The Royal Victoria Marathon is back in an altered format today with an eight-kilometre race starting at 7:30 a.m. and a half-marathon starting at 9:30 a.m.
About 4,400 people are taking part in the two events.
The last full Royal Victoria Marathon took place in 2019. Organizers are hoping to have a full marathon in 2022.
Expect traffic to be affected downtown, in James Bay, in the Cook Street area, around Beacon Hill Park and in the Fairfield/Gonzales area. Cones and signs will be collected as soon as last participant goes by.
Spokeswoman Louise Hodgson-Jones said that having races shorter than a marathon means road closures will end sooner than in other years. The goal is have minimal disruption on roadways, she said.
Hodgson-Jones said the level of anticipation was high Saturday as people looked ahead to an actual running competition.
“You can see the smiles on their faces and they’re really excited.”
There were no statistics available for out-of-town participants, but Hodgson-Jones said there is a “good contingent” from the Lower Mainland.
All participants are required to be double-vaccinated.
Today’s forecast is for sun in the morning and early afternoon, with a 30 per cent chance of showers in the late afternoon.
