Small steps, mighty strides: Everything to know about BC's largest family fun run

British Columbians, it’s time to lace up those sneakers! RBC Race for the Kids is back for another year on Sunday, June 8 — and the early bird registration deadline is coming up soon.

This unique race is an inclusive, family-friendly event with a post-race festival in both Vancouver and Victoria — and most importantly, it’s also a chance to raise critical funds for BC Children’s Hospital.

As the only hospital in the province dedicated exclusively to kids, BC Children’s provides care to over 100,000 kids each year, including the sickest and most seriously injured. RBC Race for the Kids participants have been supporting this incredible cause since 1986, and have raised over $21 million so far.

When you register for this year’s race, you’re not just guaranteed a memorable day out; you’re making a big difference for kids and families at BC Children’s.

A fun day out for the whole family

BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

No, you don’t need to be an athlete to join in the fun! Participants of all abilities are welcome to register for either the 2 km or 5 km race routes in Vancouver and Victoria, or host their own virtual community run wherever they live.

For the virtual community run, participants are free to take their preferred route at their own pace.

If you sign up for one of the Vancouver and Victoria races, you’ll also get to join a post-race festival filled with entertainment from local music acts, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities like face painting, arts and crafts, and more.

The Victoria race will take place at the Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park at the filter beds, and in Vancouver, the race will be held at Queen Elizabeth Park. There’s limited capacity for both festivals, so don’t wait to secure your spot.

Who you’re helping

Lennox and his family (BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)

Join RBC Race for the Kids, and you’ll find yourself in good company. Many participants have personal experience with BC Children’s, having received care from the hospital in their time of need.

One of those kids is Lennox. At just three years old, Lennox was diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis — a rare, potentially lethal disorder that affects the immune system. The expert care provided at BC Children’s Hospital allowed Lennox to return home and get back to being a kid again, and Lennox’s family remains deeply grateful.

To give back, they’re now proud returning participants of RBC Race for the Kids. “For us, the race is a celebration of Lennox’s journey. It’s a way to honour how far he’s come and to support the hospital that helped save his life,” says Lennox’s mom, Katie.

Now seven years old, Lennox also contributes to the family’s RBC Race for the Kids fundraising efforts — last year, he raised $500 through a lemonade and freezie sale.

Clementine and a friend (BC Children’s Hospital Foundation)

In Victoria, Clementine is also giving back to the hospital that helped her reclaim her childhood.

After experiencing months of debilitating chronic pain with no clear diagnosis, BC Children’s Hospital identified that she was grappling with multiple conditions — including anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome — and quickly got her the care she needed. Now, Clementine is back to living her life and enjoying her favourite hobby: running!

Clementine participated in her first RBC Race for the Kids in 2024, rallying friends and family to join her. This year, she’s gearing up for the race once again and hopes to inspire others to participate: “BC Children’s Hospital changed my life. I want to make sure it keeps helping kids like me,” she says. “RBC Race for the Kids is such a fun way to support an amazing cause.”

How to register

Registering is easy. Simply enter your details and pay your registration fee.

Spots are limited for in-person events in Vancouver and Victoria. Sign up now at raceforthekidsbc.ca to secure yours soon.

From now until April 9, you can take advantage of early bird pricing and register for just $30, or you can pledge to raise $50 and register for only $5.

RBC Race for the Kids Vancouver

When: Sunday, June 8
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (arrive by 8:15 a.m. to get ready to run)
Where: Queen Elizabeth Park. Post-race festival is at Riley Park — 50 E 30th Ave.

RBC Race for the Kids Victoria

When: Sunday, June 8
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m (arrive by 8:40 a.m. to get ready to run)
Where: Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park at the filter beds — 5267 Patricia Bay Hwy

Community Event 

When: Sunday, June 8
Where: Run your own race anywhere in BC. You can design and set up your own race and starting line.