The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon, better known as the Royal Victoria Marathon is an annual marathon taking place on Vancouver Island in Victoria. One day in 1980, three founding members of the Prairie Inn Harriers club, marathoners Bruce "Gunner" Shaw, Alex Marshall, and Robin Pearson were drinking beer and closed a deal to start a marathon in Victoria. Today the event expects over 8,000 participants.
The happening has become one of the most prominent annual sporting events on Vancouver Island. It is held each Thanksgiving weekend and, besides a marathon, features 1.2K kids run, 8K and a half marathon, certified by Boston Marathon qualifier.
The Marathon stands out from other races by the way it cherishes its runners, its scenic ocean views, and the quality of the route, of course.
