Sun Run 2012 – Cheer Them On!

Tomorrow, Sunday April 15, is the running of the 28th annual Vancouver Sun Run, the world’s second largest timed 10k fun run. In 2011 a whopping 49,365 runners registered to run through the streets of Vancouver. Begun in 1985 with the goal of promoting the benefits of running to improve health and fitness, the first run had 3200 participants.  The Sun Run now boasts a volunteer contingent of over 3000, with runners from all over the world taking part in the fun.  Starting along Georgia Street the course takes runners into Stanley Park and along the shores of English Bay, across to Kitsalano and False Creek before winding up at BC Place Stadium. Even if you’re not a runner it’s easy to take part in the fun, there are plenty of places along the race course to come out and cheer on the runners. Even if you don’t know someone, the runners appreciate the encouragement and support.

To handle the volume of runners and specators throughout downtown many streets will be closed for the morning:

The following streets will be closed during the specified times on Sunday, April 15:

Georgia Street

Seymour to Bute (start area) 5:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Bute to the Causeway (including all streets crossing Georgia) 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Lions Gate Bridge: access from Pender Street only 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Various Downtown Streets

All streets within the area bounded by Dunsmuir/Melville to Robson, Seymour to Bute 5:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m

Denman – Georgia to Robson 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Robson – west of Denman to Stanley Park 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Beach Avenue, Stanley Park to Hornby St. 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park Dr at North Lagoon Dr 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Ryan Rd at Park Lane/South Lagoon Dr 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Pacific Boulevard

Nelson to Abbott 5:00 am to 1:30 pm

Abbott to Quebec 7:00 am to 1:30 pm

Expo Blvd – closed from Quebec to Terry Fox Way 7:30 am to 9:00 am

Bridge Closures

Burrard Bridge – all northbound traffic closed 8:30 a.m. – noon

Cambie Bridge – closed to all northbound traffic 8:30 a.m. – 1:00

South Vancouver

W 2nd Avenue – Burrard to Fir 8:30 a.m. – noon

Fir Street – W 2nd Ave to W 4th Ave 8:30 a.m. – noon

W 4th Avenue/W 6th Avenue – Pine to Cambie 8:30 a.m. – noon

Quebec, Keefer & Abbott Streets – closed to all traffic 7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m

If you’re coming downtown plan ahead and be prepared for delays, while it will be busy too, the best option is to take transit.