Run Day Schedule
| 8:30-9:45am | Packet Pick-Up |
| 8:30-9:45am | Baggage Check Open |
| 10:00am | Spring Run-Off 8k Starts |
| 11:15am | Awards Ceremony |
Subject to change before Event Day
Pre-Race
Hotel Partner
Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle | 1128 West Hastings Street | Vancouver, BC V6E 4R5
The Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown is centrally located in the heart of downtown business district and the Coal Harbour waterfront. With our inviting atmosphere and award winning CAA/AAA Four Diamond service, you'll discover a hotel in Vancouver that puts you in the centre of it all. We boast a prime location, just steps from Coal Harbour, the Vancouver Convention Centre and world class shopping on Robson Street — making the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown the perfect choice for both business and leisure travellers. We're also close to other popular attractions, such as Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium and the city's best restaurants, including the award-winning Show Case Restaurant. Our hotel is also home to some of Vancouver's premier meeting and conference facilities, specializing in hosting corporate meetings, group events and weddings. As a pet friendly hotel, we also invite you to bring your dog or cat while staying with us!
Special rate guaranteed until March 18. Reservations: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/CRSMarch2013
Runners' Packet Pickup & Late Registration
Saturday, March 23 from 10am until 4pm at Running Room, 679 Denman St
Walk up 8k registration $50 (tax included)
IMPORTANT! Please bring a printout of your registration email confirmation OR a piece of photo ID to packet pickup.
Run Day Packet Pickup
Packet Pickup will be available on Sunday morning from 8:30am to 9:45am at the Stanley Park Pavilion.
Picking Up For a Friend
If you have someone picking up your packet for you they will require a copy of your email confirmation and a one-liner that states this person has permission to pick up your kit for you.
If you no longer have a copy of your email confirmation, make sure your name is listed on the confirmation list and then the only thing the person will require is the one-liner that states that you give them permission to pick up your kit for you.
Mylaps BIBTAG Timing System
Vancouver Spring Run-Off 8k will use the Mylaps BIBTAG Timing system. This means you only have to pick up your BIB at packet-pick-up/registration; this timing chip is embedded in your bib number. On race day, you should wear your bib #/BIBTAG on the front of your shirt or jacket. For optimum performance DO NOT bend, fold or mutilate your bibtag! And remember, now it's "NO BIB = NO TIME!"
BibTag Instructions — READ CAREFULLY
Your timing chip or "bibTag" is placed on the back of your race bib. It must be correctly worn for your race time to be accurately captured.
- Do not remove the "bibTag" or foam spacer from your bib.
- Do not fold your bib or excessively bend or twist the "bibTag".
- Wear your bib on your chest/abdomen. Do not wear on your back, side, leg or arm.
Souvenir Shirt
All participants receive a technical souvenir shirt with their registration. Details and sizing charts can be found here.
Getting to the Start & Parking
This year, the run will start and finish near the Stanley Park Pavilion, which is just off Pipeline Road in Stanley Park.
This is right next to the Stanley Park Bus Loop, serviced regularly by the #19, starting at 6:30am on Race Day. To plan your trip, click here.
If you choose to drive to the event, we recommend parking in the Rose Garden Lots off of Pipeline Road, indicated in yellow on the map here. There is additional parking down the side of Pipeline Road plus some parking in front of the Train Yard.
A reminder that ALL parking in Stanley Park is $2 for 2 hours or $5 a day.
Click map image to enlarge or 
download printer-friendly parking map (325 KB).
For a map of Stanley Park, please see Tourism Vancouver.
Baggage Check ($2 per bag)
Please check your bag from 8:30am onwards. You are strongly urged to check your bag early and leave yourself time to move to the starting line.
There will be a $2 fee for baggage check, with proceeds going to charity.
Course
- Start Corrals
- Course Description & Map
- Course Restrictions
- Aid Stations
- Port-o-Lets
- Medical
- Finish Line
Start Corrals
There will be starting corrals marked on your bib and signage at the starting line. Corrals are self seeding and you should line yourself up according to your finish time. If you feel that you need to change your corral, don't worry, just line up closer to the start line. You do NOT need to have your corral changed in your timing or on your bib; the corrals are self-seeding and self-policed. Age category awards are based on Chip Time (from when you start to when you finish), but Overall awards are based on Gun Time (from the start of all runners, to when you finish) as per IAAF rules.
Corrals will be marked as ELITE (Bibs 1-50), RED sub 40m, YELLOW 40m to 47m, BLUE 47m to 55m, GREEN 55m +.
8k Course Description & Map
Start Location — Stanley Park Pavilion
Click map image to enlarge or download printer-friendly course map (315 KB)
Start at 10:00am. Starting in front of the Stanley Park Pavilion, runners will head north, then take a right turn down towards the Vancouver Aquarium. Taking the path south, runners will pass through Painters' Circle, continuing on past the Lord Stanley Statue over the pedestrian bridge and under Georgia Street. Here, they will follow the path clockwise around Lost Lagoon, through the tunnel to Ceperley Field and onto the Seawall at Second Beach. Travelling clockwise around the Seawall until Lumbermen's Arch, runners will turn right up the hill, passing through the Japanese Canadian War Memorial and Painters' Circle before turning right at the Lord Stanley Statue and heading to the Finish Line.
The 8k course is marked every kilometre, only in kilometres.
Course Restrictions
We regret NO baby joggers, strollers or pets are permitted in the event. Slower runners and walkers are asked to start at the back of the event.
Aid Stations
Two water stations are located on route. Refer to course map for locations. Water and Gatorade will be available at each station; plus areas at the Start and Finish lines.
Port-o-Lets
Port-o-lets will be located at the Start and Finish Areas. The route passes public facilities at Second Beach.
Medical
Trained medical personnel will be located at the Start/Finish Area. In addition to this stationary team, other medical personnel will be roving the course by bicycle.
If you require medical assistance along the course, please head to the closest Aid Station and the medical team will be called to assist you there.
In the event that you need to drop out of the event, we again request that you inform the medical team or the closest Aid Station so that they may pass this information on to the Finish Line.
Finish Line
The Finish Line for the 8k located outside the Stanley Park Pavilion, just off Pipeline Road.
Google Map of Area
All runners are reminded to keep moving through the Finish Chute, heading towards the Party and Refreshment Area.
Post-Race
Finish Area Entertainment
An announcer will call out runners coming across the Finish Line. Music and entertainment be on site in the Party Area, providing entertainment to participants and spectators. Awards will be presented at the main stage at 11:15am.
Finish Area Refreshments
Water, Gatorade, and a variety of snacks will be available to participants in the Party Area. For those interested in a post-run meal or beverage, the Stanley Park Pavilion is just steps from the Finish Line.
Awards
Details on Awards can be found here.
Photos
Finisher photos supplied by Marathon Photos are available now. www.marathon-photos.com.
Road Closures
There are no road closures associated with this event. Parking is limited within Stanley Park; expect delays and plan ahead. The run route is a seawall route — respect the public use of the park and seawall, as we share the park with everyone.
Environmental Responsibility
Vancouver Spring Run-Off 8k follows guidelines provided by the Council for Responsible Sport. Highlights of our achievements in 2012 are:
- All discarded clothing from Start Area is collected and donated to shelter programs
- Surplus food remaining after the event is donated to local food banks
- Proximity to transit reduce single occupancy vehicle trips
- Water conservation methods are used on course and at Finish Area
- Marketing materials are printed using biodegradable inks on FSC certified paper
- Over 50% of provided food is locally produced, all is purchased locally
Race Etiquette
General Etiquette
- Check your registration information carefully; if a correction needs to be made, contact at least 2 weeks prior to the event date. After this date, please see the Help Desk at packet pickup to make the correction.
- Read the emails you have been sent from the Canada Running Series. Many of your questions will be answered.
- All participants have a collective responsibility to keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.
- Arrive early on race day, especially if you are picking up your race package. Remember that there are thousands of people going through the same process: parking, baggage check, bathroom, etc.
- For the safety of all participants, baby backpacks, skateboards, roller blades, animals and unauthorized bicycles and wheeled devices are not permitted in any of the Canada Running Series races. You will NOT be permitted to start the race.
- Pin your race bib on your front so it is visible for race officials and photographers.
- Age category prizing is awarded based on Chip Time. If you are racing for an age category award, ensure you are assigned to the RED start corral. Corral changes can be done via email to at least 2 weeks prior or at the Help Desk during packet pickup or on race day.
- Say “Thank you” to as many volunteers as possible.
Race Etiquette
- Line up in your assigned corral based on how fast you plan to run or walk the event. Slower participants should position themselves at the back of the corral.
- If you need to shed layers of clothing at the start of the race, tie them around your waist or put them on the side of the road where no one will trip over them. If you drop your clothing, don't expect to get it back. We will collect all discarded clothing and donate it to charity.
- Run or walk no more than two abreast.
- If you are walking in a group, stay to the back of the pack and walk two abreast.
- If you want to pass someone, say “excuse me” or “on your left” and pass on the left.
- If you hear someone say “excuse me” or “on your left”, move to the right and allow the person to pass without blocking their effort.
- If you need to stop for any reason (tie your shoe, stretch, etc.), put your hand up to alert those behind you and move to the side of the road.
- Yield the right of way to all police and emergency vehicles. Yield the course to wheelchair athletes, as you can change direction or stop more quickly than they can (especially on a downhill).
- If you are wearing headphones, please keep them at a low volume so you can hear instructions from race officials and/or emergency personnel.
- Bodily functions are a fact of life. If you need to spit, blow your nose, etc., move to the side of the road and do it there.
- Don't put loose change in your jacket pocket — it is very distracting for other runners around you.
Aid Station Etiquette
- When approaching a hydration station, move to the side of the road, grab your fluid/nutritional needs and keep moving. There will be multiple hydration tables so if the first table is busy KEEP MOVING.
- Throw your used cup to the side of the road as close to the hydration station as possible. Drop your cup down by your waist so you don't hit/splash another participant.
- If you plan to stop at the aid station, move past the tables and pull off to the side of the road.
- If you see someone in distress on the course, report their bib number to the aid station and let them know where you saw them (if it is serious, consider staying with the person).
Finish Line Etiquette
- As you approach the finish line, if you are listening to something on your headphones, please turn it off so that you can hear the instructions through the finish chute.
- Follow the instructions of the race officials in the finish chute.
- The course and finish area are closed for registered participants only. Please DO NOT bring your friends, family and/or children through the finish chute with you.
- Once you have crossed the finish line be considerate of those behind you and keep moving forward until you exit the finish chute.
- Plan to meet family and friends outside the finish chute at a pre-determined location. The finish area is a very busy place, choose a specific location to meet (friends & family area, specific sponsor tent, etc.). Do NOT plan to meet them within the finish chute, you will be asked to move along.
BC Athletics — Road Race Etiquette Guidelines