The Whistler Half Marathon started as an annual road race held with in the unceded territories of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation on the lands commonly referred to today as Whistler, British Columbia. The concept of starting the event emerged from two primary ideas. Firstly, race founder Dave Clark was travelling away from his home in Whistler to attend other half marathon running races around the province and finally had the thought of “why not start one in Whistler?”. Secondly, Dave had been looking at unique ways to raise money to support research into inflammatory Bowel Disease and wanted to support funding for this work through Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and felt that starting this event might just do that!

Planning for first Whistler Half Marathon began in 2010 and was expected to be a relatively small, local event. The original road race was designed to offer a unique experience for runners, with its picturesque course winding through the beautiful landscapes of Whistler. It quickly became known for being more than just a race—it’s a celebration of the stunning mountain scenery, pristine lakes, and the village’s outdoor lifestyle. Over the years, the course has changed from an all-paved route to being held entirely on whistler’s extensive trail network. While there are still some paved trail sections, the focus is on the natural environment that Whistler is renowned for. Today, the event is operated by Coast Mountain Trail Running, and happens over 3 days offering something for everyone, even the non-runner, and welcomes more than 1500 participants each year. Participants from all corners of the globe have taken part in the event since 2011, and it remains a “must do” run for athletes all over the Pacific Northwest.

The event takes place the first weekend in June, offering participants a chance to race during the spring season in a resort town known for its world-class skiing and outdoor activities. The half marathon course covers 21.1 kilometers, with runners experiencing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and lakes, including Green Lake and Lost Lake. The race offers a combination of flat, rolling, and downhill terrain, making it challenging but also accessible for runners of varying abilities. The Volunteer contingent that is integral to this event has time and again been recognized by participants as welcoming, caring, and encouraging; something we are very grateful for. Without volunteers this event would never have seen the light of day!

If you have run with us, you are part of this history. If you haven’t, we hope you join us in the future and be part of a very special event in a very special place.