the Olympic level, and were passionate about bringing together enthusiasts, elite athletes, and the community of Vancouver to welcome spring with a competitive event. The Run has been an annual tradition ever since.
Sticking to this passion for bringing people together for sport, the race now includes close to 50,000 participants from Olympic qualifiers to walkers and stroller babies. It is geared as a family-friendly event but also attracts some of the most elite athletes in the industry. The run is organized into waves based on self-selected estimated finish times. The fastest wave is “seeded,” which means the fastest runners are elite runners who have qualified to be placed in this wave.
Over the years the community involvement in the Sun Run has blossomed. The finish line is adjacent to BC Place Stadium and is filled with vendors who sponsor the run, with stations supplying food and drink samples. There is also an awards ceremony for the elite athletes, with prizes ranging from $3,000 to $50, and entertainment onstage. Scattered along the course, at the start and finish line, and at the wrap party, are local bands to provide encouragement and entertainment. The community comes out in droves to support the race, by participating, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines. This event has become a symbol of Vancouver’s heartfelt community spirit.
Stay tuned for our next article on the Vancouver Sun Run, scheduled for later this week. Join Moveo as we celebrate 29 years of the Vancouver Sun Run!
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