RVM adds extra marathon spots to postpone sell out!
(Victoria, BC - July 10, 2024) With an unprecedented surge in registrations, the Royal Victoria Marathon was facing a sell out in the marathon distance with over three months to go until the event in October. The event had originally increased its spots available in the marathon by 21% this year in comparison to 2023, but those sold out in the spring. They have been increasing the available spots over the last few months, but those have continued to sell out.
“We didn’t want to sell out the marathon distance in the spring, so our team has been working tirelessly to come up with a new plan” stated Cathy Noel, GM/Race Director. “To be able to extend our numbers this late in the planning process meant we had to go back to the drawing board to look at participant flow at the start line and along the course. We also had to go back to all our sponsors, suppliers, and City Stakeholders to make sure that we could accommodate and maintain the high level of organization and safety from the start of race weekend to the last person crossing the finish line.”
Thankfully, working with all their supportive partners, the event has been able to extend its capacity by 900 spots over 2023’s total of 1860, but it is now down to its last 200 spots available in the marathon. They have also had to add more spots in the half marathon. They expect these last marathon spots to go quickly and once they are gone, there will be no more room to increase.
“The RVM is a boutique event, drawing athletes from all over the world,” explained Cathy Noel. “This growth of the event for 2024 will see over 12,000 runners and walkers for the marathon, half marathon, 8K, 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run, which is an increase of 25% over last year!”
The Royal Victoria Marathon is celebrating 44 years in 2024 with the five distances taking place over the Thanksgiving weekend. The 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run takes place on Saturday, October 12 in Oak Bay, with the marathon, half marathon and 8K starting and finishing in downtown Victoria on Sunday, October 13.