Expect Heavy Traffic on Sunday for the Times Colonist 10K and Khalsa Day Parade

Victoria, B.C. – Traffic will be disrupted this Sunday, April 26 for the Times Colonist (TC) 10K and the Khalsa Day Parade, with temporary CCTV cameras and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) deployed, as people gather to run and to celebrate. 

VicPD, Saanich PD, and Central Saanich PD officers and staff will be working Sunday to help ensure that both the TC 10K and the Khalsa Day Parade are safe and family-friendly events. Part of that work means that, as with previous events, we will be deploying our temporary, monitored CCTV cameras and the RPAS in support of our operations to ensure public safety.  

The deployment of CCTV cameras and the RPAS is an integral part of VicPD’s efforts to support community safety and is in accordance with B.C. and national privacy legislation. Temporary signs for CCTV cameras will be displayed in the event areas to inform the community, and the cameras will be removed once the events have concluded. The RPAS camera does not record by default. If recordings need to take place to gather evidence, or capture an incident, that data will be stored for 30 days or longer. No information will be collected during the event unless a criminal investigation or public disorder incident occurs. 

Significant road closures are planned for both events.  

TC 10K 

This year, the TC 10K will follow the same route as last year. The race will start on Menzies and Kingston streets in James Bay, and head toward Fairfield before racers return along Dallas Road and finish on Belleville Street between Government and Menzies streets, north of the Legislature lawns. The 10K starts on Sunday, April 26 shortly after 8:00 a.m.⁠ 

Initial road closures will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, on Belleville Street from Government to Menzies streets to facilitate race set-up. Additional closures on Menzies Street from Quebec to Belleville streets will start at 3:00 p.m. These closures will remain in effect until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. 

There will be more road closures on Sunday, April 26, on Belleville Street from Oswego to Menzies streets and Menzies Street from Quebec to Superior streets starting at 4:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Some roads in the area will be opened earlier in the day as officers and race organizers work to limit traffic disruptions as much as possible while keeping participants and spectators safe.  

Roads will be closed along the wider race route from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on race day. The road closures map and the race route map are shown below. Parking will also be suspended in some areas along the race route. 

Due to heavy traffic disruptions on race day, please allow extra time for your travels if you're planning to travel to or from downtown, including, BC Transit, the Coho Ferry, BC Ferries (Swartz Bay), Harbour Air, Seair Seaplanes, Kenmore Air, Victoria Clipper, or Victoria International Airport (YYJ).  

Khalsa Day Parade and Festival 

Sunday also sees the return of the Khalsa Day Parade in the Burnside neighbourhood. Officers and parade organizers will be working together to minimize traffic disruptions while keeping performers and spectators safe. The parade will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 26.  

The parade route will proceed from Cecelia Road to Burnside Road, moving down Alpha Street, Douglas Street, Finlayson Street, and Jutland Road before returning to Cecelia Road. The parade will stop for approximately 20 minutes for performances on Finlayson Street between Douglas Street and Burnside Road. The parade will conclude at 2:00 p.m., and the festival will continue at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha on Cecelia Road. 

The route map for the Khalsa Day Parade is shown below. 

For live updates on road closures and public safety messaging, please follow us on X at VicPDCanada and on Facebook at Victoria Police Department.