After a five-year hiatus, the beloved Kelowna International Marathon and Apple Race Series is making a comeback on Sept. 29.
In addition to the hallmark 42.2km race, there will also be a half marathon, an 8 km race held on Sunday, Sept. 29, all run by the Apple Race Series Organization. Additionally, a family fun run that is open to all will be held the day before the competitive races, on Sept. 28.
The course begins at Kelowna's City Park. After the gun goes off, runners will head north through downtown on paved roads and bike paths before turning back and returning to City Park. Then, the athletes will head south on the Abbott Street bike path along Okanagan Lake, looping around Okanagan College. The course then follows the lake back to City Park where a party will be taking place. Once back in City Park, marathon runners will loop through by the race start to begin their second lap and half marathon runners will cross the finish line.
The marathon and half marathon course follow the same route but marathoners will complete two full loops.
The Apple Race Series notes that the course is fast and flat – making it ideal for running a new personal best time. Additionally, the Apple Marathon is certified by Athletics Canada and is a Boston qualifier.
The 8 km course also begins and ends at Kelowna's City Park. Runners in the 8km distance start one hour after the marathon begins. The short-course athletes will follow the same route as the long-distance competitors before splitting from the route at Richter Street and Weddell Place. They then rejoin the marathon and half marathon route at Bay Avenue and Jones Street and will run back towards the finish at City Park.
Roads and parking lots will be closed in downtown and across the city from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. to accommodate the festivities. Police and traffic control will oversee all road changes throughout the course.
For more information on road closures and the event, visit appleraceseries.com/traffic-impact.
Registration is still open for the event at appleraceseries.com/marathon-race-weekend.