This past weekend for my long (LSD) runI did the BMO Vancouver Marathon. It was not my fastest but definitly the most fun marathon I have ever done.

We all met at the Terry Fox memorial about a half hour before the race started. My niece, Violet, from Nanaimo and I ran the whole run together. It was Violet's second marathon and we had planned to run about a 4:15 pace so we lined up behind the 4:15 pace bunny. It was raining fairly hard at the start and kept raining for about 45 minutes. The temperature was hovering at +10 C around 50 F I think. I was carring my digital camera (in a ziplock baggie) so couldn't take pictures until the rain stopped. It was a great feeling standing there surrounded by around 5000 marathoners, beach balls were sailing overhead as they were bounced high into the air again and again. The race announcer Dave King was chatting over the PA system and music was playing, arobic dancers strutted their stuff on a stage made from scaffolding and energy was flowing thru the crowd like electricity.

The starters air horn blared and we were off walking shoulder to shoulder until we finally crossed the starting chip mat then the course widened out and we could start to run. We were running a nice even pace running with a group of about 20 or so all following the pace bunny. The rain was easing so we tore off our nice clean garbage bags, Violent, like she was a stripper and me AKA Hulk Hogan. The streets were littered with discarded clothing of all types. As the rain came to a stop I took a picture and the rain started almost as soon as I got out my camera. The rain slowed but continued for nearly another hour then stopped allowing me to take more pix.

When we had run for just over an hour we rounded a corner and there they were, our very own cheering section, Amy Betty and Judy. Cheering and shaking noise makers and ringing small bells (no OCB).

Another half hour and we entered historic Gastown, one of the oldest parts of the city. It is a very touristy area and the streets were starting to come alive with spectators. On a corner there was the Steam Clock, yes a large (10 ft high) clock powered by steam that blows a very loud steam whistle instead of a chime. At the next corner My youngest daughter was there cheering us on as she was going to work.

It was another half hour running thru the downtown core before we entered Stanley Park. Stanley Park is a very large park considered the jewel of Vancouver. It is surrounded on 3 sides by water and has a "seawall" all around it. The seawall is a favorite for Runners, rollerbladers and cyclists and is nearly 10 kms. around. As the seawall is too small for several thousand half and full marathoners the park roads were closed to cars so we could run on the roads thru the park. Here the course has both half and full marathoners running together. The half marathoners leave us about half way thru the park as they have a monster hill which the full marathoners don't have to challenge. Part way into the park we crossed the halfway point.

We left the park running along English Bay and more and more spectators were lining the streets. The crowds were cheering loudly and shouting out the names of the runners as the race bibs had our names on them. The view here is great with the entrance to False Creek to our right and all the green grass of the parks all along this strech of road and our 4:15 pace bunny right there. After running by the beaches we ran a few blocks of apartments then made a gentle right turn onto Burrard Street bridge, at this turn the crowds were huge and loud giving us the energy to challenge the biggest hill on the run. The faster runners are returning on the opposite side of the bridge so we can get to see the runners who will finish in around 2 1/2 hours or so. This bridge is the oldest in the city and very picturesque.

My niece's boyfriend Kevin joined us in the run across the bridge heading South down into Kitsilano Beach (Kits Beach) where more crowds were waiting to cheer for us. On one side of the street there apartments while on the other is a park which runs for several blocks. In one apartment there was a party going on and they were leaning out the windows cheering for the runners. on the very next street corner there was this gal who was holding a sign up for me and VM the sign read " YOUR A$$ LOOKS HOT IN THOSE SHORTS" Did you send her VM? This was around the 18 mile marker and still no spandex police.

At mile 19 our very own support crew was there Amy Betty and Judy again cheering and making noise. around this point the sun was trying to come out and it was beginning to get quite warm out, between water stops there were sponge stations werer the volunteers were passing out wet sponges to help us keep cool.

Near mile 20 is where the wheels fell off. Violet sustained a leg cramp on her right outer thigh, it was like a knot in her muscle and was pulling the muscle very tight. Violet wasn't able to run. Heck she could hardly walk. With gentle coaxing we got her limping along hoping it would work itself out and it did get a bit better but still she wasn't able to run. At this point we decided to walk it in the rest of the way as there was no quit in her. The 4:30 pace bunny and the 4:45 pace bunny both passed us. We had a great time visiting and taking pictures, any thing that would keep her distracted. Sorry to say there was no Cow Bell at mile 21 as it didn't get into town in time. But I did ask around to see if Drew's wife was at mile 21 but she didn't answer so I guess maybe not.

In this area the runners cover the same out and back stretch so we are passing runners going the opposite direction and get a chance to see the faster runners again (the elites have already finished) back thru Kits beach and the last hill, once again the Burrard street bridge. The crowds were getting bigger now as we were on the home stretch, just 1 mile left to go. We saw Kevin with just a few hundred yards to go and gave him the camera.

As we approached the finish line with Violet limping the last few yards we joined hands and raised our arms as we crossed the finish line together in 5:15 WOO-HOO marathon #7 in the books.

Volunteers placed finisher medals around our necks. Chips off and into B.C.Place stadium where we got our finisher shirts and attacked the piles of food.

Bryan (Prince George old guy)

5 Km (3 mi ) point and the rain has stopped.

The half way point in Stanley Park. Stanley park is called the jewel of Vancouver. It is a very large part, 10 km to run around. It is almost totally surrounded by the ocean.

Another view of Stanley Park by the seawall.

The Botanical Gardens in Stanley Park.

By Sunset Beach heading east to the highest point on the course.

Running up the Burrard Street Bridge, the highest point, about 100 ft.

Looking back from the top of Burrard Street Bridge.

Marathon supporters partying at Kitsilano Beach.

The best sign on the whole course.

My very own cheering squad. L to R--Betty, Judy and my sweetheart Amy.

20 mile point. Going west to University of BC.

The last turn at the out and back, just 5.7 miles to go.

Totem pole near the Maritime Museum.

Near the Planetarium just before going under the Burrard Street Bridge.

300 yards to go still fresh.

Gotta stop for one last photo before we cross over.

Arms held high as we finish.

Hey, Dude, we made it, wanna picture?

My running partner and niece, Violet (Violent) with our medals.

Inside B.C. Place Stadium for the food--lots and lots of food.