1. You're in Vancouver
1 of 15
Vancouver is such a gorgeous place to visit, especially during the month of August. Average temps are between the mid-70s and low 80s. There is plenty to do in Vancouver, from eating fresh-water fish to visiting incredible landmarks, make this a fun weekend getaway. Was food mentioned? There's an endless amount of restaurants to choose from. Want to explore the city? Rent a bike—the city is extremely bike-friendly.
2. You Can Sightsee
2 of 15
The SeaWall
If you only have one weekend to explore Vancouver, you can cross some landmarks off your list because you'll be able to see them as you run. The SeaWheeze course runs around Stanley Park, English Bat, Lions Gate Bridge, the famous SeaWall, lululemon's headquarters, Rogers Arena (home of NHL team Canucks), the 2010 Winter Olympic Village, Gastown, Kits Beach, Chinatown and more. You literally see a good chunk of Vancouver while running 21 kilometers.
3. It's All About FUN!
3 of 15
lululemon founder, Chip Wilson with Canadian Zoo
There is not one dull moment on the course. Lululemon went above and beyond to have entertainment along the course. If you need a little sugar stop, get some cotton candy. Need a boost of endurance? The cheering mermaids or the ivivva girls will encourage you. The Hawaiian luau, Chinese dragon dancers, stand-up paddle boarders, aerial dancers and SeaWheeze Canadian Zoo are all along the course to keep you trekking. Yes, the zoo animals are out there—they like to have fun, too.
4. Yoga, Yoga and More Yoga
4 of 15
Sunset Yoga at Kits Beach
Have you ever seen hundreds upon hundreds of people flow together? It truly is a sight to see. At the race expo, you can join in with other runners to get your legs ready for your 13.1-mile run or recover from the half in a sunset yoga class at Kits Beach. Your legs will thank you for the fabulous pre- and post-run stretch.
5. Finisher's Medal Is Great
5 of 15
There's nothing more upsetting than pushing yourself hard to cross the finish line only to get a dinky medal. Seriously, what do you do with all of your medals? Well, of course lululemon put this into consideration when they made their finisher's medal into something useful. The medal itself can be clipped on a zipper or be used for keys. The medal is held up by shoe laces, so you can throw your old laces away, spice up your running shoes with some color, and show off your accomplishment.
6. The SeaWheeze Showcase Store:
A.K.A. a Shopper's Delight! 6 of 15
Spend the afternoon shopping in the SeaWheeze Showcase store, picking up exclusive lululemon apparel. Everything in the store can only be found at the SeaWheeze store—you can't purchase products online or at any other lululemon shop. Not only will you see the traditional lululemon logo, but there's also a special SeaWheeze Half runner logo on each piece of gear. Happy shopping!
7. Who Knew Port-A-Potties Could Be so Cool?
7 of 15
Ugh, the dreaded port-a-potty...we all hate using them. But, the port-a-potties at The SeaWheeze are unique; they all smell like bubble gum and have inspirational quotes on them. They're definitely not your ordinary port-a-potties.
8. Run to Eat
8 of 15
by Erin Ireland
After completing 21K, your legs are tired and your stomach is ready to eat. You'll find fresh fruit, waffles, eggs, juice and more at the post-race breakfast festivities, provided by Bearfoot Bistro. You won't be disappointed.
9. No Tacky T-Shirts Allowed
9 of 15
Do you have piles and piles of old race shirts in your closet? If you do, you're not alone. Lululemon thought about how many runners get T-shirts that they don't usually wear. Instead of handing out tacky T-shirts, runners received exclusive running shorts and extremely comfy flip flops emblazoned with the SeaWheeze logo (by native). They are definitely more practical than a regular T-shirt.
10. The SeaWheeze Is Not a Breeze
10 of 15
Sure the course offers amazing scenery and spectacular fun zones, but that doesn't mean the course is flat and fast. It definitely tests your endurance. There are a handful of hills that aren't very steep but do incline gradually. But, the beauty and vibrancy of Vancouver helps ease the pain.
11. Pre- and Post-Race Fun
11 of 15
Besides the array of course entertainment, there is tons of music before and after the race. Before the race, runners warmed up together, which was led by fitness experts. As runners lined up in their corrals, they enjoyed more music and comical relief from local comedians and MCs. At the post-race party, people enjoyed a live concert, food, water-front views and more...let's say it's one phenomenal bash.
12. Spectators Are Not Forgotten
12 of 15
You've got to give some love to all of your supporters. People stand outside, rain or shine, to cheer you on so you can run strong. Their support helps you push past any barriers that may arise on race day. But this race is great for spectators, too. They get to experience the free cotton candy and popcorn zone, Canadian Zoo, live music, scenic water views and yoga. They can join in on the party, too.
13. Fashion Galore
13 of 15
This is one fashion-forward course. It's like a private lululemon fashion show. As you run, you might see three people wearing the same top but sporting different shorts or pants. The color schemes may be completely different and the way participants wear accessories opens your eyes to new running fashion ideas. Who said your race-day outfit had to be drabby? This is a race where you can show off your inner fashionista.
13.1. The Point-One Reason
14 of 15
From a bib-free race to crazy costumes on course, this race is great for all skill levels. Whether this is your first or 100th race, it's fun to not worry about your race time and enjoy the scenery and atmosphere. Yoga. Run. Party. The SeaWheeze knows how to throw one heck of a half marathon.
Get ACTIVE on the Go
13.one Half Marathon
Get expert advice and guidance as you progress in your journey to becoming an avid runner.
Available for iOS
Discuss This Article