....Thousands of runners are flooding into downtown Victoria this morning for the start of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon.
It’s expected to be the largest turnout out in the race’s 31-year history with nearly 14,000 people competing in four events — marathon, half-marathon, eight-kilometre road race and Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
By the time online registration closed Thursday, a total of 13,495 people had signed up — a 13-per-cent increase over last year.
Meanwhile, the field of elite athletes is expected to double to 80 this year.
The competing local runners include James Landry, Cheryl Murphy and Lucy Smith in the marathon, Jim Finlayson in the half marathon, and Peter Corrigan, Kris Swanson and Kirsten Sweetland in the road race.
The event gets underway with an early start for walkers and slower runners at 6:30 a.m. followed by the eight-kilometre race at 7:15 a.m., the half marathon at 7:30 and the marathon at 9 a.m.
The Thrifty Foods Kids Run begins at 10:15 a.m.
The marathon’s route starts on Menzies and winds through the downtown core into James Bay and Beacon Hill Park, along Dallas Road to Gonzales Bay. It then goes into Fairfield, Oak Bay and Uplands before doubling back the same way.
Some roadways will be closed at certain times, and no traffic will be permitted on Dallas Road from 7:15 to 2:30 p.m.
Organizers hope to raise $300,000 in conjunction with 22 charities — twice the amount raised last year.
It’s expected to be the largest turnout out in the race’s 31-year history with nearly 14,000 people competing in four events — marathon, half-marathon, eight-kilometre road race and Thrifty Foods Kids Run.
By the time online registration closed Thursday, a total of 13,495 people had signed up — a 13-per-cent increase over last year.
Meanwhile, the field of elite athletes is expected to double to 80 this year.
The competing local runners include James Landry, Cheryl Murphy and Lucy Smith in the marathon, Jim Finlayson in the half marathon, and Peter Corrigan, Kris Swanson and Kirsten Sweetland in the road race.
The event gets underway with an early start for walkers and slower runners at 6:30 a.m. followed by the eight-kilometre race at 7:15 a.m., the half marathon at 7:30 and the marathon at 9 a.m.
The Thrifty Foods Kids Run begins at 10:15 a.m.
The marathon’s route starts on Menzies and winds through the downtown core into James Bay and Beacon Hill Park, along Dallas Road to Gonzales Bay. It then goes into Fairfield, Oak Bay and Uplands before doubling back the same way.
Some roadways will be closed at certain times, and no traffic will be permitted on Dallas Road from 7:15 to 2:30 p.m.
Organizers hope to raise $300,000 in conjunction with 22 charities — twice the amount raised last year.
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