Vancouver Island Trail Running Series - Victoria - Royal Roads returns on April 11, 2026 in Victoria, BC. Organized by the Vancouver Island Trail Running Series in partnership with local groups including Frontrunners and Coastline Endurance Running, Royal Roads has been a recurring season-opener for the series with race archives stretching back through 2018–2025.

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The one-day event offers three distances to suit different goals: a Long Course of roughly 11 km (starts 10:30 a.m.), a Short Course of about 6 km (starts 11:00 a.m.), and a Kid's Race of ~1 km (starts 10:15 a.m.). Bib pick-up is staggered (long: 9:00–10:00; short: 9:45–10:30; kids: 9:00–10:00) and course maps plus downloadable GPX/TCX files are provided so runners can preview the routes ahead of race day.

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What sets Royal Roads apart is the setting and community focus: fast, flowy singletrack winds through the manicured forest and coastal grounds of Royal Roads University, with finish-line food and sponsor draw prizes to keep the vibe social. The Kid's Race raises funds for the South Vancouver Island Nature Trails Society, and the event runs a cupless policy to reduce waste—bring a reusable cup or buy one at the Frontrunners merch tent.

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Online registration is open now with online entries closing at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026; race-day entries are available at a higher fee. For current entry windows, fee tiers and volunteer opportunities, register at the official site and review the race information before you arrive.

• Start and finish on the grassy field at the main entrance to Royal Roads University (7a University Drive, Colwood/Victoria)
• Terrain is primarily singletrack through coastal forest and manicured campus grounds — described as fast and flowy with some technical sections
• Long course ≈11 km with ~300 m vertical gain; short course ≈6 km with ~100 m vertical gain
• One aid station on the long course at approximately 7.5 km; events are cupless so bring your own bottle or cup
• Course maps and downloadable GPX/TCX files available for preview; parking available nearby (pay parking in effect)

• Fast, flowy singletrack: runnable trail through the scenic Royal Roads University grounds with a mix of rolling terrain and technical sections
• Multiple distance choices: roughly 11K long course (~300 m elevation), 6K short course (~100 m elevation) and a ~1K kids race
• Charity tie-in: Kid's Race proceeds benefit the South Vancouver Island Nature Trails Society
• Cupless, low-waste event: participants must bring a reusable cup (merch tent sells cups on site)
• Post-race food and draws: finishers receive post-race snacks and entry into sponsor prize draws