All posts tagged with: Sunshine Coast

April In the days leading up to the BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run, the constant downpour of rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the would-be half marathon participants.  As runners geared up for the Sunday, April 7, 2013 race, the overcast skies remained dry and kept temperatures cool, creating ideal running conditions for the 36^th annual race.

The 628 participants lined up for the 9:30am start in Gibson’s for their 21.1km (13.3mi), journey from Gibsons to Sechelt. The first place overall and men’s finisher was Nicholas Browne, followed by the 2012 first place finisher, David Palermo, both from Vancouver. For the second year in a row, Lisa Brooking took home the first place women’s finish.

Watch the highlights video by Keith Dunn, of the top finishers:

Personal Results (new half marathon person best):

• Finish Time: 1:36:28
• Overall: 62/ 627
• Men’s Overall Finish: 51 / 235
• Men 30 – 34: 12/29
• Average Pace: 4:35m/km

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.

Registration is now open for the 2013 BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run. The beautiful point-to-point half marathon race, held on the stunning Sunshine Coast, starts in Gibsons and ends in Sechelt.

The race starts in the centre of Gibsons and for the first few kilometers zig-zags through the residential neighbourhoods. The majority of the race is along tranquil country roads and through beautiful pine and cedar forests. The final stretch to the finish line finds runners racing down the well-marked rural highway.

While the course is a net downhill there are a few major hills to climb. The entire route has course marshals keeping participants on the right route at every turn. There are aid stations located at 5.5k, 11k, 15k and 18.5k serving both water and Gatorade.

The BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run is a major community event. Local residents come out to watch and cheer for the hundreds of long-distance runners as they make their way from start to finish.

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

At the finish line there is plenty of recovery food and beverages, sponsored by local businesses. Just a few steps from the finish line is a wonderful beach to take in the fresh coastal air and to take a moment to peacefully reflect upon the race. From the finish line, there are free shuttle buses to take participants back to Gibsons.

For anyone who is preparing for the BMO Vancouver Marathon, this is a fantastic spring race to gauge the progression of your training and to test your marathon race day strategy.

BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run

• Date: Sunday, April 7, 2013
• Time: 9:30am Start
• Race Entry Fee: $35 Jan 1–Feb 15, $40 Feb 16–Mar 15, $50 after Mar 15 ($2 discount for 19&U and 60+)
• Register Online: Events Online or Running Room

Race package includes a pair of blue BMO running gloves, chip timing, and finishers medal. A brightly coloured commemorative technical shirt can be purchased at time of registration for an additional fee. Participants can also order a personalized finisher medal insert with their name and finish time.There is a free gear check in the morning at the Gibsons Community Centre.

For participants from out of town, there is a free shuttle bus from the BC Ferries terminal to the start line the morning of the event. The start time in 2013 has been adjusted to start later to accommodate anyone coming over on the early ferry sailing.

The official race hotel is the Cedars Inn Hotel and Convention Centre, and there are other local accommodations including Bed and Breakfasts in the area.

Read the 2012 BMO Sunshine Coast April Fools Run recap.

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.