More than 50 charities, 1,000 kids and 12,000 runners to participate in
    the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

    TORONTO, Sept. 28 /CNW/ - The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
began officially today at the Runner's Expo, as elite athletes from around the
world met with participants of the Scotiabank MarathonKIDS program to receive
their running bibs and celebrate Toronto's longest street party. The Toronto
lakeshore, from the Beaches to High Park will draw crowds in the thousands to
cheer on the world's best runners and local athletes who are going the
distance to support their favourite charities.
    "This is a great race for a great city because it brings so much back
into our communities," said Scotiabank President and CEO Rick Waugh. "In
Scotiabank's 10th year as title sponsor of the event we are especially proud
to see growth in both the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge and the
Scotiabank MarathonKIDS program - both community driven initiatives that
support and enrich our communities."
    More than 50 official charities have registered for the Scotiabank Group
Charity Challenge, which raises funds through pledges collected by marathon,
half-marathon and 5k participants. Prizes of $5000 will be awarded to the
leading charities in each of the three categories - the charity with the most
runners; with the largest amount of pledges raised; and with the most pledges
per runner. Since its inception in 2003, the Scotiabank Group Charity
Challenge has raised more than $1.9 million for charity.
    Three Scotiabank MarathonKIDS were on hand at the launch to present
running bibs to elite athletes competing Sunday on Canada's fastest marathon
course. The Scotiabank MarathonKIDS program promotes a healthy and active
lifestyle from a young age while providing kids with the opportunity to
increase physical activity and to work towards reaching a goal. The three
students on hand today represented the more than 1,000 students in grades
4-to-8 who have been running in daily intervals since the start of the school
year and will be completing the last five kilometers of a full marathon this
weekend.
    This year, more than 12,000 runners from 35 countries and 40 U.S. states
are participating in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon weekend, a
significant increase from last year. Daniel Rono of Kenya will attempt to beat
last year's time and course record of 2:10:15 by 20 seconds while Malgorzata
Sobanska of Poland returns to beat her 2006 winning time and women's course
record of 2:34:32. Scotiabank is offering a $20,000 cash bonus for both the
man and woman who can set new records for Fastest Marathon on Canadian Soil.
    "We have our best-ever elite fields this year at the Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon," said Race Director, Alan Brookes. "There are going to be
several thrilling races to watch: will Daniel and the other competitors get
under 2:09:55 and eclipse the 31-year-old All-comers record? Will the women go
under 2:26:01 and run the fastest women's marathon ever in Canada? Will an
assortment of marathoners drawn from as far away as New Zealand and Peru get
their sub 2:15 Beijing qualifiers? Can Team Canada dethrone Team Mexico? It's
going to be an exciting morning!"
    The Oasis Neighbourhood Challenge is another fundraising initiative that
gives back to the communities through which the Marathon runs. Each
neighbourhood competes to win a cash prize for their local organization or
charity by presenting the "Best Entertainment and Cheering Section".
Spectators are also invited to cheer on their local Neighbourhood Champion - a
marathoner from one of ten neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhood Challenge draws
crowds in the thousands while raising funds for neighbourhood organizations
and charities, and is a vital part of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront
Marathon's year-round impact on the city.

    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 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 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. Scotiabank is
on the World Wide Web at www.scotiabank.com.