For the Long Run: A Marathon Weekend Worth the Miles

This year’s Vancouver Marathon isn’t just about race day—it’s about every moment that leads up to it. Enter For the Long Run, a four-day celebration hosted by local running shop RunAsYouAre, in partnership with Nike and RunReady, designed to honour the journey, not just the finish line.

Taking place May 1–4 in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood, the weekend will feature a vibrant lineup of community events including shakeout runs, food trucks, shoe demos, cheer stations, and even a recovery lounge for post-race rejuvenation. A highlight? The postcard-writing station, where runners can pen thank-you notes to the loved ones who supported their training. Designed by Vancouver artist Carson Ting, the postcards are collectible keepsakes—and RunAsYouAre will even mail them out.

There’s also a fresh drop of Unofficial Marathon Tees, a collaborative design between Nike, RunAsYouAre, and Ting. For runners looking to check in on their bodies ahead of the big day, complimentary physiotherapy assessments will be offered by RunReady.

“Everything we planned was about making it easier to connect,” says RunAsYouAre co-founder Rob Smith. “The run clubs, the races, the small in-between moments—we all know those are where the good stuff happens.”

Whether you’re running the race or cheering from the sidelines, For the Long Run promises an experience rooted in community, gratitude, and celebration. Because getting to the start line is a victory in itself. —Noa Nichol