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June 27, 2010

Kangogo, Harvey coast to victory at Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon

VANCOUVER. June 27th. Defending champion Kip Kangogo of Lethbridge and Calgary veteran Lisa Harvey made it a good morning for Alberta as both earned comfortable victories in the 12th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon, breaking the tape in 63:51 and 1:17:46, respectively. This was race #5 in the 2010 Canada Running Series. Another 963 participated in the accompanying 5K held entirely in the Park and on the world-famous Seawall. Combined, they also raised an impressive $524,000 for 29 charities in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge. The record total 5,471 runners were drawn from 11 countries, 21 American states, and 8 Canadian provinces.

Conditions were great for running — 14 degrees Celcius, a light rain and drizzle, just a slight breeze — as a record half-marathon field of 4,508 took off from UBC at 7am, heading for Stanley Park, in one of the world's most-scenic half marathons. Right away, a group of 7 formed, with Kangogo, his training partner Willy Kimosop, Burlington, Ontario's Josephat Ongeri, Montreal's Bagdad Rachem, Langley, BC's Steve Osadiuk, Victoria's Scott Simpson, and Nixon Kiprotich, a Kenyan currently staying in Victoria. They passed 1 km in 2:56 and 2km in 6:02, and the pack was down to three — Kangogo, Ongeri and Kimosop. The 4th kilometre was run in 2:53, and the 5th in a spritely 2:49 [14:47 at 5km] with Ongeri pushing the pace. That took care of Kimosop, and Ongeri and Kangogo ran shoulder to shoulder, down the steep exit from UBC on Marine Drive. They hit 10k on the flats of Spanish Banks in 29:38 with a picture-perfect Pacific NorthWest vista — a light drizzle, and mist over the ocean and the North Shore Mountains.

Shortly after they passed 11k in 32:35, Kangogo made the decisive move. He pulled away hard and Ongeri dropped like a stone. After that, it was a time-trial. 15k was passed in 44:49, Kangogo against the clock. The only issue in doubt was whether he could better his winning time of 63:35 from last year, or snatch the Course Record of 63:10, to earn a $1,000 bonus. Despite a tough solo run, it slipped away. A 3:15 18th kilometre over the Burrard Bridge into the breeze ended any hopes, and Kangogo coasted down Pacific to enter the park and cross the line in 63:51. "I'm happy with my race today," said the soft spoken native of Kabarnet who has made his home in Lethbridge. "I felt good today. I wish there was someone to push me." Nevertheless, Kangogo's performance added to a fine Spring season that has seen him notch victories at the Times Colonist 10K, the SunRun where he outkicked Eric Gillis, and the Vancouver International Half, establishing him as the #1 guy on Canadian roads this year. He will now turn his focus to the track and compete in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the National Championships in Toronto at the end of July.

Lisa Harvey led the women's race from start to finish, to claim her second victory in the Scotia Vancouver Half, after finishing 2nd for the past three years in a row! [1:17:46]. She also turned the tables on last year's champion, Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Toronto who crossed the line as runner-up this morning in 1:18:19. "I'm really happy with my race, very happy" said Harvey. "It was perfect weather. The right temperature. The other girls were behind me the whole way, so I just kept focussing on how hard I'd trained and kept pushing. I felt sharp after running Freihofer's (5K for Women in Albany, NY), in such a strong field three weeks ago, so I just went a bit hard from the start." Despite her second-place finish, Kortchaguina was also much-pleased to be back racing and returning to form after a Springtime of injury challenges. Toronto's Josiane Aboungono was third in 1:20:47, after Kingston's Emily Tallen" who had had such a good Sun Run last month — failed to finish.

The next Canada Running Series event will be the ACURA Toronto Ten Miler on July 11th, the Official Tune Up race for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Places are still available for both events, with the prices going up on Wednesday [30th] at midnight. Full results and registration at www.canadarunningseries.com.

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June 23, 2010

Western Canada's #1 road racer, Kip Kangogo, set to defend title, as some good East-West battles loom at Sunday's 12th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

29 local charities are also raising funds in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge

VANCOUVER, June 23, 2010 — Lethbridge's star, resident-Kenyan, Kip Kangogo and Toronto's Lioudmila Kortchaguina — both champions in 2009 — are confirmed to toe the start line this Sunday in front of a record field of more than 4,300 for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon. The race will follow one of the world's most scenic routes from UBC Thunderbird Arena, along Marine Drive past Spanish Banks, Kits Beach, over the Burrard Bridge and down into Stanley Park. The event is the 5th in this year's prestigious Canada Running Series.

Another 1,000 participants, many of whom are running for their favourite charity, are expected in the accompanying 5K, which starts and finishes by The Fish House in Stanley Park. Combined, both events are hoping to set a fundraising record of $400,000 this year for 29 local charities participating in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge.

Kip Kangogo is clearly the man to beat on Sunday. The 30 year old native of Kabarnet on the edge of Kenya's Rift Valley first came to Canada 9 years ago, when he received a partial athletics scholarship from tiny Lethbridge College in Alberta. The local Catholic Church, his family and the entire village community, all had to help to raise the rest of the money necessary to get Kip to Canada. In 2001 he won everything in sight while competing for the college, and was soon offered full scholarships, first to Brigham Young and then Texas Christian, where he was an All-American in 2003. After College he returned to Alberta: "I just love Canada," he says. "The people here are nice and it fits my lifestyle." After winning the Scotia Vancouver Half last year in a swift 63:35, Kip "Can-go-go" as he jokes about his name, has burned up the Western Canada roads. So far this year, his record is flawless — 1st at the Times Colonist 10K in Victoria in April in 29:35; 1st in the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon at the beginning of May in 66:33; then 1st the following week at the Sun Run in 29:02. On Sunday, Kangogo will be chasing the clock, gunning for a new Course Record — where he'll have to beat the 63:10 run by fellow-Kanyan Patrick Nthiwa in 2007 — as well as the $1,500 first place earnings.

Doing their best to give Kangogo a run for his money will be a strong selection of the best that Eastern and Western Canada has to offer. Kip's training partner, Willy Kimosop [a student at Lethbridge College], Burlington Ontario's Josephat Ongeri, Toronto's Matt Loiselle, Langley's Steve Osadiuk, Coquitlam's Richard Mosely, Victoria's Scott Simpson and Matt Clout, plus Montreal's Bagdad Rachem are expected to all have a say in the final outcome. Ongeri is last year's Canada Running Series champ, and another Kenyan settled in Canada; Loiselle is the current Canadian Half Marathon champion [for both 2009 & 2010]; Osadiuk was 2nd to Kangogo at the BMO Half, while Simpson and Mosely were 4th and 7th in the SunRun, 31 and 52 seconds behind Can-go-go. Kimosop led his mentor through the first half of last year's Scotia Vancouver Half before fading to 3rd place; he already has two Canada Running Series victories this year, at Harry's 8K in Vancouver in March and in the Sporting Life Toronto 10K on May 2nd — but both occasions when the teacher was absent! When Kangogo showed up, student Willy was 2nd to him in the Times Colonist 10K, then 3rd behind him in the Sun Run. "But with so many good guys, it's anyone's race on Sunday and we really expect Kangogo to be pushed hard," said Race Director Clif Cunningham.

The women's race also promises a gripping East-West challenge, where Canadian Olympian Lisa Harvey of Calgary and Vancouver's Kristina Rody will do battle with Toronto's Lioudmila Kortchaguina, and Josiane Aboungono and Kingston's Emily Tallen. Harvey, who finished 2nd overall in the 2009, 2008 and 2007 editions of the race, will definitely be up against it as a returning-to-form Kortchaguina looks to do well. Lioudmila not only has pride on the line as defending champion, but she is also course record holder from the sparkling 1:10:46 she ran for victory in 2003. Aboungono is another experienced veteran who was third in last year's Scotia Vancouver Half behind Kortchaguina and Harvey. But this year's race could very well go to the younger athletes. Thirty-year old Tallen from Kingston may get the better of the veterans. Emily was 3rd in this year's SunRun in 34:11, just a place in front of Kristina Rody, and this past Sunday she hammered the field to win Emilie's Run 5K in Ottawa in 16:32, showing she still has some speed as she moves up to the longer distances.

There is still time to book your place on the start line for the 12th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K "fun run" and do some last-minute fundraising for one of the 29 participating charities in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge. Details, including the course map showing entertainment centres and the best locations for spectators, are at www.vancouverhalf.com.

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May 31, 2010

Competitors work together for Alzheimer's cause

It may just be in their nature, but over the eight years they've known each other, Nicole Bertrand and Sandy Riley have shared a friendly competition.

"Whether we're cross-country skiing, hiking, or even just going up stairs together, we're both very competitive," explained Nicole Bertrand. "So it made sense to get Sandy to do a half-marathon with me."

Nicole is celebrating her 60th birthday this year by running in the Scotiabank Half-Marathon & 5K Run/Walk on June 27, 2010. Sandy turns 64 just four days before the event.

They're hoping to help Team Alzheimer's reach this year's goal of raising $25,000 for the Alzheimer Society of B.C., which is being recognized as a featured charity among the select group of non-profit organizations chosen to benefit from the event.

Both women lost their mothers to the disease. This half-marathon is the first for Sandy, and is another example of how both women have been tireless in their commitment to the cause. Previously, both climbed and reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa and climbed Aconcagua in Argentina at 6,962 metres as part of fundraising events. Nicole's aunt is now living with the disease.

"We're celebrating our personal milestones by raising awareness and money for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.," explained Nicole. "We're doing this together and as a team because we know first hand what the dementia journey is like for families who are impacted by the disease and we want to help ensure that no one is on the dementia journey alone."

"No matter how tough it may feel doing our first half-marathon, it's nothing like the dementia journey; they don't get to quit so we don't get to quit," said Sandy.

As Sandy tells Nicole about her practice run the night before, Nicole responded with a playful smile, "your practice run needs to be longer and faster."

"You know, we're hikers, not distance runners," insisted Sandy, though any hint of momentary apprehension in Sandy's voice quickly dissipated at the excitement and laughter the two women share at the thought of a new challenge.

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May 7, 2010

Charity News: BCSPCA has a running coach

We've got a running coach! We will be holding running clinics every second week until race day June 27th with our first meeting taking place on Monday May 3rd. This clinic will be a brief introduction and a short training session. Featured information will be on training schedules. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to learn from the best and have any of your questions answered. And the best news of all? It's FREE! Anyone signed up to run on behalf of the BC SPCA can come down and join us! 4:30pm Monday May 3rd here at our Vancouver Branch: 1205 E 7th Avenue.

Corrine Rothwell comes to us with a strong background in running with many years experience and several races under her belt. In 2008 due to her excellent race time she was eligible to be one of the start runners for the Vancouver Sun Run. She also won her age division at the Florida Half Marathon which qualified her to compete at a national level. Corrine is a regular at most of local races, The Vancouver Marathon and Half being one of her favourites.

After doing IronMan Canada in 2008 she took a break, tried something new and started doing fitness competitions. However Corrine still runs a few days a week, and has set the goal to complete both the Boston and New York marathons again this year. She is currently taking her personal training qualification and will be certified by the end of May. All the while looking after her three children aged 6, 8 and 12 and their beloved pug Meesha!

"I enjoy meeting new people and helping them achieve their fitness goals. As an passionate animal lover I am a strong supporter of the BC SPCA and the amazing work they do. I would love to help their running group with their training to complete this years 2010 Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon/5km."

Haven't signed up to run yet? It's not too late, simply visit www.vancouverhalf.com and click register. Don't forget to click the BC SPCA as your charity of choice!

Have you read our blog? It's the trials and tribulations of us newbie runners which you can check out here. Don't miss next week's edition; we'll be sharing with you our fundraising tips and tricks.

Congratulations to Danielle Libonati who won the BC SPCA runner's cap and drink bottle! Keep up to date with our Facebook, Twitter and blog to find out how you can be in to win other great prizes!

If you have any questions or concerns please e-mail me at charitychallenge@spca.bc.ca.

I hope to see you down here next Monday!

Candace Noyes
Development Coordinator, Special Events
BCSPCA
1245 East 7th Avenue
Vancouver BC V5T 1R1
604.647.6401 / 1.800.665.1868

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May 29, 2010

Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond trades skates for sneakers as Honourary Chair of the 2010 Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge

The 'puck drops' in the countdown to the 12th annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K

WEST VANCOUVER, March 29, 2010 — Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond traded his skates for sneakers today in a ceremonial 'puck drop' as he faced off with representatives from 28 local charities to launch the 2010 Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge and mark the countdown to the 12th annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K (SVHM) on June 27, 2010.

As Honourary Chair of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, Raymond participated in a friendly game of road hockey with charity representatives and minor hockey players from the North Shore Winter Club and encouraged the public to 'run for the sake of others' at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to come on board as Honourary Chair of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge and help increase awareness of an event that raises funds for so many local charities," said Mason Raymond. "I think this is a great opportunity for people to run in honour of someone they care about and raise money for one of the many worthy causes represented in the Charity Challenge".

In its 11 year history, the SVHM has raised $1.2 million for local charities, and the 2010 event is aiming to reach a fundraising goal of $400,000 and surpass the $1.5 million mark in cumulative funds raised.

The SVHM has expanded the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge to 28 local charities for the upcoming 2010 event. Increasing the scope of this unique fundraising and awareness opportunity will boost event participation and fundraising dollars to support charities whose programs and services assist hundreds of thousands of people across the province each year. (For a full list of participating charities, see Charity page).

"People have embraced the Charity Challenge because it allows them to fundraise for the charity of their choice," said Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank's Vice-President, Downtown Vancouver and Northern B.C. District. "Scotiabank covers all of the costs associated with the Charity Challenge, including the on line pledging system, so the charities receive 100 per cent of the funds raised on their behalf."

The SVHM will offer the early bird registration fee of $30 to 5K participants and $60 to half-marathoners who commit to fundraising, regardless of when they register for the event. Scotiabank is also sponsoring three team prizes, each worth $5,000. The charities that raise the most money, raise the most money per runner and have the most runners participating (with a minimum of $10 raised per runner) will each win $5,000.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver's premier running events, the SVHM attracts approximately 5000 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and visitors to the city.

"Vancouver is a great city for running," said Clifton Cunningham, Race Director, Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K. "As one of the most picturesque half-marathons in the Pacific Northwest, the run attracts participants from all across Canada, the U.S. and around the world."

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. In 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. To learn more about how Scotiabank supports the communities where its employees live and work please visit www.scotiabank.com.

On-line registration closes at midnight June 21, 2010. To register or to donate to one of the 28 charitable recipients, please visit http://www.vancouverhalf.com.

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February 8, 2010

ASICS becomes presenting sponsor of the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k

VANCOUVER, BC, Canada. February 8th. Canada Running Series, Canada's premier running circuit, has announced a multiyear partnership with Asics, whereby the world's top running brand will become the presenting athletic sponsor of the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K.

"We are excited to have this opportunity to work with a showcase run like the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon," said Yves Simard VP of Sales and Marketing AQP Asics Canadian Distributor. "The event is a fantastic opportunity for our brand to partner with leading retailer Forerunners to service the Vancouver running community."

The multi-year agreement with ASICS will build on the eleven years of growth the event has had, and is expected to attract almost 6,000 runners from across Canada and more than a dozen countries. ASICS and Scotiabank are proud to support the Charity Challenge, with over 25 Charity partners allowing runners to run for the charity of their choice. In 2010 the event is going to build on the $1.3 million it has raised for charities in the community.

"We're delighted to have ASICS join the Scotia Vancouver Half team. As a premiere running brand, their partnership will help Canada Running Series, Scotiabank and Forerunners grow the event to the next level and bring some fresh, exciting initiatives to the Vancouver running scene," said Alan Brookes, President Canada Running Series.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and 5k runs this year Sunday on June 27th, 2010. The Half-Marathon route is one of the most-scenic in the world, as it runs downhill from UBC to a grand finish in Stanley Park. The run features multiple entertainment stations, bands and cheering groups to support the runners along the route. The 5K is staged entirely inside Stanley Park, including picturesque sections along the Seawall. Online registration, fundraising, and run details can be found at www.vancouverhalf.com.

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Decisive victories in men's and women's divisions at today's Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge raises record amount for 15 local charities

VANCOUVER, June 28, 2009 — Kenyan Kip Kangogo cruised to a convincing win in 1:03:35 — more than a minute ahead of the second place finisher in the men's half-marathon division — leading a record field of more than 4,350 runners at the 11th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon (SVHM). Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Thornhill, ON had a similarly easy time of things, taking the women's half-marathon title in 1:16:10, almost two minutes ahead of Calgary's Lisa Harvey. Another 750 individuals participated in the event's 5K fun run/walk. The race attracted runners from eight provinces and 20 countries, including almost 200 American runners. The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge also broke this year's fundraising goal, raising an impressive $312,000 — and counting — for 15 local charities.

The 29-year-old Kangogo ran shoulder to shoulder with fellow Kenyan Willy Kimosop, who surged immediately after the 10K mark (29:22), before dropping off in the later stages to hang on for 4th (1:06:02). Kimosop, 22, who trains with Kangogo in Lethbridge, AB, won the 2009 Vancouver Sun Run and Times Colonist 10K. Kangogo made his decisive move on the rise from Jericho to 4th Avenue, opening up a 100 metre gap to drop both Kimosop and second place finisher Josephat Ongeri (1:04:53). Giitah Macharia of Oakville, ON, who has struggled of late, had to come in under 66 minutes to "prove fitness" to Athletics Canada and claim his place on the national marathon squad going to the world Championships in August. He ran a tactical race to finish third in 1:05:35 and should be on his way to Berlin. Women's half-marathon winner Lioudmila Kortchaguina led the women wire to wire, redeeming herself following poor performances in 2007 and '08 when she struggled with a hip injury.

Half-Marathon Male

1. Kip Kangogo, Kenya                     1:03:35
2. Josephat Ongeri, Burlington, ON        1:04:53					
3. Giitah Macharia, Oakville, ON          1:05:35
4. Willy Kimosop, Kenya                   1:06:02
5. Baghdad Rachem, Montreal, QC           1:06:35

Half-Marathon Female

1. Lioudmila Korthchaguina, Thornhill, ON 1:16:10				
2. Lisa Harvey, Calgary, AB               1:18:05
3. Josiane Aboungono, Toronto, ON         1:20:34
4. Katherine Moore, Vancouver, BC         1:21:12
5. Nathalie Goyer, Bruno, QC              1:22:20

Masters Male (40 +)

1. Terry Gehl, St. Charles QC             1:11:21
2. Keefer Whan, Mount Vernon, WA          1:16:38
3. Dave Stephens, North Vancouver, BC     1:16:52

Masters Female (40 +)

1. Nathalie Goyer, Bruno, QC              1:22:20
2. Janette Purdham, Vancouver, BC         1:25:56		
3. Rebecca Reid, Vancouver, BC            1:26:51

This year's event also saw the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge expand to 15 local charities:

• Adoptive Families Association of B.C.
• Alzheimer Society of B.C.
• The Arthritis Society, B.C. & Yukon Division
• BC Cancer Foundation
• BC Children's Hospital Foundation
• Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
• Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland
• BC SPCA
• CNIB
• The Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
• MS Society of Canada – BC & Yukon Division
• St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
• Tapestry Foundation for Health Care
• YWCA Vancouver

In its 11 year history, the SVHM has raised more than $1.2 million for local community charities. Scotiabank is again sponsoring three team prizes, each worth $5,000, for the charities that raise the most money, raise the most money per runner, and have the most runners participating (with a minimum of $10 raised per runner). The awards will be announced after July 15th, the deadline for all pledges to be handed in.

For complete race results, please visit www.canadarunningseries.com/svhm.

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K:

Launched in 1999, the event, which is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series, features one of the most scenic routes, starting at UBC Thunderbird Arena to Stanley Park, a 5K "fun run/walk" and the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, which offers a unique opportunity for runners and walks to raise funds for local community charities. Growing in popularity year by year, the half-marathon attracts elite runners and participants from across Canada, points in the U.S. and 20 countries.

About Scotiabank:

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2008 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide Web at www.scotiabank.com.

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Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5k Charity Challenge expands to fifteen charities

Eleventh anniversary event aims to surpass $1.2 million mark in funds raised for local charities

VANCOUVER, April 23, 2009 — Representatives and clients from fifteen local charities joined Scotiabank today to unveil a fundraising goal of $300,000 for the 2009 Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge and mark the count down to the Eleventh Anniversary Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (SVHM), which takes place Sunday, June 28, 2009.

In its ten year history, the SVHM has raised $950,000 for local charities and hopes to surpass the $1.2 million mark in cumulative funds raised this year. Due to the overwhelming success of the past ten years, the SVHM has expanded the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge to fifteen charities for the upcoming 2009 event. Increasing the scope of this unique fundraising and awareness opportunity will boost event participation and fundraising dollars to support the following charities whose programs and services assist hundreds of thousands of clients across the province each year:

• Adoptive Families Association of B.C.
• Alzheimer's Society of B.C.
• The Arthritis Society, B.C. & Yukon Division
• BC Cancer Foundation
• BC Children's Hospital Foundation
• Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
• Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland
• BC SPCA
• CNIB
• The Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon
• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
• MS Society of Canada — BC & Yukon Division
• St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
• Tapestry Foundation for Health Care
• YWCA Vancouver

"Event participants have embraced the Charity Challenge because it enables them to fundraise for the charity of their choice. We're pleased to expand the number of participating charities to give participants and the community even more choice," said Rob Wilkins, Scotiabank's Vice-President, Downtown Vancouver and Northern B.C. District. "To help surpass the $1.2 million dollar mark in cumulative funds raised, Scotiabank is pleased to offer reduced entry fees for all runners and walkers who fundraise for one of the fifteen charities."

The Bank will offer the early bird registration fee of $30 to 5k participants and $50 to half-marathoners who commit to fundraising, regardless of when they register for the event. Scotiabank is also sponsoring three team prizes, each worth $5,000. The charities that raise the most money, raise the most money per runner and have the most runners participating (with a minimum of $10 raised per runner) will each win $5,000.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver's premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 4,500 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and visitors to the city. "Vancouver is always a popular runner's destination," said Clifton Cunningham, Race Director, Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k. "As one of the most scenic half-marathons in the Pacific Northwest, the run attracts participants from all across Canada, the U.S. and around the world."

Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. In 2008 the Bank provided more than $43 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. To learn more about how Scotiabank supports the communities where its employees live and work please visit www.scotiabank.com.

On-line registration closes June 22, 2009. To register or to donate to one of the fifteen charitable recipients, please visit www.vancouverhalf.com.

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