First Half Update

The good news - the race is on.

The bad news - we'll be running over Prospect Point.

There's a reason I only did the Vancouver International Half Marathon once and it's name is Prospect Point! Oh well, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Or it puts hair on our chest. If the latter, I'm definitely dropping out of the race!


Dear Alison

This is a final pre-race update for the 2007 “First Half” Half Marathon.

We want to reassure you that the race will go ahead as scheduled, starting at 8:30am on Sunday, February 11, despite the damage caused to Stanley Park by December’s windstorm. However, the closure of a section of the seawall has necessitated some changes to the course this year. The most significant change is that the course will follow Stanley Park Drive from the foot of Pipeline Road, up and over Prospect Point (elevation 210 feet), and back down to Second Beach; rather than using the seawall around Prospect Point. This section of Stanley Park Drive will be closed to traffic. To keep the race distance an exact half marathon, there will also be a short-cut at Brockton Point, and the start line will move one block east to the corner of Pacific and Davie. A revised course map is available on our website, www.pacificroadrunners.ca/firsthalf, and will be included in your race packet.

We would like to thank the Vancouver Parks Board for their help in ensuring that the race goes ahead with minimum disruption. The revised course will provide you with a close-up view of the destruction caused. The estimated cost to repair the damage is $9 million. While we will not redirect the proceeds from the “First Half”, which are promised to Variety – the Children’s Charity, we will be accepting donations to the Stanley Park Tree Fund at packet pickup and at the awards following the race.

Finally, if you are no longer expecting to run the “First Half” this year, why not volunteer instead? We are still in need of volunteers in several areas, and your help would be much appreciated. You can volunteer through our website at www.pacificroadrunners.ca/firsthalf.

We look forward to seeing you on February 11, and hope you accomplish whatever goals you may have set yourself.

Pacific Road Runners “First Half” Race Committee