Vancouver gives you so many OMG moments with all the water and snow-capped mountains in the background. Race has plenty of hills both up and downhill and can get hot. Half marathon started at 7 am (thank god) while the marathon started at 0830. Starting early helped and the tall skyscrapers downtown helped blocked some of the heat. I am so glad i did this one for my British Columbia half marathon. Take the time to visit the rest of the area which is even prettier than Vancouver.