2027 Vancouver Lake Half Marathon & 4 Mile Run

The Vancouver Lake Half Marathon is a winter race with a small-town soul. The course begins inside Vancouver Lake Park, heads south on Reiger Road for two miles to a turnaround marked by reflectors, then returns past the park and onto a bike path that leads to Frenchman's Bar. It's an out-and-back with a loop through the park, and the terrain is almost entirely flat—the kind of course where runners chase personal bests without worrying about hills.

The field is deliberately capped at 475 entries due to limited parking, which keeps the atmosphere intimate and low-key. In recent years about 272 runners have finished, with a growing trend, and they come from as far as 11 states. About 10% return in later years, suggesting a quiet loyalty. The race has been run for 24 editions, most recently in 2026, and the typical winning time is around 69 minutes—competitive but not intimidating.

What sets this race apart is the finish: homemade cookies await at the end, a warm touch on a cold February morning. With start times staggered for walkers and runners, and a course that closes at 1:15 PM, it's a welcoming event for all paces. The setting is peaceful—Vancouver Lake and the surrounding parkland—and the flat, well-marked route makes it a solid choice for a PR or a first half marathon.