Register for the series at the RVM Expo win shoes from Frontrunners Footwear

Register for the 2023 Vancouver Island Race Series Friday, Oct 7 or Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Royal Victoria Marathon Expo and be automatically in the draw for a pair of shoes from series sponsor Frontrunners Footwear.

The Royal Victoria Marathon Expo will take place at the Crystal Gardens in Downtown Victoria on Friday and Saturday. When runners visit the expo to pick up their marathon, half-marathon or 8K race package, register for the 2023 Vancouver Island Race Series.

The series is back to eight, in-person road events starting Sunday, January 8 with the Harriers Pioneer 8K and wraps up with the series awards and final race the Synergy Health Centre Bazan Bay 5K on Sunday, April 23.

Register for all eight races with a season pass for $150 (early bird fee), which works out to $18.75 per race — pre-Covid pricing!

At the end of the expo, all registrants will be in the draw for a new pair of runners from Frontrunners Footwear. Visit their booth while at the expo.

Shoes may not be model displayed here….however, Saucony is a series sponsor — shop Saucony at Frontrunners.

The 2023 series is back to eight in-person races and 2020 pricing

After two virtual pandemic years and a shortened 2022 season, the Vancouver Island Race Series is back to eight races.

The season starts on Sunday, January 8, 2023 with the Harriers Pioneer 8K and wraps up with the Synergy Health Centre Bazan Bay 5K and series awards presentation on Sunday, April 23.

Port Alberni is back after a hiatus. The Paper Chase 15K will now be the McLean Mill 10K. The race will now start and end at the National Historic site of McLean Mill.


The purpose is to provide a more popular distance, take out a few hills and provide a stunning environment to host the Port Alberni fixture. Additionally, the race goes Sunday, April 2 to ensure the likelihood of good weather.

The popular Nanaimo Cedar 12K is back and is once again the third race of the series after the Harriers Pioneer 8K and Cobble Hill 10K happen in January.

Meanwhile, Cobble Hill’s route — already fast — is going to be even faster. The host club Ceevacs have worked with course measurer Gary Duncan to remove three hills and the tangent that went through town.

Even though the cost of everything seems to be going up, the series is in a great place financially, and VIRA is pleased to offer the same pricing as 2020 at $150 as the early rate for a season pass and $175 for late race registration.

Individual races will remain at $25 early and $30 late.

Registration will open on Oct. 7 for the season pass and Nov. 12 for individual races.