Record year for Royal Victoria Marathon

Sunday’s Marathon, Outway Half Marathon and Westland Insurance 8K sold out before race weekend, and Saturday’s Island Savings 5K had its highest registration to date with over 1,000 participants. The Thrifty Foods Kids Run also hit capacity to round out an incredible festival of running in Victoria and Oak Bay.

With 17,536 racers registered, this was another record year for RVM surpassing the 45th event by 2,500. Registrations were 4,927 in the Marathon, 7,389 in the Outway Half Marathon, 3,396 in the Westland Insurance 8K, 1,124 in the Island Savings 5K and 700 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.

“I am so proud of our community for cheering on our record number of participants this weekend,” said Cathy Noel, RVM Race Director. “I truly believe that running brings people together to reach personal goals. The sun shone down on everyone this year which helped everyone shine.”

The men’s Marathon was won by Kip Kangogo, from Lethbridge, AB, who claimed his first RVM victory at 47 years of age. His time of 2:24:28 was an age group record in the 45-49 category. When asked if he was getting stronger he said, “I feel I am getting consistent and when I do my own marathon training I have to go for it.” Kangogo enjoys running in Victoria. The three-time winner of the TC10K said: ”There is no community quite like Victoria and I enjoy coming back.”

Second was Calgary’s Michael Zahara, finishing in 2:28:32, and third was Alex Bowns from Washington in 2:32:20. Zahara said he felt strong in perfect weather conditions. “The volunteers were fantastic – I couldn’t ask for better support.”

Victoria’s Fawn Whiting was the women’s Marathon champion finishing in 2:48:50 a PB by two minutes. She was also top master. Second was Charlotte McNair from Banff, AB in 2:49:32 and third was Calgary’s Tessa Ladner finishing in 2:52:07.

Whiting was ecstatic at winning. “I can’t believe I won, it was a perfect day. I was going for a 2:50 so was surprised to be first. No one was passing me so I continued to pace it well.”

In the Outway Half Marathon, Victoria’s Brandon Vail hit the tape in 1:05:40; second was Justyn Tyrrell from Barrie, ON in a PB of 1:06:01, followed by his brother Ryan in 1:07:05. Top master was Nicolas Jirot from Nanaimo (1:11:00).

Vail was delighted with his time which was a PB by three minutes. “It was a good day and it exceeded my expectations. It’s not a slow course with the rolling hills but if you run it right it is fine”.

In the women’s race, course record holder Natasha Wodak, from North Vancouver, won in 1:14:33. She was also the top female master. Second, also from North Vancouver was Eliyah Brawdy finishing in 1:15:30 and third was Tyler Hudacek, from Seattle, WA in 1:16:03.

Wodak found it a tough day. “I ran with the guys but never really found my pace. I didn’t expect to fly through the course, but it was good to be here and take the win. I have bigger fish to fry.” In December four days before her 45th birthday she will be taking on The Marathon Project in Arizona.

The Westland Insurance 8K was the first race of the day with Calgary’s Matthew Travaglini taking the win in 23:47, just one second short of his PB. Coming in second in 24:25 was Liam Dwyer from Vancouver, bettering his third place from last year, closely followed by Jerome Bouchard, from Saint-Hippolyte, QC in 24:27. Top master was Victoria’s Nick Walker (27:04).

“It was great conditions today, not windy, a bit cool but perfect temperature,” said Travaglini. ”I was aiming for a time in the 23:40’s so I was very pleased.”

The women’s 8K winner was Victoria’s Chloe Hegland who got a PB with a time of 27:38. Second was the RVM course record holder Sarah Inglis, from Langley, B.C. finishing in 28:12. Third was Burnaby B.C.’s Alycia Butterworth in 28:17. Top master was Calgary’s Shari Boyle (31:17).

Sunday’s Marathon also saw Race Walk World Champion Evan Dunfee participate. Dunfee, from Richmond B.C was a guest of the Royal Victoria Marathon, giving a motivational speech at the pre-race Power Plates carbo dinner on Saturday night. The 36-year-old race walked the 42.2km in 3:24:59 (chip time) and was clearly delighted to be in Victoria.

“The atmosphere was amazing, the weather was perfect and the body and mind felt strong. It’s been a great weekend and the RVM team made us feel very special.”

Dunfee’s next big goal is getting fit for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. He has had a niggling hamstring injury since tearing it last year at the World Championships. “I am going to take a step back and concentrate on LA. It’s one last push and see if I can keep my body together for that.”

In Saturday’s Island Savings 5K a women’s course record was set by Victoria’s Waverley Mulligan, in 17:14, which was also a PB for the 27-year-old. Second was Calgary’s Robyn Astridge in 18:00 and third was Charlotte Gough from Mill Bay, B.C. in 18:15. Carley Gering from Victoria was top master (18:24)

Canadian National Team Triathlete, Aiden Longcroft-Harris, from Victoria was the overall winner in 15:08. Danny Morin from Toronto was second in 15:25, and top master and Nanaimo’s Jason Basaur was third in 15:59.

Of the total registered, there were 14,606 finishers: 3,819 in the Marathon, 6,234 in the Outway Half Marathon, 2,927 in the Westland Insurance 8K, 926 in the Island Savings 5K and 700 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.

The Royal Victoria Marathon will return for its 47th event on October 9 and 10, 2027.