I love this race: the vibe, the course, the people, the clothes, and the activities. The course is beautiful, not too challenging, and really showcases the natural beauty that Vancouver has to offer. The positive vibes from the runners, volunteers and race organizers were infectious. If you weren’t smiling, you must have been having a really bad day. I’m going to list all the things I loved about this race.

Free stuff: the swag included a gear bag (which I still use as a gym bag), a water bottle, free JJ Bean coffee voucher, a gorgeous (and heavy) carrot medal, massage oils from Saje, a Lululemon ballcap, brunch (we got a waffle, mini quiche, fruit and yogurt), and of course the training shorts (which registrants received at the start of training). We also got a wet face towel at the finish line to cool down – I’ve never gotten one at a race before and I thought it was a really nice touch.

Free activities: Nooner yoga, sunset yoga, free braiding and nails for women, the men’s lounge, cotton candy, cold brew coffee, post-race massages

No bibs: Runners get a wristband and that’s your ticket to everything. Great idea.

Cheer stations: Lululemon works hard to make it entertaining for runners not just at the start/finish area but all throughout the course. Some neat things I saw were human statues, big white balloons, the spin class on the viaduct, rock band on a barge, mermaids, paddleboarders, and a bunch of sponsored cheer stations by ivivva, Saje, and the BC Lions cheerleaders, the Felions.

The Expo: It seemed very organized and there were loads of volunteers helping keep the line moving. Runners received their gear bag with timing chip, water bottle, and coffee voucher. At the expo you were also able to record a video for your runner, which would then play once their chip hits a certain mat along the course. I didn’t know about this until after the race and I was wondering what that big screen was for… but I guess that’s it. Nice touch Lulu!

The Showcase Store: I liked this but I also didn’t like it (see below). I arrived at around 1pm and there were still loads of items available in my size (6). The patterns this year were not as outstanding as previous years but I did find a cute top and shorts.

The Course: This would be a great first half marathon course. It’s fast and mostly flat. With Lululemon turning this into a weekend event, it makes for a great destination race if you’re coming from out of town.

Sunset Festival: It was fun just to lounge on the grass on your blanket or yoga mat while enjoying live bands perform on stage. They had some food available (I didn’t partake) and even a trapeze area where people can channel their inner circus performer… just one swing though, and then you line up again. They also had a free shuttle going back and forth from Jack Poole Plaza to the festival site. They really thought of everything.

Criticisms:

No refunds or transfers: I don’t understand why Lululemon expects people to commit to this a year in advance with no chance of transferring their ticket officially to another runner. Things happen, injury, pregnancy, other commitments… why not let other people run? Even if there’s a transfer fee and a deadline that people need to get their transfers in. Why, Lululemon? Why don’t you offer transfers?

Not enough Vega Hydrator stations: I was counting on Vega Hydrator in the later stage of the race, only to find out that they didn't offer it. I could've brought an extra electrolyte tab. Oh well. Why not offer it at all water stations?

The Showcase Store: Everything is regular price, nothing is on sale. Not to mention if you want to see the FULL inventory you’ll have to line up hours before the store opens because people will buy everything. 15 items max? Really? How about 5 instead? That way there will be less Craigslist and Ebay resellers hawking your clothes. We missed out on the hoodies and other cool patterns that were available.

Allow more runners to participate: This is a popular event for a reason, why not open it to more runners? Or allow people to sign up in different time slots so people can have a fair shot at it?