In Photos: 45th Vancouver Marathon goes the distance

Celebrated as one of the world's top destination races, the Vancouver Marathon is the city's only race of this distance and the country's longest-continuous marathon.

Megan Stewart May 2, 2016 4:59 PM

running marathon — Early-moring sun shines on thousands of runners as they cross the Cambie Bridge during the BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

Celebrated as one of the world's top destination races, the Vancouver Marathon is the city's only race of this distance and the country's longest-continuous marathon.

Sponsored by BMO, the race includes a half-marathon, eight-kilometre race, a relay, run for children and a 2.5-km walk.

Read More: Kipkoech, Guangul upgrade to gold in Vancouver Marathon

This year, 4,905 racers registered for the marathon, including 1,979 women and 2,907 men.

In the half-marathon, 5,073 women and 3,538 men registered.

marathon — Runners cross the Cambie Bridge and head south into Yaletown during the BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Women wearing "Sole Girls" t-shirts cheer runners as they cross the Cambie Bridge during the BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Runners pace along Mainland Street through Yaletown during the BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Runners make their way along Mainland Street through Yaletown during the BMO Vancouver Half-Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Runners warm up near the startline at Queen Elizabeth Park before the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Nearly 5,000 runners registered for the 45th Vancouver Marathon, held this year on May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

marathon running — Daniel Kipkoech and Habteselassa Lemma Gemechu, who would finish first and second, reach for water at one of the first stations along the course of the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Leading the elite racers on Blanca Street at the 13th kilometre-mark, Habteselassa Lemma Gemechu gains a slight step on eventual winner Daniel Kipkoech during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Daniel Kipkoech and Habteselassa Lemma Gemechu run along the Seawall as they approach the final 10 kilometres around Stanley Park during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — A runner hydrates at a water station at West 16th Avenue and Blanca Street before continuing through Pacific Spirit Park during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Runners hydrate and pour water on themselves before continuing through Pacific Spirit Park during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — A runner pours water over her head before continuing through Pacific Spirit Park during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Runners head out and return on a short, back-and-forth spur on Blanca Street near UBC before continuing through Pacific Spirit Park during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — As runners cover more than 70 kilometres of pavement through the city in multiple races, hundreds of volunteers support (and clean up after) racers during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

marathon running — A pace-setter, wearing the pink bunny ears, leads racers run along the Seawall in the West End during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

marathon running — Racers run along the Seawall in the West End during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt

running marathon — Running past English Bay, racers make their way toward the final 10 kilometres around Stanley Park during the BMO Vancouver Marathon May 1, 2016. Photo Rob Kruyt