Press Release
The 2025 First Half Marathon once again delivered an unforgettable race experience, bringing together elite athletes, dedicated runners, and enthusiastic spectators in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Known as Canada’s fastest half marathon, the race featured an incredibly strong field, making for an exciting morning of competition.
With a sold-out field of 2,500 participants, the energy was high as runners took off from the Start Line at the Roundhouse Community Centre, making their way through the scenic 21.1KM course along Vancouver’s waterfront.
After a week of heavy snowfall and lingering icy conditions on the seawall, organizers made a strategic switch to an alternate route, instead of the traditional Stanley Park loop.
While it was an unexpected change for some, it allowed runners to avoid unsafe conditions while still racing on a fast and exciting course. In fact, the last time this route was used in 2022, five course records were broken, and this year’s runners took full advantage of its speed. A huge thank you to all participants, volunteers, and supporters for embracing the event.
Elite Performances Shine
This year’s race featured an incredible field of elite athletes, with close finishes and some seriously impressive times.
Andrew Davies put on a spectacular performance, taking first place in the men’s division with a time of 1:03:05—making it the second-fastest time ever recorded at the First Half, behind only Cam Levins’ national record. Lee Wesselius followed in second place with a time of 1:04:28, marking another close battle between the two after their tight finish in 2024, when Wesselius edged out Davies by just four seconds. Christian Gravel rounded out the top three with a strong 1:06:27 finish.
Reflecting on his favorite part of the race, Davies said, “…all the cheering out there as we came back along the out and back. This year we had people cheering the whole middle 15 to 20KM.”
Post-race, Christian Gravel shared his thoughts on the growth of Vancouver’s running scene: “It’s really grown in the past year. Social running clubs have really taken off, and as a result, it’s becoming a lot more competitive. I love seeing so many people now running low 30’s in the 10K. It’s really exciting that Vancouver is becoming a world capital for running. I’m hoping that we see more pro runners out here.”
Samantha Jory claimed victory in 1:13:53, securing a well-earned top spot in women’s division. Jory, who finished second at last year’s First Half, added another title to her impressive resume, which includes winning the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon in 2024. Samantha said her favorite part of the course was “…recognizing all the familiar faces, friends, and the community that I run with. It’s always really special to see people on the course that you train with daily.”
Elissa Legault, the 2023 Canadian Half Marathon Champion, finished a close second in 1:14:01. “It’s my first race back since my injury, so I’m grateful to be healthy again, and it was nice to battle for first place with someone.”
Jenna Melanson, who previously competed at the Jerome Classic, made an impressive debut in the half marathon distance, securing third place with a time of 1:14:45. Echoing Jory’s sentiments, she highlighted the support from the running community: “There were a lot of people that I knew, some from my team, some from UBC who were all very loud and vocal while we were out there, so that [definitely] lifted me up.
A Community of Runners
While the elite field set the pace, thousands of other runners took on the challenge, chasing personal bests and celebrating the camaraderie of Vancouver’s vibrant running community. With spectators lining the streets and volunteers keeping everything running smoothly, the event once again proves why it remains one of the most beloved races in Canada.
This year’s Dan Cumming Memorial Trophy, awarded to the top age-graded runner, goes to Elizabeth Waywell. At 67 years old, Elizabeth delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a chip time of 1:35:40 and an impressive age-graded percentage of 97.25%—translating to an age-adjusted time of 1:07:03.
Beyond the race, runners continue to support Variety – The Children’s Charity, helping provide assistance to BC children and their families. To date, the event has raised over $800,000 for charity.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on another incredible First Half, runners now set their sights on Vancouver’s only marathon event, the BMO Vancouver Marathon, taking place on May 4, 2025. Many will use today’s race as a key stepping stone in their training, building momentum for the full marathon distance.
“The First Half is always a special race because it brings together such a strong mix of elite talent and passionate community runners,” said Race Director Eric Chéné. “This year’s course change was a curveball, but seeing runners embrace it with such enthusiasm was incredible, and we’re proud to see so many runners out here giving their best.”
For full race results, visit firsthalf.ca/results-2025/
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About RUNVAN
RUNVAN is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting running and healthy lifestyles across British Columbia. Through iconic events like the First Half Marathon and the BMO Vancouver Marathon, RUNVAN inspires runners of all levels to achieve their goals.
