Saturday-morning recreational run
We run together Saturday mornings at 9:00 rain or shine in Stanley Park, starting and ending at Brockton Oval. The run is free of charge and we welcome visitors. We usually have two groups. One runs faster and for a longer distance than the other. The routes follow trails through the rainforest and along the seawall. Both groups finish in about 40 minutes. We usually meet for brunch afterwards.
No run on Saturday, August 2, 2008. Join us instead for the Pride Run & Walk.
Beginners
Just beginning? Try out the track at Brockton Oval or go as far as Beaver Lake and back.
Meeting place
We meet just outside the rugby clubhouse—not the Brockton Cricket Pavilion.
Look for a group of 10 to 20 (good looking!) men and women milling about the main entrance to Brockton Oval at 9:00. We usually have a few announcements before we split into two groups for the run.
Brockton Oval has a running track, washrooms and change rooms with showers.
Change rooms
Brockton Oval has lockers and showers in the change rooms. The change rooms are locked, but several VFR members have keys if you should need access. Bring your own lock. If you forget, you can usually leave your things in the trunk of a member's car. Public washrooms are accessible without a key.
Two routes
The long route is 7.2 km (4.5 miles). The short route is 6 km (3.75 miles). Both have gradual hills and flats, except for a rather steep, but short, approach to the pedestrian overpass on Lake Trail. The short route has a bonus hill! The surface in the forest is fine gravel. The seawall is paved with black top.
You don't need to know the route ahead of time, but you can click the link to find out what the exact routes are. It's a good idea to buddy up with someone if you're unsure of the routes.
Water fountains
Apart from the water fountain at Brockton Oval, the only other fountain along either route is across from the water park along the seawall towards the end of the run.
Brunch
Brunch is the best part! We meet at 10:30 at a local restaurant. We almost always go to Wild Garlic, 792 Denman Street at Robson, but we confirm that just before the run. We're usually all done by noon.
www.wildgarlicbistro.com
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Directions to Brockton Oval
Brockton Oval lies in the eastern part of Stanley Park, between the aquarium and the totem poles.
Map directions to Brockton Oval
Get a visual representation of Brockton Oval on a Google map.
Driving
Make your way towards the aquarium in the park on Stanley Park Drive. Turn left on Aniston Way. The road forks in the aquarium's parking lot. Take the right fork, which is Aquarium Way, even though there's no sign as such. Continue past the trees till you see Brockton Oval on your right. Pay at the kiosk to park.
Taking the #19 bus
Get off at the loop in Stanley Park and walk towards the aquarium. Go past the aquarium and cross the parking lot. Take Mallard Trail to Brockton Oval. You can map out the route from the bus loop to Brockton Oval on a Stanley Park map.
For a #19 trip plan, go to www.translink.bc.ca.
Taking the Skytrain
Get off at Granville Station and take any of the westbound North Shore buses that provide local service along Georgia. Get off at Georgia and Denman and walk the rest of the way.
For a Skytrain trip plan, go to www.translink.bc.ca.
Walking from Georgia and Denman
Walk north to the seawall and turn left. Follow the seawall past the information booth and turn left up Aniston Way, the road towards the aquarium. Take the Brockton Oval Trail on the right. (Ignore the trail marked, "Brockton Oval 0.5 km". Take the next trail instead, the one marked, "Brockton Oval 0.3 km".)
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