Texada's challenging course provides runners with serious bragging rights.
Marathon finishers have said it is the toughest road marathon in Canada. Come decide for yourself.
11th Edition
Run the Rock Marathon, Half & 8K
August 18th, 2024 — Texada Island, BC
Marathon: 7:00 am* — Shelter Point Regional Park
Half-Marathon: 8:30 am* — Van Anda School
8K: 10:30 am — Texada Island Airport
Finish — Shelter Point Regional Park
$60 regular (until July 31) / $70 late registration (Aug 1-16)
Includes runner's swag bag, Run the Rock 2024 t-shirt and souvenir finisher medal
8K Entry Fees:
$22 regular (until July 31) / $30 late registration (Aug 1-16)
Run the Rock 2024 t-shirt can be purchased for $25 on race day if available
Race day registration available at the start line until 10 am.
Run the Rock 2024 T-shirt Design
BC Athletics 'competitive' members get a $3 discount.
Proceeds will be donated to the Texada Island Food Bank and Texada Island Cancer Support Group.
NOTE: If wildfire smoke creates conditions that would make it unsafe for running, we are not in a position to provide full refunds. Registered runners would be provided with their race shirt and a 50% discount on registration for the following year.
Packet Pickup
Saturday: Half and Full Marathon, at the caretaker office at Shelter Point Regional Park
Sunday: Half Marathon pickup at start at Texada School in Van Anda
Sunday: 8K pickup at start at Texada Airport, up to 10 am
Courses
Half Marathon: click to enlarge
Elevation chart: click to enlarge
Marathon: click to enlarge
Elevation chart: click to enlarge
There will be no road closures in effect. However, traffic is generally light and RCMP will be out on the road, plus there will be caution signs along Gillies Bay Road. Runners must run on the left side of the road facing traffic unless otherwise directed by officials. All road crossings will have course marshals with traffic control signs. Failure to obey instructions of race officials or RCMP will result in immediate disqualification.
Marathon & Half Courses
The marathon is a loop course starting and finishing at Shelter Point Regional Park. The half marathon is a point-to-point route along the second half of the marathon route, starting at the Texada School in Van Anda. Click maps to enlarge.
The course will be open for 6 hours (contact race director for an early start); therefore, no walkers will be allowed in the full marathon. No runners under 16 years old will be permitted in the full marathon. Any runner with a disability must provide notice with registering so plans to accommodate can be made.
8K Course
8K: click to enlarge
The 8K starts at the Texada Airport, runs 180m up the road to the Lafarge Gate, then turns around and goes down Airport Road to the intersection with Gillies Bay Road at the Community Hall. Runners cross over Gillies Bay Road and proceed along the same route as the Full/Half Marathon to Shelter Point.
Gear check will be available at all starting points and stored in a secure location then brought to finish. However, runners should not leave valuables in bags as organizers cannot be responsible for loss of valuables.
Facilities
There are washrooms available at all starting locations.
Water and a sport drink will be available approximately every 5km in the first half and then approximately every 3km after that, to the finish. Some aid stops in the second half will have fruit slices. Locations: 4.5k, 10k, 14.9k, 20k, 22.2k, 25k, 27.3k, 29.7k, 32.6k, 36.2k, 38.7k. Additional water stops will be added after 30k if it is a hot day.
Travel & Accommodation
Getting Here
See TACT website for travel directions from Vancouver/Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. The ferry to Texada leaves from Powell River to Blubber Bay.
Shuttle van will meet the 6:50 am ferry from Powell River. Due to BC Ferries revised schedules this will not permit the Comox ferry connection on Sunday morning.
Marathoners will have to overnight on Texada. A ride from ferry on Saturday is available if arranged in advance.
Finishers will be shuttled back to Van Anda school if required. Vans will take runners back for the 3:30 pm ferry.
8K participants need to arrange their own ride to the start at the airport (carpooling from Shelter Point is encouraged). Check-in will be in the parking lot at the airport. A shuttle will be available to bring 8K finishers back to the airport parking lot after the event.
The ferry schedule is available online (be sure to select the schedule that covers August 18, 2024). The first ferry off the Island in the afternoon is at 3:30 pm.
Parking
There is ample parking available at all three starting locations.
Many runners choose to camp right at the finish line (and marathon start) at Shelter Point Regional Park. This is a beautiful, quiet campground with a full-time caretaker, concession, indoor washrooms/showers, firewood sales, grassy field, playground, nature trails, boat ramps, and over 2km of beach front. Reservations for group campsites only; individual sites are on a first-come, first-served basis. $25 per night. The lack of any major predators (bears, cougars, etc.) on the island means you can enjoy your camping experience without worry!
If camping's not your thing, see the TACT website for many more Texada accommodation options.
Results
Finish times will be recorded with a professional printer-timer device. A display clock will be set up at the finish line. Please make sure your bib number is clearly visible on your front.
This fun annual race relies on help from volunteers in the months leading up to race day and on the day of the event. If you'd like to join our team of awesome volunteers, please email us at info@runtexada.ca.