The 50,000 runners who will partake in the Sun Run this weekend will be blocked from 40 per cent of the Burrard Bridge because two lanes are under construction and closed to runners.
The bridge has been undergoing safety and structural upgrades since March. All construction on the bridge will be stopped on April 27 for the 30th annual Sun Run, but participants will be limited to three lanes instead of the usual five.
Sun Run race director Tim Hopkins is confident participants will have a safe experience despite construction on the Burrard Bridge.
鈥淚deally, we鈥檇 like to see open space on the bridge,鈥� said Hopkins. The city has assured him the bridge is safe for runners.
This is not the first time the bridge has been under construction during the Sun Run, but it is the first time participants will be restricted to three lanes. Lane restrictions could make passing people on the bridge tougher than previous years, said Hopkins.
鈥淚n past years, there has been five lanes so it gave participants more room to pass. But overall I don鈥檛 think it will be a problem because there are other parts of the race that only have two lanes and it鈥檚 normal,鈥� he said.
Runners should be careful regardless of construction since tripping is a real possibility, especially in places where the route narrows.
鈥淭he whole race is crowded, so people should be aware throughout the entire race,鈥� said Lori Paton, the manager at the Running Room鈥檚 Cambie Street location who leads Sun Run training groups on Saturday mornings.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e running with that many people, you never know what someone else is going to do,鈥� she said.
When 50,000 participants travel the same 10 kilometres in one morning, it can be difficult to finish with a good time or a personal best.
Veteran marathon runner David Firman encouraged participants to be more cautious, rather than competitive.
鈥淩un in the Sun Run for inspiration and fun, not for time,鈥� he said. 鈥淪eeing 50,000 people waiting at the starting line, it鈥檚 the kind of sight that brings you to tears.鈥�
Construction on Burrard Bridge is expected to continue until July.
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