Mikky Keetels, a rising marathoner and influencer, aims to challenge Dayna Pidhoresky at the 2026 BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 3, 2026. The event will take place in Vancouver, BC, starting at Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing near the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The marathon is one of Canada’s premier road races. Thousands of runners are expected from across the region and around the world. Keetels is coming off an impressive eighth-place finish at the NN Marathon Rotterdam, where she recorded a time of 2:30:42.
Pidhoresky, the defending champion, holds a course record of 2:29:03 set during the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. She also has a season’s best of 2:31:24 from the 2026 McKirdy Micro Marathon.
Keetels has made headlines not just for her running but also for her charity work. She has raised over €100,000 for KiKA since her first marathon in 2019. This blend of athleticism and philanthropy positions her as a prominent figure in the running community.
Key details about the marathon:
- The full marathon distance is 42.2 kilometers.
- The event includes a full marathon, half marathon, 8 km race, and kids run.
- Bus detours will be in effect on May 2 and May 3 due to road closures.
- TransLink will enhance public transport services with extra bus, SkyTrain, and SeaBus options.
Mikky Keetels expressed her mindset ahead of the race: “I’m going into it feeling relaxed and just want to see what the day brings.” Her enthusiasm reflects her journey from an aspiring athlete to a competitive force.
The competition between Keetels and Pidhoresky is generating excitement among fans. However, uncertainties remain regarding other potential challengers and weather conditions on race day.