Big Pirate Run

Shannon Sawicki shares why her family keeps returning to this community fun run at Garry Point Park. Plus lots of photos from the 2026 event.

Photo provided by @javelinomedia

In this Q&A, Steveston People creator Tania Reitsma asks Shannon Sawicki about her experience. You’ll also see LOTS of incredible photos that will bring you a smile. Introduction by Tania.

It’s Saturday morning, and you’re ready for a run. You button up your puffy shirt, pull on your trousers, and grab your captain’s hat and sword on the way out. No, that’s not weird. Running outside in pirate costumes is a thing, and it happens every year at Garry Point Park in Steveston, Richmond!

At the end of the summer, I got an email for this blog idea from Jenn Wint, a public relations pro and former resident of Steveston. When she described the Big Pirate Run to me, it reminded me of something funny I saw over a year ago at Stanley Park. While driving through with my family, we noticed a lot of people running and dressed up as elves! It turns out that there’s a whole series of dress-up fun runs call the Big Fun Run Series—pretty cool, right?

According to the Big Pirate Run’s press release, this “inclusive, pirate-themed event welcomes all ages and abilities, with a 1–3km Little Pirate Run/Walk for kids, plus 5km, 10km, 15km and half marathon distances. Routes are stroller, wheelchair and dog friendly, and with no official timing, the focus is on participation, movement and having fun. The event also supports the Richmond Food Bank, adding a local community impact element to the day.”

Although I wasn’t able to take part in the Big Pirate Run this year, Jenn was able to connect me with returning participant Shannon Sawicki for a Q&A—plus access to photos provided by Shannon, @javelinomedia, @mrdavemallari, and @bibpix.ca. This blog’s a fun one—enjoy!

Side note: Dollarama’s plush pirate hat sales were probably pretty good that week.

Part 1: Q&A with Shannon Sawicki

How did you get involved in the Big Pirate Run?

I've done the Pirate Run for five years, and it's something I look forward to every year. I had been doing runs for a while, and I liked that the focus for these events shifted from serious competition and performance to fun and family—something that fits in perfectly with the season of life that I am in.

Doing this event with my husband and son makes it feel extra special as running is kind of 'my' thing. So it’s fun to share that with them in a way that they genuinely enjoy.

Shannon Sawicki and family Big Pirate Run Garry Point Steveston 2026 — Photo provided by Shannon Sawicki.

Why is this event important to you and your community?

Running is an important part of my mental health practice and helps me feel grounded and energized. I think it's important to help our kids find these kinds of outlets to help support their own mental health. Even if they don't like running, getting outside for a walk is a great alternative.

Having events like this in public spaces like Garry Point gets people curious. Passersby see families, kids and runners participating together, and it can change what they think a running event has to look like. It shows that running can be fun, social, accessible—and it is possible to run 5km in an inflatable SpongeBob costume!

Will you be joining the Big Pirate Run again, and how can people get involved?

Yes, I’ll definitely be there next year! Next up though is the The Big Elf Run on Saturday, December 12th in Stanley Park. That's another one where the costumes are out in full force and I will put my best elf foot forward.