The BMO Vancouver Marathon is by no means easy unless you're a hill fanatic. The first 30 km involves some long inclines flowing into long downhills and 3 significant hills: Camosun (1km and steep), NW Marine Drive to west 4th (not as long and steep as Camosun but it hurts), and the Burrard Bridge. If you can get past all that, everything after the Burrard Bridge is flat, but it turns into a mental game. The Stanley Park seawall is long and beautiful but tough since the only way to get out is to follow the path. The race then ends with a 500 m slight incline to the finish so save some energy for that. The course takes you through Vancouver's prettiest neighbourhoods and if you're lucky and Mother Nature is on your side, you will be blessed with fantastic running weather and the best views. We were lucky this year.

The race is well-organized and prepare to spend at the Expo. There are lots of vendors and specials that I couldn't come out with just one item. My favourite this year is the custom New Balance shirt with Vancouver 42.2 decal.They treat runners well. Transportation shouldn't be a problem, they give all runners a one-time use transit pass to get to the start line and even offer shuttles for those living in the suburbs. The medal this year is beautiful, my favourite so far and I've run this event 2 other times (both the half marathon). There's often lots of people cheering and aid stations are plentiful. Washrooms were also not a problem, there were tons at the start and at every aid station. I just wish they had bananas at more than 1 aid station. I missed it and that's when I needed them the most. It was at the 31k mark. At the finish, lots of volunteers were there giving me food, water, anything basically. I made a bee-line to the nearest restaurant but I heard there were free massages and I saw the recovery area with yoga mats and foam rollers.

This is definitely a must-do race. I'll most likely be back next year but for what distance, I'm not sure yet.

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