Our First Contest Winner for 2012!

We are happy to announce the winner of our first prize package for this year's Fun Run: EA Sports NHL 12 for Xbox 360, a $25 Running Room gift certificate, and a 2 GB pen-drive.

Congratulations to Lorna Jackson!!

We'll be in touch.

Please watch our Facebook page as we'll be creating a new Facebook contest tab and will run further promotions leading up to the run!!!

Thank you!

The PMC Science Fair Fun Run Team

Photo Essay - Fun 5K Route in West Vancouver

Ambleside to Woodcroft Out and Back

Vancouver is defined by water - rivers, lakes, and of course the Pacific Ocean. For runners this provides the opportunity to explore routes that offer fun training in a natural setting. Today's out and back route is located just over the Lions Gate Bridge (from downtown) in West Vancouver. Starting and ending at the concession stand in Ambleside Park, the route begins by the ocean, but soon follows the Capilano River along a mix of paved and unpaved trails - with a little bit of forest thrown in before the turn around.

The route is flat to slightly uphill on the way out (it follows the river upstream) then of course, slightly downhill to flat on the way back. There are two options to take before the turn around point: stay straight on the main trail and flat to the end, or go left on a short, fun uphill on slightly more rugged trail.

Total Distance by GPS = 5.10 k
Route – Flat to slightly rolling except one hill at the end if you choose.
Parking is free.
For a map of the route click here.

The start looking west

Freighters

Heading east

Downtown vancouver

Train bridge

Grafitti

Awesome green moss

Under marine drive

Brother's creek

Trail by river

Go left uphill, or go straight flat to turn around

Turn around point a

Turn around point b

Heading back downstream

River meets ocean

Back at the beach

The crow

Photo Essays - Our Favourite Running Routes

Many people believe the Lower Mainland offers runners some of the best running routes in the country. Whether you prefer trail or road (or combinations of both) the opportunities are endless. Those of us that live here are lucky to have so many options available.

This is part one of a series of photo essays on some of the best 5k (or shorter) running routes we have found. We will try to cover many areas of Vancouver and the surrounding municipalities. If you have a route you would like us to explore please let us know!

The Coal Harbour, Brockton Point, Beaver Lake Loop

This route starts in Stanley Park at the parking lot nearest to Coal Harbour (first parking lot after entering the park from Georgia Street). Heading east on the seawall runners run towards the Nine O'Clock Gun. Stay on the seawall all the way around past Brockton Point, the Mermaid and Lumberman's Arch until you reach the Beaver Creek Bridge (currently under construction).

Leave the seawall at the bridge heading up towards Pipeline Road. Head south on Pipeline Road back towards Georgia Street, passing the Beaver Lake Trail in the process. This is the only hill on the route - it's not long. Pass the world famous Rose Gardens and upon reaching the traffic circle from Georgia Street, head east under the overpass, back to the seawall and back to the starting point.

Total Distance by GPS = 5.04 k (though a couple photo opportunities probably added a little distance)

Route – Flat except one gradual hill on Pipeline Road
Don't forget to take some change as parking in the park isn't free!
For a map of the route click here.

Parking lot starting point

Coal harbour

Looking back - royal vancouver yacht club

Entry to dead man island

Heading east

Totem poles

Nine o'clock gun

Brockton point

First view of the lions gate

Awesome tree

She must be cold

Very cool

Writing in the sand

The gull

Leaving the seawall

The fog was amazing.

Up the hill, it's not steep

Looked like it was on fire

Famous rose gardens

Heading back to the seawall

The seawall again

Heading home