Tag Archive for: Sponsors

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RunSport Victoria Society partners with Run Van Isle to support Vancouver Island Race Series

Media Release

RunSport Victoria Society supports Run Van Isle

Monday, December 29, 2026 – Run Van Isle (fmr; Vancouver Island Runners’ Association) is proud to announce added support provided by sponsor RunSport Victoria Society (“RunSport”).

RunSport owns and operates the TC10K and the Victoria Track Classic. Proceeds from these events are intended to support the local running community.

For the 2026 season, Run Van Isle has received support to help operate the Vancouver Island Race Series.

“Run Van Isle’s Vancouver Island Race Series reflects so many of the values we hold at RunSport, welcoming all abilities, encouraging active goals, and building community through movement. We are pleased to support a series that uplifts local clubs, contributes to important charities, and offers high-quality races across the Island. It is a great way for runners and walkers to stay engaged and work toward their spring goals, including the TC10K,” Keith Bridge, Executive Director of RunSport Victoria Society.

The series collects donations at the online registration kiosk and passes those funds on to the series’ charity of choice, KidSport BC.

“Each of our eight races is operated by run clubs on the Island, which donate to their own select charities, while Run Van Isle directs funds to KidSport BC. KidSport BC disperses those funds to each of the eight communities where we hold our races,” shared Christopher Kelsall, President of Run Van Isle and GM of the series. “Having RunSport support operations helps us make the series profitable for each club, so we can continue to operate the series and keep the island communities active.”

The series is entering its 46th year of operation. The 2026 series begins on Sunday, January 11, at 11:30 AM with the Harriers’ Pioneer 8K. The race takes place at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Details can be found at the series website: www.islandseries.org.

The other seven races take place in Sooke, Colwood, Cobble Hill, Sidney, Lantzville, Port Alberni and Courtenay.

Two weeks after the series finishes its season, the TC10K runs on Sunday, April 26. Registration is now open at www.runsport.ca/tc10k

View all of the sponsors of the Vancouver Island Race Series here.

Contact:
Christopher Kelsall,
President and GM
Run Van Isle/Vancouver Island Race Series
info@islandseries.org
250-857-6643

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MINI Victoria partners with the Vancouver Island Race Series and Run Van Isle

The Vancouver Island Race Series, owned by Run Van Isle (formerly Vancouver Island Runners’ Association), is pleased to announce a new sponsor for the 2026 season. MINI Victoria has agreed to partner with the series for the 16 weeks it runs from January to April, as well as Run Van Isle, which provides support and leadership to the Vancouver Island running community throughout the year.

MINI Victoria, as part of the GAIN Group with its fleet of electric vehicles, seeks to position the brand with the active living community. The Vancouver Island Race Series and Run Van Isle offer the perfect alignment. 

“Big fun comes in all forms. At MINI Victoria, we love anything that moves—especially our community. As part of the GAIN Group, we’re proud to support local athletics and deliver top-notch customer service. Sponsoring the Vancouver Island Race Series is our way of cheering on runners who bring big energy and even bigger smiles to the Island,” shared Evan Souliotis, general sales manager for MINI Victoria. 

“We are pleased to partner with MINI Victoria and the GAIN Group. With the growth in electric vehicles and running on Vancouver Island, the brand matches the athletics community’s lifestyle. Runners, walkers, and stakeholders will see the brand on-site at each race, in the form of the MINI Countryman. Whether a sweep, pace, or operations vehicle, we look forward to showcasing the popular car this season,” said Christopher Kelsall, president and general manager of the series. 

The Vancouver Island Race Series hosts eight races from Sooke to Sidney and from Colwood to Courtenay. Distances range from 5km to the 21.1km half-marathon. All abilities are welcome, from beginners to Olympians and everyone in between. 

The series starts on Sunday, January 11, with the Harriers Pioneer 8K at Saanich Fairgrounds. The 47-year-running race moves back to Central Saanich, its home location for 38 years before moving to North Saanich for several years. 

The new course is mostly flat, fast and compact, which is great for spectating. See the new route map here.

For more information, contact:

Christopher Kelsall
info@islandseries.org or 250-857-6643.

Vancouver Island Race Series adopts KidSport BC as charity of choice

The Vancouver Island Race Series has adopted KidSport BC as its charity of choice as of December 3, 2024. All funds donated will be directed to KidSport BC and then dispersed to each of the island community branches where series races take place.

Series participants can optionally donate when registering for races at the series digital shopping cart located at Race Roster. Visit www.islandseries.org/register/ to register and or donate.

“As a board, we visited our long-standing relationship with the Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF). While we value the VHF and its purpose, we decided that the money raised by our paying participants would better represent our purpose by supporting KidSport BC,” said Christopher Kelsall, president of Run Van Isle, the association that owns the Vancouver Island Race Series. 

“The VHF is a wonderful organization, and we wish them all the best in their continued fundraising endeavours. The VHF supports every area of care at Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, and the Gorge Road Health Centre.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the Vancouver Island Race Series for choosing to support KidSport through their events. The growing demand from families in need highlights the critical importance of programs like ours to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in organized sports, but the increasing volume is putting a strain on our funding resources, especially given that the majority of our community chapters are completely volunteer run,” says Angela Crowther, Director of the KidSport program in BC. “Donations to KidSport through the Race Series will help ensure we can keep pace with the demand and continue providing valuable sport experiences for children in need.”

Families facing financial need are encouraged to apply for support through the KidSport chapter in their community. Local chapters provide season-of-sport registration grants for qualifying families, so that financial barriers do not hold any kids back from the chance to participate in a season of organized sport.

“Active children benefit by improved physical health, physical literacy, mental health and builds a foundation of activity that often stays with them throughout their life,” shared Kelsall. “One benefit result in having healthy adults who may rely on hospital care less often due to being active from an early age.” 
The series offers the opportunity for runners and walkers of all abilities to participate in certified accurate, live-timed and well-organized road races from Sooke to Sidney and from Colwood to Courtenay.

The series begins Sunday, Jan. 13, 2025, with the 45th Harriers Pioneer 8K and ends with the Bazan Bay 5K on Sunday, April 13. The Cobble Hill 10K serves as the BC 10K Championships on Sunday, Jan. 27. Other races include the popular Sooke and McLean Mill 10Ks, Hatley Castle 8K and Bastion 12K with a new course and venue.