Vancouver Sun Run facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vancouver Sun Run
Date	Third or fourth Sunday in April
Location	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Event type	Road
Distance	10km
Primary sponsor	Ford Canada
Established	1985
Course records	Men:  Joseph Kimani (KEN) 27:31 Women:  Isabella Ochichi (KEN) 30:58
Official site	Vancouver Sun Run

The Vancouver Sun Run is a super popular 10-kilometre (about 6.2 miles) running event. It happens every year in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The race takes place on a Sunday in April and has been a yearly tradition since 1985. It's one of the biggest road races in all of North America! The event is owned by Run Vancouver Holdings ULC and gets its name from its sponsor, The Vancouver Sun newspaper.

How Many People Run?

The very first Vancouver Sun Run in 1985 had about 3,700 people taking part. Since then, it has grown a lot!

• In 2006, over 39,000 people finished the race. This made it the 9th largest race in the world and the 3rd largest 10-km race.
• That same year, more than 50,000 people signed up for the 10-km run and a shorter 2.5-km "mini Sun Run." The mini run was popular with about 2,000 people, mostly kids and their parents, and even some school teams!
• On April 15, 2007, the Sun Run broke its own record with 54,317 people signing up. This made it the biggest road race in Canada, the second largest in North America, and the third largest in the world!
• The record was broken again on April 20, 2008, with 59,179 runners. This made it the largest 10-kilometre race in the world. It was a bit chilly that day, around 3 °C (37.4 °F).
• On April 17, 2011, the record was broken one more time, with 60,000 runners! It was still the largest 10-kilometre race in the world.
• In 2020, the race had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. In 2021, people ran the race virtually, meaning they ran on their own wherever they were.

What Happens During the Race?

The main goal of the Sun Run is to "promote health, fitness and community spirit." It also helps support young athletes.

• Before the race, many 13-week training programs are offered. These include Nordic walking, regular walking, and running clinics for all skill levels.
• Even though it's not a charity event, the organizers have given over $1.1 million from the race to different charities since 1985.
• The race has all kinds of participants. There are fast, professional runners, people in wheelchairs, and even parents pushing strollers!
• Everyone starts the race at different times. The wheelchair racers and elite runners go first, and then other runners follow in groups.
• For many years, runners have worn a special electronic chip on their shoes. This chip records their exact start and finish times.

Vancouver Sun Run in 2006

The race route starts on Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver. It guides runners through the downtown area, and parts of the Kitsilano and Fairview neighborhoods. The finish line is outside BC Place Stadium. Along the route and at the stadium, there are many entertainers, like bands, to cheer on the runners. A local band called The Neurotics has played at the starting line every year since 1995!

Hundreds of volunteers also help make the race happen. This includes amateur radio operators who help with communication during the event.

After a sad event at the 2013 Boston Marathon in 2013, the Vancouver Sun Run organizers asked runners to wear blue and yellow. These are the official Boston Marathon colors. People wore them to show support and remember those affected. Many more people signed up for the Sun Run that year to show their community spirit.

Past Winners and Records

Many amazing runners have won the Vancouver Sun Run over the years. Here are some of the fastest times ever recorded:

• The men's course record is 27 minutes and 31 seconds. This was set by Joseph Kimani from Kenya in 1996.
• The women's course record is 30 minutes and 58 seconds. This was set by Isabella Ochichi from Kenya in 2006.

Here are some of the recent winners:

Year	Male winner	Country	Time (m:s)	Female winner	Country	Time (m:s)
2022	Lucas Bruchet	Canada	28:29	Leslie Sexton	Canada	32:37
2023	John Gay	Canada	29:40	Leslie Sexton	Canada	32:22

Helping the Community

The Vancouver Sun Run also helps out in other ways!

• Since 1997, one dollar from each person's registration fee goes to Raise-a-Reader. This is a national program that helps people learn to read. Since 2001, this program has raised over $10 million!
• Money from the Sun Run also helps young athletes in British Columbia. It supports groups like the Achilles International Track And Field Society and The Vancouver Sun Jerome International Track Classic. This track and field event lets local athletes compete against some of the best in the world!

When is the Race?

The Vancouver Sun Run is held on the third or fourth Sunday in April each year. Here are some recent and upcoming dates:

• April 24, 2022 (38th run)
• April 16, 2023 (39th run)
• April 21, 2024 (40th anniversary!)