Vancouver Sun Run prompts questions over COVID-19 spread

Could Metro Vancouver see a spike in COVID-19 cases after the Vancouver Sun Run attracted massive crowds over the weekend? Some attendees say the safety precautions were enough, but others felt hesitant.

Gabriel Del Cid Castro ran the event with his wife over the weekend, and says he was surprise by the number of people so closely crowded together.

“The crowds were really close together, tons of washrooms everywhere, even though there was a lot of space to go everyone gathered close at the start line, it just felt like COVID was non-existent, a regular day before the pandemic.”

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Dr. Lyne Filiatrault, a retired emergency physician with Protect Our Province BC says with public health measures lifting it’s up to both the organizers and individuals to take the necessary steps to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Am I surprised? No. I think with the poor job we’ve done communicating COVID is still here and we have a contagious variant, this is the perfect storm lining up,” Filiatrault told CityNews.

In a statement to CityNews, Vancouver sun run organizers said, “Staff and volunteers were given the option to wear masks and/or be vaccinated but again we encouraged both. Social distancing, specifically between staff and registrants, was implemented wherever possible and hand washing/sanitization stations were available at multiple locations.”

There were an estimated 23,400 runners participating in the run in-person and through virtual events this weekend, and with more big events on the way, like the BMO Vancouver Marathon, the head of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, Dr. Brian Conway says this is all part of the province’s decision to open things back up.

“Let’s enjoy the new normal and remind ourselves we still live with COVID we should get all the shots you are entitled to, stay home if you are sick, use your masks strategically for crowded indoor events,” Conway told CityNews.

As for Castro, he says he was overjoyed to be back at the run, and adds being fully vaccinated made him feel slightly more at ease in the large crowd.

“Tons of smiles, everybody was energetic, music, people were cheering on, a very positive vibe, just as I mentioned my personal opinion it didn’t quite have the COVID safe protocol.”