Friday October 10, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 6:13 pm]
y Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A record-number of racers are set to take part in the 2025 Royal Victoria Marathon on this Thanksgiving weekend.
About 15,500+ marathon runners are expected to take part, aiming to perform their personal best.
The breakdown of numbers participating as of Friday: 4,098 in the Marathon, 6,510 in the Half Marathon, 3209 in the Westland Insurance 8K, 1000 in the 5K and 589 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
On Thanksgiving Sunday October 9, nearly 8,000 participants will participate in the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K, and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run. The Half Marathon and 8K were held last year but the Marathon distance hasn’t been held since celebrating its 40th year in 2019.
In 1980, when organizers Alex Marshall and Peter Wheaton stood at the start line of the first ever Royal Victoria Marathon, they were probably not thinking that it would grow to 15,500 people participating from all over the world in 45 years, let alone still be growing in popularity.
This weekend will see the streets of Oak Bay, Fairfield and James Bay lined with thousands of spectators. Indeed, the race theme is “Experience the best oceanside course on the West Coast”.
There will be more than 1,300 volunteers putting in multiple hours of work.
Registration tally increase in 2024 and 2025:
“In 2024, we increased registration from 2023 by 3,115, participants and were amazed,” says Cathy Noel, RVM Race Director and Executive Director. “And now, in 2025, we have exceeded that total by another 3,316.”
This year is the largest Royal Victoria Marathon in 45 years, notable following two years of disruption during the COVID pandemic.
The marathon and half-marathon sold out in July and quickly surpassed over 1,500 names on the waitlist. That led to closing the waitlist after just a few weeks.
The Island Savings 5K recently sold out, and with limited spots in the Westland Insurance 8K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run, the whole event has the potential to sell out this weekend prior to the races.
Race Expo:
The Marathon weekend kicked off today with the two-day Race Expo at Crystal Garden on Douglas Street in downtown Victoria.
The Race Expo continues tomorrow, Saturday October 11, from 9 am to 6 pm.
Participants can pick up their race bibs and shirts and explore an array of health and fitness exhibitors.
Donation in lieu of a race garnment:
This year saw the introduction of the Green Bib option for the marathon, half-marathon and 8K distances, allowing a racer to forgo receiving a garment with their registration and instead choosing to donate to one of the charities in the CHEK Charity Pledge Program. They still receive their medal and race bib. This project will donate over $38,000 to the charities in addition to their own fundraising totals.
The CHEK Charity Pledge Program is in its 21st year. This year 21 charities are participating. Prior to race weekend, the charities had already raised over $137,000, adding to the $2.35 million that has been raised since its inception.
“We are really proud about starting the Green Bib option this year,” says Patti Hunter, President, Victoria Marathon Society. “Being able to donate over $38,000 to our charities on top of their own fundraising, is amazing, and we thank all those participants who are taking part in the green bib.”
New distance title sponsors:
This year RVM brought on two new distance title sponsors: Island Savings 5K and Westland Insurance 8K.
“As a new sponsor with RVM this year, we have enjoyed coming up with lots of creative ways to support the event,” stated Kendall Gross, President of Island Savings.
“From our race expo booth with our ‘Why I Run’ banner which, for every inspiring message signed on the banner, we will donate $5 to The Full Cupboard up to $5,000, to our team out on the course cheering on the racers, giving away prizes and having fun with the 1K Sprint starting at Mile Zero, we can’t wait to have fun with the racers and spectators alike.”
Race Features:
Men’s Marathon
The 2023 Royal Victoria Marathon winner, Aidan Anderson of North Vancouver returns, but he’ll likely have to improve significantly on his 2:29 time to repeat that victory. Brendan Wong of Coquitlam possesses a 2:22 personal best run in Toronto 2 years ago. And James Lamers of Vancouver ran 2:25 in California last fall. 3-time TC10K winner, Kip Kangogo, now a master’s athlete, should also be in the mix.
Women’s Marathon
Two former champions will toe the start line for the women’s marathon. Andrea Lee of North Vancouver won in 2:45 in 2019. Victoria’s own Catrin Jones has won twice previously, in 2010 and 2013, with a best of 2:43. Jones, the Canadian 50-mile record holder, will challenge for the master’s title. Vancouver’s Kat Drew, who ran 2:47 in Vancouver in the spring, is another favourite.
The Royal Victoria Marathon serves as the 2025 BC Marathon Championship.
Men’s Half Marathon
Matt Welch from Bellingham, WA owns the fastest time in the half marathon, with a 1:02 from 2019. Russell Pennock of Kelowna placed 6 th at the recent Canadian Half Marathon Championship in 1:05. And Brian Masterson from Seattle, WA has also run 1:05 this year. Victoria’s Andrew Russell and Nanaimo’s Nicholas Jirot will renew their rivalry for the master’s title.
Women’s Half Marathon
Last year’s half marathon runner-up in 1:15, Kiana Gibson of Vancouver, will face some experienced competition in the form of Maria Galea of Calgary, a 2016 Olympian in the steeplechase; and Claire Sumner also of Calgary, a former national Cross Country Champion. Look out too for Emma Huston from Portland OR, with a 1:13 personal best.
Men’s 8K
Victoria based triathlete and TC10K champion Liam Donnelly will be testing his running abilities against 2023 RVM 8K Champion Matthew Travaglini of Calgary, and last year’s 3 rd place finisher John Perrier of Vancouver.
Women’s 8K
Reigning champion Julia Hawkins of Vancouver will face off against 2022 champion Courtney Brohart of Canmore, and last year’s 3rd place finisher Sarah Price of Sidney. Other notables include 2023 USports Cross Country champion Katie Newlove, and Fiona Madden.
Race Schedule
Race Day, Saturday, October 11, Willows Beach Oak Bay
- 5K Start – 9:00 am
- Thrifty Foods Kids Run – 10:30 am warm up, 10:45 am 7-12 year old start, 11:00 am 0-6 year old start
Race Day, Sunday, October 12, Downtown Victoria
- 8K Start – 7:15 am
- Marathon/Half Marathon Start – 8:15 am
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