Sun Run 2023: The ambience more than made up for the weather on race day
The 2023 edition of The Vancouver Sun Run had its in-person race on Sunday April 16, 2023. John Gay (29:40)was the first man, and Leslie Sexton (32:22) the first woman to cross the finish line in the 10K race, while Leo Sammarelli (35:18) won the wheelchair race. The Vancouver Sun Run also welcomed its One Millionth finisher!
“A little rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of Vancouver Sun Run participants. It was amazing to see so many happy, enthusiastic people of all ages turn out to share in this Vancouver tradition,” said Vancouver Sun Editor-in-Chief Harold Munro.
This was the city’s 39th Sun Run. The 10 kilometre road race was founded in 1985 by former Canadian Olympians Dr. Doug and Diane Clement along with Dr. Jack Taunton. The Vancouver Sun Run is Canada’s largest 10K road race and the 3rd largest timed 10K in North America. “It was created to get people to change their lifestyles and we love the fact we have elite athletes and walkers doing 10K for the first time” said Race Director Tim Hopkins, “we don’t target the fastest runners, it’s about creating positive lifestyle changes.”
In 2007, a record 54,317 people ran the race. The run skipped a year in 2020, paused due to COVID-19 restrictions, but returned in 2021 in a virtual format. The race returned in person in 2022, with approximately 23,000 participants. The jump from 23,000 participants in 2022 to 35,612 in 2023, was a record year-over-year increase.
Long time partner Kal Tire stepped into the Presenting Role, while long-standing sponsor, Shaw Communications returned to support both the Shaw Team Division and Shaw Mini Sun Run 2.5k. OASIS returned as the presenting sponsor of the Youth Team Challenge, and Pacific Blue Cross continued their support of the walking division ‘Walk with Pacific Blue Cross’. New partner Subaru joined the event as the official automotive partner and sponsor of the Volunteer Crew program, along with new partner freshprep who presented the Virtual Sun Run.
As for a soggy Sunday, winning in the rain was not lost on Gay. It was so very Vancouver.
“The whole running community comes out. My twin brother just ran his first 10K today, my parents are running and my sister is running. It’s as vibrant again as it was pre-pandemic.”
Please enjoy the race highlights below captured by the Official Automotive Partner Subaru Canada
Congratulations to all of the event organizers, sponsors, and participants on another successful Vancouver Sun Run. See you again at the 40th Anniversary next year on April 21, 2024!
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