It was first held in 1980 and was started by Robin Pearson, Alex Marshall and Bruce "Gunner" Shaw.

The event also features a half marathon, 8K and 1.2K kids run and attracts nearly 10,000 competitors annually in all races.

Canada's Cindy Rhodes is the most successful athlete historically at the race, having won six times between 1991 and 2000.

Kelvin Broad is a five-time winner, having taken consecutive wins from 1994 to 1998.

Thomas Howard, Phil Nicholls, Steve Osaduik and Suzanne Evans have each won the Victoria Marathon on three separate occasions.