The expo at the convention centre was big and exciting. Lots of awesome exhibitors and i loved the blue BMO gloves they gave out. The shirts however, I did not like. Mine was WAY to small and seriously ill fitting, flaring out at the.bottom. But since I didn't come for the shirt, moving on!
I like Queen Elizabeth park as a starting area and we lucked out with great weather, unlike when I ran the half in 2014 and everyone was soaked and freezing by starting time.. What I wasn't a fan of was the 8:30 starting time! so late, and it was a HOT day so by the time I was finishing, which was right around the average time, it was blistering hot. The quantity of aid stations was incredible though and I was able to soak myself with water the entire race basically so it wasn't too big of an issue.
Gear check was easy, and corral organization was good. This course is breathtaking. I love the big downhill down Cambie street at the beginning, it was a great warm up and it was so cool as a first time marathoner to really take in how many people i was running with. The aid stations were often and organized (I think there were 20 all together? amazing) and there were tons of entertainment stations and areas with a ton of spectator support! I loved the "races within the race" and having timing mats at the bottom and top of the biggest hill in the race was really helpful and motivating!
The finishing area is overwhelmingly awesome! i love the finish chute along pender street. The medals are big and simple, the post race photo opportunities plentiful with marathonfoto, and the snacks were legit and the gear bag retrieval was easy. Being in downtown vancouver after finishing a marathon is indescribable. I loved every second of this day and I would recommend this race to anyone wanting to run a marathon in a beautiful city! it's about a 5000 runner sized event (for the full) and I thought it was awesome! I do wish I liked the race shirt for my very first marathon though..