Royal Victoria Marathon
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Royal Victoria Marathon 2026
The 2026 Royal Victoria Marathon is the 46th annual edition of this event, taking place in Victoria, British Columbia from October 9 to 11, 2026.
The event features several road race distances, each with its own course and race day. The main distances are the Marathon, Outway Half Marathon, Westland Insurance 8K, and Island Savings 5K. There is also a children's run, the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
The marathon, half marathon, and 8K take place on Sunday, October 11, starting and finishing in downtown Victoria. The course weaves through quiet streets with ocean views throughout Victoria and Oak Bay. The 5K and Kids Run events take place on Saturday, October 10, starting and finishing at Willows Park in Oak Bay. Registration for the Kids Run will open on February 16, 2026.
The event is a Boston Marathon qualifier, an Abbott World Majors ranking event, and a World Athletics World Ranking competition. The marathon has a course time limit of 6.5 hours. There is no early start for the marathon, and marathoners must complete the first 13K by 10:15 a.m. to be allowed to continue. Registration for the marathon and half marathon is capped; in 2025, both distances sold out in July.
A "Green Bib" registration option is available, where participants can forgo the official event garment but still receive their bib and medal, with a donation made to a charity of their choice.
Strollers and pets are not allowed on the course. Nordic poles are only permitted for mobility-impaired participants. There are no refunds or deferrals for 2026. A registration can be transferred to another person until October 7, 2026 for a fee. An enhanced refund program can be purchased during registration. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
