Vancouver is one of world’s top running cities. This west coast seaport has a spectacular geographic setting on the Pacific Ocean, with a Hong Kong-esque downtown featuring huge skyscrapers, surrounded by ocean and mountains. Our guide to running in Vancouver takes full advantage of the large network of scenic parks and waterfront trails. This includes the downtown/central area and the cities of Richmond, Burnaby, and Surrey that are part of the 21 municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver.
In central Vancouver, the iconic runs are in the 1,000-acre Stanley Park, the 17-mile Seawall (the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path), and around False Creek. Head west to enjoy the posh Point Grey neighborhood, the spectacular UBC campus, and trail running in the Pacific Spirit Park. Run over the Lion’s Great Bridge to enjoy some scenic running in North Vancouver on the Capilano Beach Trail. In southern Vancouver/Richmond, there are scenic waterfront runs at Iona Beach Park and dyke trails in Steveston. In the eastern suburb of Burnaby, there’s nice running around Burnaby Lake & Central Park, and trails on the campus of Simon Fraser University. Further east in Surrey, there’s good trail running in Tynehead & Surrey Bend parks, a loop around Branson Island and waterfront trails along Boundary Bay, Crescent Beach & White Rock Beach.
Runners should note that Vancouver’s weather is damp and chilly in winter (like Seattle), though summers are wonderfully mild and sunny. For transport, there’s a good bus system and an expanding light rail system, including sky train.
