Brian O’Mahony

Apr 30, 20228 min read

Vancouver Marathon

18,500 runners from 65 countries, racing around Canada's largest port and the gateway to beautiful British Columbia. This trip was full of sightseeing, adventuring and catching up with old friends. An incredible experience that inspired a leap of faith which would change my life. But more on that below.

This was the second marathon in my journey to join the Seven Continents Club.

Background

It began with a British Airways flash sale. Dublin to Vancouver for €179 each way was too good to miss. Conall Sweeney emigrated last September and offered me a bed and to join for the race. Originally he'd do the half marathon, but decided to go for the full, as did our friends Oisín & Cathal.

With other friends Anthony, Antonella, Sinead, Aidan and Luke in the city too it was setup to be a great trip. A convenient flight via Heathrow, followed by an inconvenient random Covid test had me welcomed to Canada. Thirty minutes later I was at the house for a lovely evening meeting the housemates.

Collecting race packs from the expo on Saturday was fun. They had samples of the aid station food and drinks along with other free stuff. After that we walked for hours exploring the city, saw the steam clock and took the Aquabus (which Luke drives) to Granville Island for lunch and donuts. We met Oisin and the highlight of the day was Cirque de Soleis which blew my mind. Only a week before I said I'd love to see this, with no idea their tour was here. I would highly recommend it to anyone.

The Race

Jetlag gifted me four hours sleep and I questionably opted for a breakfast of donuts. A fifteen minute walk later, we were feeling the buzz at the start line. We met Cathal and awaited Oisín who was sprinting from home after sleeping in. Eventually Conall and I were slotted in behind the 4:00hr pacers and the countdown loomed. I wasn't sure if I'd manage that target based on my training but it was a good place to start.

Organisers apologised for being on indigenous lands, in some virtue signalling the circus had also done, then they sang the national anthem. There was a great atmosphere and very quickly we were off.

It was overcast and mild to start, on wide roads with plenty of space. The pacers seemed like rockets and we pushed hard at times to keep with them.

I was instantly blown away by the level of support on the streets. Constant cheering and always something that would make you laugh. Ridiculous costumes and so many signs like "Don't trust that fart" or "F**k your shin splints". The first 10K flew by, running through a rolling suburbia with a few surprisingly big hills. The aid stations had a tasty lemon electrolyte drink and soft energy jellies that melted in your mouth.

By 15km we were approaching British Columbia University as we ran through a massive forest. A whole new feel with tree cover and a remote vibe. It was here, far from the city that we took our first pee breaks and had tough times catching up to the pacers after. They seemed to be sprinting and it had me so confused since I ran a 1:41 half marathon with ease two weeks ago. This felt way tougher and I'd like to blame the jet lag. We did catch up eventually, but a second pee break around 18km killed me. I never caught up again and just committed to my own race.

At this stage we'd left the forest and began the coastal road which would lead all the way to the finish. By now it was hot and water was important. I was struggling as I crossed the halfway line, not feeling myself. A mix of running and walking carried me past beaches and coastal views. After Kitsilano I was delighted to reach Burrard Street Bridge at 30km. The incline up and over was surprisingly tough but it was a great milestone.

Now for the most exciting leg; 10km along the Stanley Park seawall. I was dead at this stage, fighting what felt like a losing battle. It wasn't pretty, but I put the head down and trudged on. The best views of the race were a nice distraction too. Stunning cliffs, a run through a lighthouse, boats everywhere, the biggest bridge I'd ever seen and eventually I could see the skyscrapers of the city centre.

The last 2km brought us over a bridge and onto the main street. I could hear the roar of the finish and felt tiny with the buildings towering over me. I was zapped of all energy but I ran until the end for a time of 4:27:18.

After getting my goodie bag, I found Conall and his big crew of supporters. They were great, having made signs and cheering for us as we finished. I needed about 30mins lying down on the road to feel human again, but was fine to walk home then. Conall had finished with 4:03:56 and we were both delighted.

Post race we had well deserved showers, lots of food and went out for drinks. His friends gave me lots of recommendations that night and I was excited for the holiday to begin.

The Trip

I really expected my marathon tiredness to cure the jetlag, but it didn't. I never slept more than four hours any night, this one included. At 6:00am the next day I was one of the first into Tim Horton's for some Tim Bits and explored all the nearby parks.

Conall had work Monday & Tuesday but Luke was off for those. He and I explored the city and did a ferry day trip to Bowen Island. Out there we climbed the highest peak (no rest for my legs), saw Killarney Lake and got some class tacos on what felt like a great adventure. We fit in lots around the city, got loads of cool food, visited friends old and new, and made plans for the rest of the week.

With Conall now finished work, Anthony collected us before 6:00am on Wednesday to head for Squamish. This adventure paradise is an hour north of Vancouver and somewhere I've always heard of in kayaking. Climbing Stawamus Chief was a highlight of the whole trip and exploring the town felt like being back in the Alps with the guys. We met Anthony's friend Ben, drove up the Squamish Valley road, saw rivers like the Ashlu and the areas where the guys go camping. On the way back we made a few stops and drove all over the city. A busy but unreal day with tonnes of exploring and finished it with an Escape Room and two dinners (trying to fit in all the best food spots too).

On Thursday, Conall and I rented a car and headed north again. With stops in Squamish, Shannon Falls and the trainwreck site, we eventually reached Whistler. This is the most famous ski resort in North America since hosting the Winter Olympics in 2010. After walking the town and driving up the mountains, our night was spent in the outdoor Scandinavian Baths which were the perfect remedy for our battered legs. This place is so relaxing and the ice cold waterfall is incredible! Food, drinks, more exploring and a hotel stay, but still only four hours sleep!

Friday saw us head further north to a small town called Pemberton where I loved Nairn Falls and the whole area. The Sea to Sky Highway joins Vancouver to here and is touted as the worlds most scenic road. It has countless cool stops that slowed our return like Brandywine Falls which is crazy. We made it to the Brittania Mining Museum (propaganda design by Disney), the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, Cleveland Dam and Deep Cove where we saw a boat named Craggy Island. Over drinks at Anthony's that night we all kitted out our boats for tomorrow.

Saturday brought another early start to head east with Anthony, Aidan & Conall. Exploring lakes and small towns until we met the 34 others from Vancouver Whitewater Club near the city of Chilliwack. We paddled the Statlu (IV) & Chehalis (III+) rivers with them which were unbelievably fun. Alpine style big creeking with crazy tall trees and mountains on all sides. Beautiful gorges and exactly the fun type of river trip I'd hoped to fit in.

They were such a nice bunch and as we drank and chatted with everyone after we were truly in paradise. They're so spoilt for choice when it comes to amazing and consistent rivers. More exploration brought us to the diner from Riverdale (Canadian TV-show) and eventually home.

My body clock was completely screwed up after two parties that night but entirely worth it. Two hours sleep later and I was meeting Anthony, Antonella and Sinead for breakfast and the thickest French toast I've ever seen. I saw the last of the sights, grabbed souvenirs, got one last dinner, some hugs and goodbyes, then off I went for home. A perfect trip.

Afterthoughts

I couldn't fault the marathon and the Canadian support was top notch. I loved the variety of what you ran through and hilly as it was, I was never bored. I had never seen skyscrapers like the finish line before and loved the novelty of standing beneath them on what would normally be a busy main road. The coastal section around Stanley Park was pristine and I'd highly recommend this race.

Beyond that, the entire trip was amazing. Old friends, new friends and some crazy sightseeing. Two 'Canadian hikes' which included ropes and ladders, and a day kayaking in one of the most beautiful valleys I've ever seen. It exceeded every expectation I'd had and I'm so thankful to Conall and the guys for making it happen. A week was tight but I fit in everything I wanted and more.

The Scandinavian Baths with marathon tired legs were other worldly. Watching steam rise through cold rain to the mountains, and later through the dark sky with fairy lights around. Cirque de Soleis was a distant memory by the end, but that and everything in between blew my mind. Huge waterfalls, huge forests and picture perfect views all around.

The city was expensive but great. I loved the mountain backdrop and just how young, fit and outdoorsy everyone is. Everywhere is spotless and I never saw any litter. I loved the novelty of giant trucks, high end cars and even just seeing the shops & restaurants which dominate TV culture like Walmart or the likes. You're never more than two hours from world class hiking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing or just exploring and it's easy to see what draws people here.

The food was amazing too, be that the 'proper food' like the poutines, taco's, burritos and fancier meals I got plenty of. Or the donuts, McGriddles and Fatburger I should have had less of. Either way, I ate non stop during the trip and got some incredible and varied things.

In Closing

So that's a wrap. There wasn't much rest on the way home with a missed flight and some airport sprints. The jetlag was worse on the way back and sleep deprivation got pretty bad over the following week.

It was an eye opening trip with lots of time to think. After peaking behind the curtain I realised Vancouver isn't somewhere I'd like to live just now, but it did inspire me to jump head first into the next chapter. The day I got home, I handed in my notice in work and started putting the wheels in motion for some big trips. Watch this space, lots more to come...