When I see a person in the dead of winter with a fierce goggle tan I know they are a committed mountain maniac. So how then, do you identify a truly raving runner? It’s easy, just look at their chiseled arm as there will be a three inch wide stripe of pasty pale where their iPod sports band is typically velcroed. That’s right, a runner is nothing without their pump-up tunes physically strapped to their bodies. So in honour of my newly developed tan lines here are my top 5 Vancouver-based music picks, from our studios to yours.

5. Bif Naked. She is Vancouver’s version of Gwen Stefani with a little Kat Von D thrown in. Check out her most mainstream hit to date…"Tango Shoes".

4. Selected as the main stage talent for the race after party Theory of a Deadman is perfect for your next angst ridden run. Try "Make Up Your Mind" and you will see why
people are calling them the next Nickleback.

3. Matthew Good is simply that. "Listen to Apparitions" and "The Boy Come Home".

2. Anything Daniel Wesley. The songs are perfect for long slow distance and a patio pint après jog. Look for "One Man Mission" and "What’s Your Name?"

1. Black Mountain. With songs like "No Hits" and "Evil Ways" you will be running for days. Step 1 download entire collection of albums. Step 2 RUN! Step 3 buy tickets to their next show.

Bonus Tune: You had to know I was going to include B.C. boy David Foster. For your cool down and stretch play Love theme from “St. Elmo’s Fire”, have a good cry and phone your ex to see if he’s up for a jog next week…for old times sake.