Run the Rock | Texada Island | Marathon, Half Marathon, 8K
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

*Ask about an early start

Marathon, Half-Marathon, and 8K on Texada Island!

Sponsors & Partners

Qathet Regional District
Gillies Bay Fire Department
LaFarge
TACT
PaceSetter Athletic Footwear
Save On Foods
Texada Market
Texada Island Inn
Septaliger Arts
Powell River Peak - voice of the qathet region
Comox Valley Road Runners
Mary Mary Cafe
The Rock Shop
Sea Dreams
32 Lakes Cafe and Bakery
Townsite Brewing Inc
Supercharger Pizza
Powell River Climbing Coop
Sandy McCormick
Doby Dobrostanski
Texada Home & Garden
BC Athletics

How to Register

Note: No race weekend registration for marathon or half. Race morning registration for 8K only.

REGISTER ONLINE CONFIRMATION LIST

Marathon or Half Entry Fees:

  • $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.
2024 T-shirt design
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

Courses

Course Map 2016

Run the Rock Half Marathon route, Texada Island BC
Half Marathon: click to enlarge

elevation chart for Run the Rock half marathon, Texada Island, BC
Elevation chart: click to enlarge
Run the Rock Marathon route, Texada Island BC
Marathon: click to enlarge

elevation chart for Run the Rock marathon, Texada Island, BC
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

Run the Rock 8k route, Texada Island BC
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.

Click for interactive 8K course map and elevation chart

Runner Amenities

scenic course

Gear Check

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

start/finish at Shelter Point Regional Park scenic course

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.

See Google Map.

Accommodation

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!

Shelter Point Sunset Shelter Point Concession

If camping's not your thing, see the TACT website for many more Texada accommodation options.

Results

awards ceremony

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.

Awards Details

Medals for first male & female in Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8k.

Race Photos

2023 Gallery — updated Aug 26

Volunteer

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.

Questions?

Contact Linda Krepinsky, Race Director, at 416-554-9663, or info@runtexada.ca.

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