The Vancouver Island Runners’ Association (VIRA) board has been working hard to modernize its branding. Today, we are pleased to introduce a new logo and name for VIRA.

The name, legally speaking, remains as “VIRA.” VIRA is an association in good standing with the BC Societies Act. The marketing going forward will now be the new and improved “Run Van Isle.” The logo below depicts Vancouver Island and uses the same colour scheme as the Vancouver Island Race Series logo: Green for the forest, blue for the ocean and sky and the trim colour or shade of black.

Catchy and concise, yes?

The change to Run Van Isle was inspired in part by Run Van, which is the Vancouver International Runners Society, the organization that puts on the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Also, Run Sport, is the organization that brings you the TC10K race in April each year.

VIRA or Run Van Isle owns the Vancouver Island Race Series, member clubs organize each event.

The board would like to thank everyone who provided feedback during our crowdsourcing over social media to narrow down the general look and the specific layout. The sub-committee was led by secretary Kate Guy of Speedfarm and included Mariah Kelly (at-large) with The Track Club and Christopher Kelsall president and general manager of Run Van Isle and the series, and is a member of the Prairie Inn Harriers Running Club.

For all those who may wonder what is VIRA or Run Van Isle? Well, let us tell you.

Run Van Isle provides marketing, liability insurance and decades of race organization expertise to member clubs and races on Vancouver Island. The fee for a club or a race to be a member is $100/year.

Run Van Isle is made up of board members from each club that hosts a Vancouver Island Race Series event. Also, there are at-large board members who bring to the table a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise.