All posts tagged with: Gibsons

On Sunday, April 7, 2013, runners will lace-up for the annual BMO April Fool’s Run, a beautiful point-to-point half marathon from Gibsons to Sechelt on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast.

Registrations are being accepted online until midnight on April 1, and will cap-out at 700 participants. Race packages include bib, timing chip, a Cytomax stick pack, the coveted blue BMO race gloves, and race shirt/jacket (if ordered).

Race package pick-up will be available in Vancouver on Thursday, April 4 at the Denman Running Room from noon till 6:00pm. The first 200 people to pick up their race packages at Denman Running Room will receive a free bottle of Muscle MLK.

Participants can also pick-up at the Gibson’s & Area Community Centre (700 Park Road), on Saturday, April 6 from noon to 5:00pm, or Sunday, April 7 from 8:00am – 9:15am.

Although the race time has been pushed out to a 9:30am start to accommodate participants coming from Vancouver on the early Sunday morning ferry, staying for the entire weekend is a great option. The official race hotel is the Cedars Inn, located just a few blocks from the start line. There are also B&B’s and other accommodation options available.

Spectators are encouraged to cheer on participants along the race route with signs and noise-makers, and to celebrate at the finish lines as runners receive their medals.

Located on just a quick 40 minute ferry ride from Vancouver is Gibsons, BC, home of Sita’s restaurant. If you enjoy homemade, Italian-style fare, this is your stop when visiting the Sunshine Coast.

From fresh-baked pasta to hand-tossed pizza’s and slow-cooked ribs, most items are made right to order. The dishes incorporate locally sourced seafood all the way to vegetarian options.

The modern family restaurant has both dining and lounge options. In the summer months the patio overlooking the ocean is open too. The servers are very friendly and know their way around the menu, pointing out their favourites.

Although many of the pasta dishes and breads are made fresh on-site, check with your server that the item has been made in-house – some items on the dinner and dessert menu are not made on-site.

Sita’s is a sister restaurant to The Old Boot in nearby  Sechelt, BC.

Finished with a half marathon personal best: 1:39:36!

This past Sunday, April 1, started off cold and wet on Vancouver’s Sunshine Coast as runners and volunteers gathered at the Gibsons recreation centre. As the timing gun went off precisely at 9:00am, the 21.1km half marathon was underway and off the runners went towards the finish line in Sechelt, where bright sunshine awaited.

The BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run is a beautiful point-to-point half-marathon course that passes through peaceful neighbourhoods, quiet country roads and through tranquil forests. But don’t be deceived; although the course is a net downhill route, there are many long hills to climb along the way, making this course challenging, even for a trained recreational runner.

The race is warmly embraced by the community. The course was well marked and course marshals along the route were at every turning point ensuring participants were heading in the right direction. It was amazing to see local residents along the race route to cheer on the participants.

Crossing the finish line. Photo credit: Laurie McConnell

The support from local businesses and organizations was evident throughout the race event – from aid stations to door prizes – they had the event covered. Even BMO came on-board for 2012 as a sponsor of the event, and employees from the local branch volunteered their time to ensure the event was a success.

For anyone preparing for the BMO Vancouver Marathon this is a must-do race during spring training. It fits perfectly with the Running Room training schedule too. It becomes a good indicator of how your training is progressing.

Runners, definitely mark this course into your 2013 race calendar. The friendly hospitality, fresh coastal air, scenic route, affordable entry fee, and a finishers medal all make this one of the most exciting spring half marathons.

For some people playing practical jokes on April Fool’s Day is a long standing tradition. For others, it’s running in the BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run half marathon.

For 35 years, organizers have been putting on the friendly and fun 21.1km race. The scenic point-to-point race from Gibsons to Sechelt, BC, is one of the most stunning and scenic half-marathon race routes in the lower mainland.

The 2012 race will get underway on Sunday, April 1st, 2012 at 9:00am. The course is a mix of long-scale undulations, hills and flats, all along a paved surface.

Registrations are still being accepted for the 2012 half marathon event. In 2011 there were 640 registered participants and 539 finishers. Organizers are hoping for a larger turn-out in 2012.

Race packages can be picked up in advance at Forerunners at 980 Marine Drive in North Vancouver on Thursday, March 29, or from 2-6pm at the Community Centre in Gibsons on Saturday, March 31.

“We’re proud to be the title sponsor in this Sunshine Coast recreational running tradition,” says Debra Carson, Gibsons Branch Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We’ll be setting up water stations, helping with the finisher’s medals and cheering on all the participants — from first to last.”

BMO is supplying both the volunteer t-shirts and the runners’ BMO blue gloves for the race, and BMO employees will be out in force to volunteer at the Fool’s Run.

There will be a gear-check at the start of the course, which will be transported to the finish line. Busses will bring participants from the end of the course in Sechelt, back to Gibsons.

Each finisher will receive a medal for completing the race, along with food and beverages from local race sponsors at the finish line.

For those traveling to the event and want to make a weekend getaway, the official half marathon host hotel is The Cedars Inn Hotel & Convention Centre.

For those traveling from Vancouver on race day, catch the 7:20am ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. A bus will be waiting to take participants to the start line in time for the 9:00 gun.

You can follow along April Fools Run on Twitter and Facebook.