Royal Victoria marathon aims for 17,000 runners this fall

Royal Victoria marathon aims for 17,000 runners this fall

Published 2:43 pm Thursday, June 4, 2026

Organizers of the Royal Victoria Marathon say registrations are outpacing previous years as the annual event prepares to return this fall with expanded programming and a goal of raising $300,000 for charity.

More than 10,800 people have already registered for the 46th edition of the Royal Victoria Marathon, scheduled for Oct. 10 and 11, according to race director and general manager Cathy Noel. The figure represents a 36 per cent increase over the same period last year.

“Currently we have 10,834 registered for all the races,” Noel said during the marathon’s launch event at Frontrunners Victoria. “We will likely sell out of the marathon and half marathon by mid-July.”

The marathon weekend includes five events: the marathon, half marathon, 8K, 5K and a children’s run. Organizers have increased the participation cap from 15,000 in 2025 to 17,000 this year.

Noel said the race has grown significantly since she became race director 25 years ago.

“When I started, we had 5,000 people in the event total,” she said. “Now we’re looking at 17,000.”

Organizers announced several new additions for 2026, including a title sponsor for the half marathon, a Red Bull energy station along the course and a new charity cheer zone, which will feature a one-kilometre sprint competition with prize money available to participants.

The marathon’s pre-race carbo dinner will return with Canadian race-walking champion Evan Dunfee as guest speaker.

Noel said the event’s impact extends beyond race weekend, generating economic benefits for the region through tourism, transportation and hospitality partnerships.

“The economic impact of RVM was over $14 million in 2025,” she said.

The marathon also serves as a major fundraising platform for local charities. Organizers hope to raise more than $300,000 this year, surpassing the approximately $242,000 raised in 2025.

Among the participating organizations is the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, which joined the pledge program last year.

Fund development officer John Harris said funds raised through the marathon help support programs such as accommodation for families travelling for medical care and financial assistance for specialized equipment and travel expenses.

The foundation has doubled its fundraising target from $5,000 last year to $10,000 in 2026.

One of the foundation’s ambassadors, marathon runner Mike Shaw, said he was inspired to support the organization because of his own experience recovering from a spinal cord injury suffered 13 years ago.

In December 2013, Shaw broke his neck and was temporarily paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors told him he would never walk again. Now he is preparing for his second Royal Victoria Marathon.

“For me, completing the race is more important than competing,” Shaw said. “I’m more of a completer than a competitor. For me, it’s just about getting out, crossing the start line and the finish line.”

He added that the marathon’s atmosphere helped inspire him to take on the longer distance after participating in last year’s half marathon.

“The energy of the event is contagious.”

Frontrunners Victoria, which hosted the launch event, has been involved with the marathon for more than three decades.

Co-owner Nick Walker said the race continues to bring together runners of all ages and abilities while promoting physical and mental health throughout the community.

“Everyone is here for a different reason,” Walker said. “Whether you’re walking, running, whether you’re running for yourself or running for a loved one.”

The Island Savings 5K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run will take place in Oak Bay on Oct. 10. The marathon, half marathon and 8K are scheduled for Oct. 11, starting and finishing in downtown Victoria.