Mikky Keetels, a rising marathoner, aims to challenge defending champion Dayna Pidhoresky at the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 3, 2026. This comes just weeks after her personal best of 2:30:42 at the NN Marathon Rotterdam.
Key facts about the marathon:
- The full marathon route spans 42.2 km, starting at Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing near the Vancouver Convention Centre.
- TransLink will enhance services with extra bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus options for participants and spectators.
- Road closures will lead to bus detours on May 2 and May 3.
Keetels has made quite an impact since her first marathon in 2019. She has raised over €100,000 for KiKA, a charity supporting sick children. “What began as a one-time challenge quickly turned into something much bigger,” she shared.
Dayna Pidhoresky is returning to defend her title after setting a course record in 2023. She previously won the Canadian Olympic trials in Toronto with a time of 2:29:03. This year, she has clocked a season’s best of 2:31:24.
Mikky Keetels expressed her approach to the upcoming race: “I’m going into it feeling relaxed and just want to see what the day brings.” Her confidence is evident as she prepares to face off against an accomplished competitor like Pidhoresky.
The BMO Vancouver Marathon draws thousands from across Canada and around the world. With this year’s event approaching, excitement continues to build among participants and fans alike.
The marathon promises not only competition but also community spirit—something that resonates deeply in Vancouver’s vibrant running culture.
