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Vancouver’s Best Sporting Events

By Vancouver Magazine /

Hockey | Vancouver Canucks
The NHL season runs from October to April, and the Canucks draw capacity crowds. Home games at Rogers Arena are a must-see if you are in town during the season. 800 Griffiths Way, Yaletown, 604-899-4600. Nhl.com

Vancouver Giants
The Giants are our less expensive and often more aggressive alternative to the Canucks. The 2007 Western Hockey League champions’ season runs from mid September to mid March, with home games at the Pacific Coliseum. 100 N. Renfrew St., East Vancouver, 604-444-2687. Vancouvergiants.com

Soccer | Vancouver Whitecaps
The revived team did us proud in its first MLS season, with dedicated play and packed stadiums. Are we finally getting back to our 1970s soccer-powerhouse roots? Games move to revamped BC Place Stadium starting September 30. 777 Pacific Blvd., Yaletown, 604-669-9283. Whitecapsfc.com

Baseball | Vancouver Canadians
From June to September, catch home games at Nat Bailey Stadium—the perfect spot to enjoy baseball, beer, and a bask in the sun. 4601 Ontario St., 604-872-5232. Canadiansbaseball.com

Football | BC Lions
Catch our five-time Grey Cup champs throughout the CFL football season (June to November). The 99th Grey Cup is taking place here November 27. BC Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Blvd., Yaletown, 604-589-7627. Bclions.com

Horse Racing | Hastings Racecourse
Since 1889, the sport of kings has thrilled locals. Six hundred thousand wager over $150 million a year in live and simulcast races. 188 N. Renfrew St., East Vancouver, 604-254-1631. Hastingspark.com

Run | BMO Vancouver Marathon
It’s a grind, with some serious vertical gain (the Burrard Bridge is 30 metres up each way and feels twice that when you’re on the outward stretch and the frontrunners are already doubling back). Four decades in, the BMO compensates with beautiful vistas and enthusiastic crowds that make the 42.2 kilometres flash by. (That’s the theory.) May 6, 2012. 604-872-2928. Bmovanmarathon.ca

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon
A beauty, the “Vancouver Half” lopes from UBC along the West Side waterfront into Stanley Park. June 24, 2012. Vancouverhalf.com

Terry Fox Run
In 1981 the first Terry Fox Run raised $3.5 million; to date more than $400 million has benefited cancer research. Various routes, 604-464-2666. Terryfoxrun.org

Run for the Cure
More than 170,000 Canadians come together for the cure at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run
for the Cure. October 2. Starts at Concord Pacific Place. 604-683-2873. Runforthecure.com

Vancouver Sun Run
Over 50,000 runners converge from around the world for the Sun Run, an annual 10K run in April that tours large parts of downtown. Starts at BC Place. Sunrun.com

Swim | Polar Bear Swim
Not just anyone would jump into the Pacific Ocean on New Year’s Day (air temperature: 10ºC; water temperature, 0ºC)—but 2,246 managed it in 2011. Various beaches. Vancouver.ca/parks/events/polarbear

Need a break from spectating? Check out our guide to the Best Outdoor Activities in Vancouver.