Runners and Fundraisers set more new records at today's Scotiabank
    Toronto Waterfront Marathon

    TORONTO, Sept. 30 /CNW/ - More than 25,000 pairs of running shoes hit the
pavement on Toronto's Lakeshore this morning in participation of the
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, helping make Toronto's premier running
event the most successful to date.
    Running the fastest marathon ever on Canadian soil, John Kelai of Kenya
won a see-saw battle over fellow Kenyan compatriot Daniel Rono, to cross the
finish line at 2:09:30. Rono, last year's champion and Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon course record holder was a close second, also inside the
previous all-Comers record with a personal best of 2:09:36.
    Ethiopia's Asha Gigi led from start to finish, bringing the Scotiabank
Toronto Waterfront Marathon a new course record time of 2:33:16. Second was
last year's winner and former course record holder Malgorzata Sobanska of
Poland with a time of 2:34:20. Alevtina Biktimirova rounded out a truly
international field coming in third with 2:34:53.
    "Scotiabank is proud to be a part of this great event again this year,"
said Scotiabank President and CEO, Rick Waugh. "The Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon brings the world to our Waterfront and is a wonderful
opportunity for runners, spectators and communities to come together in
celebration of sport and in support of community charities."
    Other highlights of today's competitive event include the Scotiabank
International Team Challenge. Team Great Britain prevailed with a triumph over
last year's Team champions, Mexico. Team Canada finished a strong third lead
by marathon debutant, Jerry Ziak of Vancouver, placing 11th in overall men's
category. Coming in fourth place of the Scotiabank International Team
Challenge was Team America.
    "We're absolutely thrilled with the 2:09:30 from John Kelai and with a
brilliant run by Daniel Rono - their performances put the Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon in an international club of elite marathons," said Alan
Brooks, Race Director. "There are so many exciting components that helped make
this year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon the best ever and topping
this is breaking a 31-year old record of the fastest marathon ever on Canadian
soil."
    A crowd favourite and Toronto's own, Michal "The Joggler" Kapral broke
the Guinness World Record for marathon running while juggling three objects.
Kapral finished with a time of 2:50:13, out-joggling Philadelphia's Zach
Warren's 2006 time.
    Among the athletes were 1,000 students in grades 4 - 8 participating in
the Scotiabank MarathonKIDS program. Scotiabank MarathonKIDS is a two-year-old
initiative which promotes active and healthy lifestyles at a young age.
Running in daily intervals since the start of the school year, students
completed the last five kilometers of a full marathon in this morning's event.
The program provides students with the opportunity to increase their level of
physical activity while focusing on reaching a goal.
    The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge exceeded its $750,000 goal from
last year, contributing proceeds to more than 50 charities. In addition to the
funds raised at this morning's event, Scotiabank will award $5,000 each to the
charity with the most runners participating, the charity with the largest
amount of pledges per runner and the charity that raises the most money in
pledges.

    Listed below are the top finishers in each race:Marathon Male
    -------------
    1. John Kelai            2:09:30     Kenya
    2. Daniel Rono           2:09:35     Kenya
    3. Kasime Adilo          2:10:20     Ethiopia

    Marathon Female
    ---------------
    1. Asha Gigi             2:33:16     Ethiopia
    2. Malgorzata Sobanska   2:34:20     Poland
    3. Alevtina Biktimirova  2:34:53     Russia

    Half-marathon Male
    ------------------
    1. Pius Korir            1:05:09     Toronto
    2. Giitah Macharia       1:05:14     Toronto
    3. Joseph Nsengiyumva    1:05:19     Ottawa

    Half-marathon Female
    --------------------
    1. Pauline Githuka       1:18:09     Hamilton
    2. Sarah Dillabaugh      1:19:20     Gloucester
    3. Paula Wiltse          1:20:02     Kingston

    5km Male
    --------
    1. Matthew Leduc         15:48       Ajax
    2. Jeff Manley           16:29       Petawawa
    3. Nick Croker           16:35       Toronto

    5km Female
    ----------
    1. Annie Bunting         19:01       Toronto
    2. Kirsten Vergara       19:41       Toronto
    3. Maile Mangusson       19:58       No City listedThe Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is a registered AIMS Marathon,
certified by Athletics Canada. For a complete list of race results, please
visit: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com

    Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader 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

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