Royal Victoria Marathon
We just finished an incredibly successful 2024 Royal Victoria Marathon. Over 12,300 racers registered for 2024.
Registration for 2025 will open on November 15 and we expect there to be an unprecedented demand as we celebrate our 45th annual Royal Victoria Marathon. Come join us October 10-12, 2025 for Thanksgiving Weekend in Victoria, BC, Canada. We’re hosting a full weekend of activities, starting with our Race Expo on Friday and Saturday at the fabulous Crystal Gardens downtown. On Saturday, join us in Oak Bay for our 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run. Your 5K is the perfect “shakeout run” for Sunday’s main event!
On Sunday, October 12 we host the marathon, half marathon and 8K in downtown Victoria.
The in-person Royal Victoria Marathon is a Boston qualifier as well as a World Athletics sanctioned event. It is also part of the BC Marathon Championships and an Abbott World Majors ranking event.
Event Details
If you can’t find what you are looking for on this page, please check out our FAQ page as well.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
To commemorate our 45th year, Marathon participants will receive a jacket. Half Marathon participants receive a long-sleeved technical quarter-zip shirt. 8K participants will receive a short-sleeved technical shirt or can choose a sling bag, while 5K participants will receive a pair of Outway socks.
Commemorative 2025 Finisher's Medal and lanyard
Race Bag
Race bib with chip timing (Register before September 15 for personalization)
Marked and measured courses
Aid stations along the course
Timing by Startline Timing
A live tracker on Race Day for 8K, Half Marathon and Marathon runners
Post race refreshments
THRIFTY FOODS KIDS RUN INCLUDES:
Item to be announced
A race bag
Finisher Medal
A race number
Charitable contribution to KidSport Victoria
Distances & Prices
Please note that the marathon, half marathon, 8K and 5K prices are capped. When the BLOCK NUMBER is reached, the prices will increase.
Please note: There are no refunds or deferrals allowed for 2025, though you are able to purchase insurance while registering. You can transfer your registration to another person up until October 3, 2025 at 9:00 am for an administrative fee.
Prices shown on the website may not be current. Race Roster will show the most current price and that price will be charged when checking out.
Race Weekend
Saturday, October 11
Start and finish at Willows Beach Park in Oak Bay.
9:00am - 5K
10:30am - Thrifty Foods Kids Run with races at 10:45am (7-12 year olds) & 11:00am (0-6 year olds)
Sunday, October 12
Start and finish at the Legislative Grounds downtown Victoria.
7:15am - 8K
8:10am - Wheelchair and Visually Impaired Athlete start
8:15am - Marathon and Half Marathon (course closes at 2:30 pm)
2024 Maps:
2024 MARATHON MAP with a new start time of 8:15 am. PDF version
2024 HALF MARATHON MAP new start time of 8:15 am. PDF version
2024 THRIFTY FOODS KIDS RUN MAP & PDF version.
2024 Elevation Maps
MARATHON (same elevation since 2022)
HALF MARATHON (same elevation since 2022)
8K (same elevation since 2022)
Road Closure Information:
We thank you for your patience on both Saturday October 12 and Sunday October 13 as over 12,000 runners and walkers take to the streets of Victoria. Please read through the Road Closure Notifications below. We have also added a number of key area maps that will help you navigate around the course.
ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION (Please note, this notification was updated on October 6 and is slightly different than the notification that was mailed out)
OAK BAY ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
ACCESS FROM CENTRAL AND OLIVER
Online GPS Maps
You can download gpx (and other related format) files from our course certifier here:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39900609 Marathon
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40898812 Half Marathon
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36448956 8K
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47249677 5K
You can find the options to download the format you are looking for under More select Export as a File.
Aid Station Nutrition:
XACT NUTRITION will be our official on-course energy and hydration sponsor. Their XACT Energy fruit bars are a tasty alternative to energy gels. XACT Electrolytes are key to optimal hydration - dialled down flavour and low fizz, but loaded in electrolytes and micronutrients essential to athletic performance.
On the course you will find Aid/Water Stations which will have Old Victoria Water and Xact Electrolyte. At stations 3 & 7 there will also be Xact Fruit Nutrition Bars. The all important Porta-potties are located at each Aid Station as well as a radio operator if you need medical assistance.
XACTly what you need to cross the finish line smiling!
Let’s Talk Details
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The following information was emailed to each registrant, but in case you missed it you can click on the following documents to the content. If you are not receiving our emails, please check that you have entered your email correctly in your Race Roster account.
Everything Package - Sunday Events
Everything Package - 5K
Everything Package - Thrifty Foods Kids Run -
If you can no longer run, you can transfer your entry to another person you have found who wants to take your entry. Transfers are $15.00. You can log in to your Race Roster account to start the process. Instructions on how to do this can be found HERE. Deadline to transfer now extended to October 11, 2024 at 9:00 am.
After that, transfers can only happen at Race Package Pickup on October 11 and 12, IF there is space in that event to do so. If you are currently looking to transfer your bib to someone else, you can look in our RunVictoria Online Training Group on Facebook, as a number of people have been posting in there.
*Note to runners purchasing a transferred bib – To avoid scams, please verify the runner you are purchasing a bib from is in fact registered for the 2024 RVM by using the Confirm Registration button HERE.
The RVM is not responsible for any issues arising between the seller and buyer of the registration.
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If you wish to change to a different race distance, you can transfer your distance as long as there is space in that distance (for instance, the marathon is sold out, so you can not transfer to the marathon). You can log in to your Race Roster account to change your distance. Instructions on how to do this can be found HERE. Deadline to transfer online is October 11, 2024 at 9:00 am. After that date, you can transfer your distance on race weekend at race package pickup if there is space available!
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Package pickup will be at Crystal Gardens, 713 Douglas St. Hours are:
Friday, October 11 - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday, October 12 - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday - October 13 - 6:00 am for out of town participants only
PLEASE NOTE: For the 5K and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run, in-person package pickup is:
Crystal Gardens, Friday, October 11 - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
or Willows Beach Park prior to race start:
5K - 7:30 am to 8:30 am
Kids Run - 9:00 am to 10:00 am
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There will be a course time limit of 6.5 hrs for the marathon. There is no early start for any of our distances.
Marathoners must complete the first 13K by 10:30 in order to be allowed to continue the marathon route. Individuals who have not passed the 13K mark by 10:30 will be given the choice to move to the half marathon event distance or withdraw from the event.
Time limit is 3hr 30min for the half marathon and 90 minutes for the 8K.
The 5K will have a time limit of one hour.
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Kilometre markers along the entire route (as well as mile markers).
Water/Aid stations on the route. XACT NUTRITION will be our product on the course. See Aid Stations below for more information.
Portable toilets at every water station.
Full medical services on the route and at the finish line.
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XACT NUTRITION will again be our official on-course energy and hydration sponsor. Their XACT Energy fruit bars are a tasty alternative to energy gels. XACT Electrolytes are key to optimal hydration - dialed down flavour and low fizz, but loaded in electrolytes and micronutrients essential to athletic performance.
This year’s XACT product will be:
XACT ENERGY fruit bar favours on-course : equal amount of orange, apricot and strawberry
XACT ELECTROLYTES : Lightly Lemon
XACTly what you need to cross the finish line smiling!
Runners are also encouraged to be self-sufficient where possible and to bring their own hydration as appropriate.
On the course you will find Aid/Water Stations which will have Old Victoria Water and Xact Electrolyte. At stations 3 & 7 there will also be Xact Fruit Nutrition Bars. The all important Porta-potties are located at each Aid Station as well as a radio operator if you need medical assistance.
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You can find all our hotel partners and their special RVM prices HERE.
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Below are our course maps for 2024. You can also scroll to the bottom of the page for more details, including elevations maps.
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The RVM Expo will take place at Crystal Gardens on October 11-13, 2024. If you are interested in being an exhibitor, please CLICK HERE for more info.
Hours are:
Friday, October 11 - 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday, October 12 - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
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The High-Performance Athlete Program offers top Canadian and International Marathon and Half Marathon runners an environment in which they can succeed. These events attract top distance runners from around the world and foster growth for Canadian athletes of all stripes.
Prizes are awarded to the top male and female runners, Open and Masters, Marathon and Half Marathon athletes. We also give special recognition to RVM record breakers.. Some elite athletes will be given the opportunity to share their unique stories in local media.
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We are very pleased that the "Super Pacers" pace team will be joining us again this year. The "Super Pacers" have been pacing our Marathon and Half Marathon events since 2014!
Pace Leaders will be running the following times to help you achieve your running goals:
Marathon: 3:30, 3:40, 3:50, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, and 5:00
Half Marathon : 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, and 2:30
You will have a chance to meet the Super Pacers at the Race Expo on Friday and Saturday. Just drop by the Pace Team booth to say hi and ask any questions you may have! This gang loves talking about running!
You do not need to sign up beforehand, on race day simply look for the star shaped sign with your desired finish time in the start area and join the group! Marathon signs will be on one side of the start corral and Half Marathon signs on the other. Pace Leaders will be in the start corral at least 30 minutes before the race starts.
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The 2024 Royal Victoria Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8K features the latest in real-time race tracking by providing live results from Startline Timing.
The Live Tracker will go live on race morning, but you can check out the link HERE in preparation.
Have a Smartphone? Download the RTRT.me Mobile App HERE and select the 2024 RVM24 event. Participants, Family & Friends can all use Live Results to share in the excitement. On race day, spectators can get the status of participants in real-time using the Live Tracker & Leaderboard. Details such as time, pace, position on the map, and estimated finish will be instantly available!
Live Tracker will be active during the entire week of the 2024 RVM event.
Features Include:
Live Web Tracker - See times and current pace within seconds of a crossing each split point. Estimated times will be based on your current pace.
Live Leaderboard - See who has taken the lead via the Live Leaderboard. Top runners in each category will be displayed in real-time as they make their way through the course.
Live Map Tracking - Participant locations will be plotted on the Interactive Course Map as progress is made toward the finish line. Participants do not need to carry their phones for this feature to work. The system takes readings directly from your running bib.
Mobile App - Features include Live Participant Tracking, Push Notifications, Leaderboards, Map Tracking, Event Messages, Event Info, and more!
Times posted during the event are unofficial. Official results are posted upon completion of the event.
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FOM Music Society, one of the RVM CHEK Charities, will perform at 1128 Dallas Road, between Cook Street and Clover Point, in the driveway Saint Frances Manor by the Sea Seniors Residence for our Marathon and Half Marathon runners. There will be 4 musical groups from Friends of Music, performing one after the other, in support of Mental Health. They are:
Ukulelians
Let’s Groove! Drum and Percussion Class
Minds at Work R’n’B Band
Recovery Rock Band
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You can find our 2023 results HERE.
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You can submit a refund request using the confirmation email from Protecht that you would have received after you purchased the refund protection. That email will have a "Request a Refund" button that will direct you to the correct spot. If you need additional help or didn't receive an email you can contact them directly at help@protecht.com.
For more information and details, check out our FAQ page.
“The Victoria Marathon sets the standard by which all marathons should be judged: a multiday festival packed with fascinating and enlightening talks, capped by an immensely popular race, organized by an army of dedicated volunteers and highly-experienced race managers, in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. I’ve been to marathons that tick one or two of those boxes - Victoria ticks them all!!”
Niobe Thompson, Ultra Marathon Runner & Producer of “The Perfect Runner”