These events comprising 13 race distances from Vancouver to Montreal were announced as part of Athletics Canada’s 2024 Road Race Label program.

Now in its second year, the Road Running Label program brings together and helps raise the profile of the country’s premier marathons and road races, in line with Athletics Canada’s goal of supporting existing events while also aiming to increase the number of high-level competitions across the country.

This year’s slate of races, taking place from February to November 2024 in four provinces, is a mix of long-running national races such as the Vancouver Sun Run in its 40th year.^th year! and more recent and upcoming events.

“The first season of the Label road running program was a big win for runners and event organizers across Canada,” said Chris Winter, Director of National Programs and Safe Sport for Athletics Canada. “Canada’s best road racers made history on courses across Canada, while local organizers delivered first-class events for participants of all abilities. We can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store for these events in 2024!

Highlights from the 2023 Athletics Canada Road Race Label Program

Last year represented a strong rookie season for the road running label program, with a story on the course being written for both our elite runners and overall event participation.

Vancouver Island’s Cam Levins started the season in style by setting a new Canadian half marathon record in the first event of the series when he flew over the finish line of the “First Half” in Vancouver. His time of 1:00.18 is the new distance benchmark for Canadians. Will anyone attempt to achieve this record at this year’s event?

In May, Mohammed Ahmed won his first-ever national road race title at the Canadian 10K Championships in Ottawa, edging Cam Levins in the final kilometer. Ahmed, the decorated 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter track champion, used the Road Race label to win his 6^th national championship.

Malindi Elmore ran a blistering time of 2:27:45 to finish first Canadian and 2nd overall at the Ottawa International Marathon while in the 10 km, her 2020 Olympic teammate and Canadian marathon record holder, Natasha Wodak won another national title with a solid 32:52 score.

There were even more successes on the road with record participation in many events.

This was the case for West Coast, Best Coast when the “First Half” half-marathon was sold out, with more than 2,000 participants lined up in Vancouver. Later that year, the Vancouver Marathon/Half-Marathon/8K sold out, resulting in the largest event in its 60-year history, as more than 20,000 participants descended on the streets of Vancouver.

Further east, 27,000 runners registered for Ottawa Race Weekend, while the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon was also sold out for the first time in the marathon’s 34-year history. On top of that, the half marathon was sold out earlier than ever!

Athletics Canada 2024 Road Race Label Series