Elite Athletes

Requirements

To be eligible for Elite or Competitive Status, you must meet these requirements:

• Standard Set on a certified course within the last two years. For Competitive Entry at the First Half, that Qualifying Time must have been run at the First Half. 
• Current member of BC Athletics, your Provincial branch of Athletics Canada, or current member of your national federation
• Have your own identification to enter and exit the country

Note: Elite entries are limited and not guaranteed. Please apply early.

Apply

To apply, please provide details of your qualifying performances via email: [email protected]

Meeting the Qualifying Time Standard does not guarantee acceptance. Elite entries are limited.

Due to strong interest, responses may be delayed and only selected athletes may be contacted.

Please notify us early so we may do our best to accommodate you.

Elite and Competitive Athlete Entries are non-transferrable.

You must be able to enter and exit Canada. No letters of invitation will be forwarded.

Champions

Champions are rewarded at every RUNVAN event.

Although we celebrate personal achievement at every level, RUNVAN further rewards overall excellence.

Excellence

Champions receive the following:

• Cash Prizing Awards at the First Half, BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon, based on gun times
• Course Record Bonuses at the First Half, BMO Vancouver Marathon and Great Trek
• Trophy Name Engraving for Overall Champions at the BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon
• Elite Athlete Status and Complimentary Race Entry for life for Overall Winners
• Complimentary Race Entry for the following year if 1st in your Age Category Division
• Age Category Medals for Gold, Silver and Bronze, based on official chip times

Pacing

RUNVAN provides Pacers at all events. Additional Elite Pacers should be made known to all competitors, including the target pace or Estimated Finish Time so as to ensure others equal opportunity to benefit from that pacing, if they so desire. Pacers must also be registered in the same race they are pacing, and start at the very start of the event, running the entire race unless or until they drop out. 

FAIR PLAY

Per RUNVAN Race Polices, exiting or attempting to exit the course boundaries will result in a Disqualification DNF and Did Not Finish. Participants must stay within course boundaries as designated by event officials, marshals, traffic cones, barriers, and other markings, at all times, and may not receive any race assistance from non-participants. All RUNVAN events and event participants are also subject to Doping Control.

Chip Times and timing mats record participant times at different intervals and at key points throughout the race. To maintain the integrity of race results, a time may be deemed invalid if those chip times are not recorded, or if there is a significant difference between recorded split times, or where the result is otherwise questionable. Please race respectively and always stay within the designed course boundaries. 

Rewards

Join the RUNVAN family for a beautiful experience during, pre and post-race.

Initiated by Olympian Lynn Kanuka, the Elite Athlete Program strives to foster a sense of community and family. Non-profit organizers work to provide you with a special racing experience at RUNVAN Events.

Elite entries also enjoy the following:

• Elite Athlete Start Zones
• Elite Hospitality
• Elite Athlete Drink Support
• Course Tours based on demand
• Transportation at the Marathon