The BMO Vancouver Marathon has been named one of the world's 10 top marathons worth travelling for by U.S. business magazine Forbes.
This is the second time that Vancouver has made the list, after debuting in 2012.
About 70% of the course for the 43rd running of the Vancouver marathon, which takes place on May 4, flaunts shoreline views, according to Forbes.
The route "takes more advantage of the scenic city sites including its unique neighbourhoods, world-class parks and its expansive seawall," Forbes notes.
"The trek, limited to 5,000 participants, begins in Queen Elizabeth Park and goes through several neighborhoods, passing the beaches at Spanish Banks and entering Stanley Park before finishing in Vancouver's downtown."
Other marathons that made Forbes' list include:
•Napa Valley Marathon (USA);
•Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris (France);
•Virgin Money London Marathon (England);
•Boston Marathon (USA);
•Big Sur International Marathon (USA);
•Great Wall Marathon (China);
•Marathon de la Baie du Mont Saint-Michel (France);
•Big Five Marathon (South Africa); and
•Athens Classic Marathon (Greece).
"The 5,000 runners is only for the marathon itself," Vancouver International Marathon Society executive director Charlene Krepiakevich told Business in Vancouver February 11. "We also have a half-marathon and an eight-kilometre run as well so overall we'll have about 17,000 registered runners."
She said that an economic study done following the 2013 marathon revealed that the event generates about $42 million in direct spending and a $53.6 million economic impact.
