This is the most beautiful race route I've ever run! it's also pretty small, I believe there were 1100 who ran the full marathon distance. Big enough to feel the excitement though and always be around lots of people.
Definitely not flat, lots of rolling hills..although they start to feel like more than just rolling hills later in the race of course.
This race is so easy to get to, Victoria is small. I was staying at an AirBnB in the Fernwood area and I walked, probably 15 minutes or so and it was nice to get the legs moving.
The race is super organized and the spectator support is awesome. It's also on a long weekend which makes it an even busier time to be in Victoria (Canadian Thanksgiving)
The aid stations were great and the course is awesome. breathtaking actually. I enjoyed all of it, and even the non ocean-view sections are though beautiful residential neighbourhoods. It's a great race!! I highly recommend it. Not a huge fan of the women's 1/2 zip race swag...I usually love New Balance but this one had weird rouching along each side of the zipper and I'm not a huge fan of people but maybe I just have bad taste??
The finish chute was great, lots of energy from the announcer and it ends right back downtown which is beaufiful and busy and a wonderful place to strut around with your new medal and find somewhere cute to have brunch!! If you are in a hotel, it will be within blocks!