🏔️ Banff Half-Marathon Adventure: Cousins, Running, Hiking & Moose Tacos

🎥 Filmed: June 16, 2023 | Banff, Alberta, Canada

Hey fam! 👟🌲🌮

This wasn’t just any trip — this was a milestone. My cousin and I decided to do something wild (for us at least!) — we traveled to Banff, Alberta to run our first half-marathon together! 🏃‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️

But it didn’t stop there — we hiked iconic mountain trails, explored glacial lakes, and feasted on some of the most memorable local dishes (yes… moose tacos were involved 👀). From finish lines to foodie finds, this was one for the books.

🚗 Touchdown in Calgary → Roadtrip to Banff

We landed in Calgary, rented a car, and started the most scenic drive into Banff National Park. The mountains grew bigger, the skies got clearer, and our energy was high (and slightly nervous) as race day approached.

⏱️ 0:38 – Landing in Calgary⏱️ 2:31 – Road to Banff + first mountain views

🏃‍♀️ Our First Half-Marathon: Banff Edition

Race day arrived and we were ready. The Banff Half-Marathon takes you through some of the most jaw-dropping scenery imaginable. Picture this: winding paths beside rivers, snow-capped peaks in every direction, and the sound of birds instead of city horns.

We ran together, encouraged each other, and crossed that finish line with pride. Our first 21.1 km.

⏱️ 11:40 – Half-marathon: Start line excitement, on-the-run updates, and that epic finish

🥾 Post-Race Recharge: Lake Louise Hike

After celebrating (and stretching), we took a chill day to explore. We made our way to Lake Louise, and even after seeing a thousand pictures of it online, nothing compares to standing in front of that turquoise water in person.

We hiked nearby trails, soaked in the alpine air, and let our legs recover the natural way. 🏞️

⏱️ 16:20 – Lake Louise + trail footage

🍽️ Local Eats: Moose Tacos & Mountain Comfort Food

Let’s talk food. Banff is small, but the flavors are mighty. After days of running and hiking, we didn’t hold back:

• 🌮 Moose tacos — a local specialty that was juicy, bold, and surprisingly tender

• 🥞 Dutch pancakes — fluffy, sweet, and exactly what we needed after a long hike

• 🍝 Italian and French cuisine — hearty, flavorful, and perfect for our post-race dinner

• 🇨🇦 Canadian comfort food — poutine, local meats, and seasonal ingredients galore

Every meal felt like a little reward — and trying new things like moose meat made the trip that much more memorable.

🎥 Vlog Breakdown

Watch the full vlog for all the moments you don’t want to miss:

• 0:00 – Welcome & intro

• 0:38 – Landing in Calgary

• 2:31 – Arriving in Banff

• 5:30 – Banff town + views

• 11:40 – Half-marathon day

• 16:20 – Hiking at Lake Louise

• 18:46 – Outro & reflections

  
  

👉 Watch the vlog here on YouTube💬 Like, comment, and subscribe for more travel, food, and fitness content!

💛 Final Thoughts

This trip was everything we hoped for — challenging, beautiful, and deeply memorable. Sharing it with my cousin made it even more meaningful. We trained, traveled, and tested ourselves — and came back with stories (and sore legs) we’ll never forget.

So if you’re thinking of saying yes to that first race, a new food, or a trip with someone you love — this is your sign. Do it.

📌 Would you try moose tacos? Or run a race in the Rockies? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time — stay curious, stay hungry, and always celebrate the journey. 🥾✨