Whether you're a serious runner or just like to go out for a casual jog, Vancouver, British Columbia is the place to be if you enjoy running in the great outdoors. Just minutes from Downtown Vancouver, the Stanley Park Seawall offers a stunningly picturesque route, with breathtaking views of the city, the North Shore Mountains and the sea. Traffic and fumes are left behind as you run along the perimeter of Vancouver's first park, dedicated by Governor General Lord Stanley in 1889, "to the use and enjoyment of people of all colours, creeds and customs, for all time", a thousand-acre wooded oasis right next to Vancouvers downtown core. Entering the park from the Georgia Street entrance you'll encounter the Vancouver Rowing Club with its heritage-designated clubhouse and magnificent view of Coal Harbour. About a kilometre in you'll run past Deadman's Island, home of the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve HMCS Discovery. 1.5 km
If you are running in the evening you may hear Vancouver's famous 9:00 oclock gun which has boomed out a mariner's time signal in Stanley Park for over 100 years. 2 km
At two kilometres you'll make the turn at Brockton Point, a scenic lookout where you can stop and stretch and home to one of the park's two lighthouses. Leaving Coal Harbour you are now running alongside Burrard Inlet with a spectacular view of North and West Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains on the opposite shore. 4.5 km
Vancouver's landmark Lion's Gate Bridge looms high overhead and as you run under the bridge you can see the freighters at anchor in English Bay awaiting their turn to enter Canada's busiest port. Just past the bridge, Prospect Point and the park's second lighthouse come into view. 6 km
A well-known rock outcropping, Siwash Rock, greets you at the 6 kilometre mark. According to Squamish First Nation legend, the 18 meter tall rock is the embodiment of a young chief and his proud devotion to his young bride and soon-to-be born son. 7 km
You are now heading south along Third Beach and at the 7 km mark is Ferguson Point. Youll find washrooms and a concession here and, if you're too hot to keep running, Third Beach is the perfect spot to cool off by going for a swim in the ocean. Life guards are on duty at Ferguson Point during the summer months. 8 km
Just before reaching Second Beach you have a choice: continue straight along the Vancouver Seawall for a longer run or turn left at Lost Lagoon. To complete your 9 km run around Stanley Park, take a left and continue along the path on the south side of Lost Lagoon. You'll likely see many different species of birds, including swans, herons and Canada Geese. At the end of the lagoon you'll cross under Georgia Street and end up at the entrance to the park where you started your adventure! The Stanley Park Seawall is one of the planet's truly memorable runs and the scenic vistas provide as good a reason as any to leave your hotel room and strap on those Nikes. What are you waiting for? |
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