Press Release
BMO Vancouver Marathon Sees Record-Breaking Participation
Record Numbers Again, 25,000 Participants from 60+ Countries
VANCOUVER, BC – May 4, 2025 — The BMO Vancouver Marathon welcomed over 25,000 participants from more than 60 countries this weekend, setting a new participation record and once again showcasing the endurance, determination, and community spirit that define the event.
Vancouver’s streets buzzed with energy as runners of all levels—from elite athletes to first-time marathoners—took on the scenic course. The route highlighted the city’s natural beauty, with waterfront views, mountain backdrops, and the lush surroundings of UBC and Stanley Park. The finish line celebration at the new Victory Plaza was vibrant, capped off by cheers from fans and an appearance from Shoey, the RUNVAN mascot.
To support the record number of participants, RUNVAN worked throughout the year in close collaboration with the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Police Department, implementing additional safety measures to help ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all.
Half Marathon Results
In the Men’s Half Marathon, Andrew Davies and took first place in 1:04:10, breakind the Canadian course record of 1:04:48 that was set by Rob Watson in 2015. He was followed by Ben Preisner (1:05:10) and Harry Halford (1:05:24).
In the Women’s Half Marathon, Melissa Paauwe claimed victory in 1:17:09, with Nicole Esplin (1:17:31) in second and Jouen Chang (1:19:24) in third.
Marathon Results
In the full marathon, Dominic Arce broke the course record with a personal best time of 2:14:32, surpassing the previous mark of 2:15:01 set by Yuki Kawauchi.
“It was really exciting the entire course,” says Arce. “The first half was beautiful, and then coming around 30K near the bridge, I didn’t know what to expect by the beaches. The energy was so high—I was starting to hurt a bit, but at every corner, people were screaming my name. It was so fun to be lifted by all the excited people out there.”
Tristan Woodfine finished second in 2:16:51, followed by Japan’s renowned “Citizen Runner,” Yuki Kawauchi, in 2:18:16, adding yet another sub-2:20 finish to his world-leading tally.
The Women’s Marathon also featured a standout field. Olympian Dayna Pidhoresky captured first place with a time of 2:35:05.
“The crowd support is amazing, and the seawall is beautiful—that’s always my favourite part of the course,” shares Pidhoresky. “I saw a couple seals and sea lions and thought, ‘Focus! Stop looking at the wildlife!’ But where else do you get to see that during a marathon?”
Lindsay Lamrock secured second in 2:39:49, and Clair Sumners placed third in 2:45:23, capping a day of strong performances on a world-class course.
Athlete Highlights
Olympian Evan Dunfee, who shared on the RUNVAN Rundown podcast -hosted by RUNVAN elite coordinator Julia Hawkins – that he aimed to racewalk a sub-three-hour marathon, celebrated a personal milestone by finishing in 2:58:57.
“Happy I got under 3 hours—that was the goal,” says Dunfee. “It was a perfect day to run with this community. The whole course is beautiful… I was able to stay focused and locked in.”
British Paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE, in the midst of his global challenge to complete 100 marathons, added another finish in Vancouver. He aims to run 20 marathons in a single year.
“The sun came out! The spectators are awesome. Number 10 of the year—I’m so pleased,” he says. “I come halfway around the world to race, and it won’t be the last time I come to Canada!”
“This event is a true celebration of community,” says Eric Chéné, Race Director. “It’s inspiring to see the city come together—runners, volunteers, spectators, and partners—to create something so uplifting. With the support of the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Police Department, we work year-round to ensure a safe and welcoming race for all.”
Charity Impact
This year’s participants raised more than $370,000 for charity through the BMO Vancouver Marathon’s RUN4HOPE program. Since its inception, RUN4HOPE has generated over $17 million in support of social impact initiatives and community organizations.
This extraordinary effort reinforces the event’s role not only as a celebration of athleticism, but also as a platform for giving back and building stronger communities.
Event Acknowledgments
The Vancouver International Marathon Society RUNVAN and the BMO Vancouver Marathon extend their sincere thanks to the more than 3,000 volunteers, event stakeholders, and partners who make the event possible.
