This year’s Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM) is set to break records with over 15,500 runners signed up to take part in the run.
The RVM was started in 1980 by organizers Alex Marshall and Peter Wheaton, who say they never thought the event would grow to 15,500 people participating from all over the world through 45 years.
This weekend, Victoria’s streets will be taken over by the marathon and its runners, with thousands of spectators lining the streets and over 1,300 volunteers managing the run.
“In 2024, we increased registration from 2023 by 3,115, participants and were amazed,” said Cathy Noel, RVM Race Director and Executive Director.
“And now, in 2025, we have exceeded that total by another 3,316. That is more than 6,431 in just two years, making this the largest event in the Royal Victoria Marathon’s 45 year history.”
According to the RVM team, the marathon and half marathon both sold out in July and quickly had over 1,500 names on the waitlist, forcing the event to stop taking names for the waitlist after just a few weeks.
Additionally, the Island Savings 5K race recently sold out and both the Westland Insurance 8K and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run have very limited space, with organizers thinking the whole thing may sell out before the races this weekend.
The weekend of runs will kick off on Friday, October 10th with the two-day ‘Race Expo’ at downtown Victoria’s Crystal Garden, where participants can pick up their race bibs, shirts and see an array of health and fitness exhibitors.
Following the expo, runners will take their marks and take part in their desired events.
By the numbers, 4,098 are in the marathon, 6,510 in the half marathon, 3,209 in the Westland Insurance 8K, 1,000 in the 5K and 589 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
According to RVM organizers, this year has some stiff competition, with the marathon’s 2023 winner, Aidan Anderson of North Vancouver, returning. Anderson’s winning time was 2:29 in 2023, but he will have to compete with Brendan Wong of Coquitlam, who possesses a 2:22 personal best run in Toronto just two years ago.
Additionally, James Lamers of Vancouver ran 2:25 in California last fall and three-time TC10K winner, Kip Kangogo, will also be competing.
In the women’s marathon two former champions, Andrea Lee of North Vancouver and Victoria’s own Catrin Jones are outliers to win this year’s race.
Lee won in 2019 with a time of 2:45, and Jones has won twice previously, in 2010 and 2013, with a best time of 2:43.
RVM says that Vancouver’s Kat Drew, who ran 2:47 in Vancouver in the spring, is another favourite.
Prior to race weekend, the RVM has already raised over $137,000, which will go to various charities through the CHEK Charity Pledge Program. All-in-all, the RVM has raised $2.35 million since its inaugural year in 1980.
The RVM weekend’s schedule is as follows:
- Race Expo, Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas Street
- Friday, October 10, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday, October 11, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Race Day, Saturday, October 11, Willows Beach Oak Bay
- 5K Start – 9:00 am
- Thrifty Foods Kids Run – 10:30 am warm up, 10:45 am 7-12 year old start, 11:00 am 0-6 year old start
- Race Day, Sunday, October 12, Downtown Victoria
- 8K Start – 7:15 am
- Marathon/Half Marathon Start – 8:15 am
Though each run will be taking a slightly different route, see the full marathon route below.
For more details on the RVM and additional route maps, visit their website.
