Press Release
Vancouver, BC – October 24, 2026 – The 2026 Great Trek brought runners, volunteers, and supporters together at UBC for a spectacular day of running and community, marking the finale of the 2026 RUNVAN Race Series.
Set against the scenic backdrop of UBC and Musqueam Territory, participants took on the Half Marathon, 10KM, 5KM, UBC Relay, and RUNVAN Hat-Trick, with routes showcasing the campus, surrounding trails, and the stunning views along Southwest Marine Drive.
Race Highlights
With more than 5,000 registered participants, the Great Trek once again brought the running community together across five events.
The RUNVAN Hat-Trick challenged participants to complete the Half Marathon, 10KM, and 5KM events in a single day, while the UBC Relay brought teams together for a unique campus experience.
Half Marathon
Benjamin Hartvigsen claims first place overall with a time of 01:12:02, followed by Jonah Brost in 01:14:11 and Paul Blazey in 01:14:38.
Hartvigsen enjoyed the scenic course, although running solo after the early kilometres proved to be a mental challenge.
“It was a little wet out there, but a lot of fun. I was on my own after 7KM, so it became a bit of a mental test. Marine Drive is so beautiful, and that big downhill is pretty nice!”
Asked what goes through his mind on the quieter stretch of Marine Drive, Hartvigsen said, “Just go. Turn my brain off as much as possible until I get back on campus, and then let myself get a little bit excited.”
In the women’s division, Hannah Bennison takes first place with a time of 01:22:51. Tania Tasaka finishes second in 01:29:18, while Rachel Soares rounds out the podium in 01:29:40.
Bennison’s victory marked a meaningful milestone as she returns to racing after a decade away, rediscovering the joy of running.
“This is my second race back after a decade off. I’m coming back to running for the joy of it, for myself, so it really means a lot just to be out here! And I love the course. It’s nice and hilly.”
She especially enjoyed the course’s downhills, which offered a chance to settle into the moment.
“I really like cruising on the downhills. It feels like I can be present. It’s the best feeling, and that’s what I love about running.”
10KM
Quinten Nelson claims the 10KM title with a time of 32:36. Liam Von Fischer follows in 32:52, with Carlos Lesser finishing third in 33:20.
The men’s race saw training partners Nelson and Von Fischer finish first and second, making it a memorable race-day result.
“It was a great race. We started out together and pushed, then I made a little gap up the hill and tried to make sure Liam wouldn’t catch me for the rest of the race,” says Nelson.
Von Fischer is equally familiar with the route. “It’s a great course. It’s where we train all the time, and I was hoping to hold on to Quinten!”
For Nelson, sharing the podium with a teammate made the result even sweeter.
“It’s nice to go 1–2 with a teammate, especially when it’s one of your training partners. I was trying to hold him off, and it was tough. I was pushing! I love coming up Main Mall with everyone cheering. It’s great to have all that support.”
Nelson’s advice for runners tackling the course? “Don’t go out too hard. It’ll eat you up in the second half!”
Among the women, Jenna Melanson takes first place in 35:57, followed by Reilly Whittaker in 38:15 and Katrina Lim in 38:40.
Melanson praises the spectator support and the challenge of navigating the course’s hills.
“This is a good test of fitness. There was a lot of support from spectators along the course, so it was a lot of fun. Main Mall at the end was great, with that downhill into the finish!”
She also offers insight into pacing the rolling route.
“It’s definitely a positive-split kind of race. There’s a bit of downhill on Marine Drive on the way out, so you’ve got to bank a bit of time on the downhill but save some energy for the push back up. It’s tough, but lots of fun!”
5KM
Christian Gravel sets a new Great Trek 5KM course record, clocking 14:37 to break the previous record of 14:53, set by Chris Winter in 2002. He earns bonus event record prize money. Gravel is followed by Ephrem Mekonnen in 14:57 and Nathan Dehghan in 15:26.
In the women’s division, Holly MacGillivray crosses the finish line first in 16:31, with Danielle Rowlinson in 16:57 and Fiona Madden in 16:57.
Second-place finisher Danielle Rowlinson, a track runner, enjoys the opportunity to race on the roads at UBC, giving a shoutout to the UBC Thunderbirds.
“It’s just an awesome event and a great rust-buster. I’m a track runner, so getting a 5KM on the road is a good experience because there aren’t many around.”
Her advice for runners looking to challenge themselves? “You’re stronger than you think! You don’t know until you try, so just go for it!”
RUNVAN Hat-Trick
The RUNVAN Hat-Trick once again provided one of the day’s biggest challenges, with more than 200 participants completing the Half Marathon, 10KM, and 5KM events in the same day.
UBC RELAY
Hobby Joggers takes the top spot in the UBC Relay 5KM race with a time of 16:09, followed by Trail Blazers in 16:32 and The Gooners in 17:53.
The Great Trek brought the energy of Vancouver’s running community to UBC and Musqueam Territory. UBC student groups, Thunderbird Marching Band, the Calendar, UBC varsity football team, volunteers, and supporters helped create an energetic atmosphere along the course and at the finish.
The event also highlighted the continued importance of community participation, with friends and families running together, teams taking on the UBC Relay, and volunteers helping participants throughout the day.
“This year’s RUNVAN events have showcased the incredible spirit, energy, and heart of our running community,” says Race Director Eric Chéné. “The Great Trek is always a special way to close out the race series, and today we saw that community come together once again. We’re grateful to every runner, volunteer, supporter, and partner who helped make this year such a memorable season.”
Giving Back
Great Trek participants raised over $23,500 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, helping support children and families in British Columbia.
A special thank-you goes to the hundreds of volunteers who helped bring the event to life.
“Volunteers are what make this event possible,” adds Chéné. “Their energy, generosity, and dedication bring the Great Trek to life. They’re the heart of the event, creating the welcoming atmosphere and community spirit that make race day so special.”
Course Records and Competition
The Great Trek continues a tradition of celebrating athletes who push the limits across its Half Marathon, 10KM, and 5KM courses.
Since 2024, RUNVAN has offered record-breaker bonuses for athletes who break long-standing course records, adding an extra incentive for runners chasing the fastest times in event history.
- 2026 Course Records:
5KM: Men – 14:37, Christian Gravel, overtaking 14:53 by Chris Winter (2002) - Course Records
21.1KM: Men – 01:06:47, Brent Corbitt (2004) | Women – 1:15:25, Dayna Pidhoresky (2025) - 10KM: Men – 29:36, Ryan Hayden (2005) | Women – 33:29, Tina Connelly (2003)
- 5KM: Men – 14:53, Chris Winter (2002) | Women – 16:04, Leah Pells (1999)
- RUNVAN Hat-Trick: 02:10:21, Drew Nicholson (2022) | Women – 02:09:32, Dayna Pidhoresky (2025)
Participants also received exclusive a shirt designed in-house by RUNVAN and finisher medals designed by Musqueam artist Darryl Blyth, featuring new artwork celebrating UBC’s iconic landmarks with medal designs on both sides.
Thank You to Our Partners
RUNVAN thanks the following partners for their support of the 2026 Great Trek: Musqueam, UBC, Alkiss Water, AMS Student Society of UBC Vancouver, Forerunners, New Balance, Fitness World, Oikos PRO, Stanley Park Brewing, XACT Nutrition, Runna, and Big Steel Box.
Looking Ahead
The Great Trek marks the finale of the 2026 RUNVAN Race Series, closing another season of running, racing, and community across Vancouver.
RUNVAN now looks ahead to 2027, beginning with the First Half in February, followed by the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May and another year of events bringing runners together throughout the region.
