Getting in gear for this year’s Vancouver Sun Run Virtual Race

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When it comes to needing gear, running is one of the great minimalist sports.

“You really just need some core stuff,” says Steve Mattina, regional manager for Running Room B.C.

And in Vancouver, outfitting oneself for a run is made even simpler by the weather. “Here, we can almost run year-round in shorts or a light pair of tights. It’s really just about getting rid of the rain and wind.”

In preparing for this year’s Vancouver Sun Run Virtual Race, and to continue after, a thin protective jacket is a necessary part of any runner’s outfit.

“The core piece that everyone needs is that outer shell, and it should be a lightweight one that repels wind and rain and the elements,” Mattina says.

One of the more popular shells at the store retails for $99.99. “The water just beads right off.” The jacket is light enough that runners can get three seasons out of it, he says. “It’s also reflective, with 365-degree reflective bands all the way around. So no matter where the light is coming from, it can be seen.”

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For a shirt, he recommends something tight-fitting. “With a base layer like that, your body heats the air in-between (the shirt and the looser-fitting jacket). You’ll start off cold, but your body will heat the air between the layers and that becomes quite warm.”

When it comes to the lower half, Mattina is a proponent of wearing shorts year-round. “If I’m jogging with a training group, I might put on a light pair of tights. A pair of pants will be a lot warmer than tights. You might start off the run and you feel good, but you might get a little bit warm.”

Both shirt and tights should have good wickability so that moisture moves rapidly along the fibre’s surface and passes quickly through the fabric. “If you were wearing the tights up in the mountains, doing some cross-country skiing, you would actually see that your sweat, when it moves to the outside, will freeze and become like frost.”

Of course, no runner — or walker — should be without a good pair of kicks. This is where the Running Room’s qualified staff can help beginner and more advanced runners.

“Everyone’s biomechanics are different,” Mattina says. “We look at how far you’re running, your size and build. We analyze your gait to figure out if you need a supportive shoe or one that’s going to make you as efficient as possible with each foot-strike.”

How often a runner, or walker, should replace a pair of shoes depends on whether the user needs support, how often they run, and other factors.

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“Support is one of those things that does die down in a shoe. But nowadays we do find that because most people are going to that mid- or upper-level, they’re buying a high-mileage shoe that will last not just until the next pair, but that they can use as a secondary trainer, to just kick around in or go to Starbucks.”

The base price-point for a decent pair of running shoes is $120-$130. “That can get you up to a half or even marathon. That’s not just entry-level, but a good-quality running shoe.”

For the tech-minded, there are gadgets that can make running a more connected activity. Mattina says that he sees more runners opting for GPS watches. “They all have mobile connect. A lot of people are working from home, and they find they can get their run in when the rain stops. But sometimes they still need to be in contact or on call.”

To register for the Vancouver Sun Run Virtual Race (April 18-30), visit vancouversunrun.com.