Over 60 local charities to join Mayor and Members of Council in
    'warm-up' and 'opening lap' in Nathan Phillips SquareTORONTO, May 25 /CNW/ - On your marks, get training, start pledging ...
go! On Wednesday, May 27th, Mayor David Miller and Members of Council, along
with representatives from over 60 local charities will officially kick-off the
four-month training mark for the 20th annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront
Marathon (STWM). The ceremonial warm-up and opening lap will take place in
Nathan Phillips Square at 12pm. Mayor Miller, who will be running the Half
Marathon, is the city's first mayor to run in the event.
    The STWM (42km, 21km, 5km) takes place on September 27, 2009 and is one
of only five officially recognized IAAF Label marathons across North America.
In 2009, the internationally recognized sports event will mark its 20th
Anniversary as one of the city's oldest running events and will attract more
than 18,000 runners from over 40 countries. This year features an improved
running route, which takes runners through the Beaches, Leslievile and St.
Lawrence Market neighbourhoods, instead of the Leslie Street 'Spit'.
    Hoping to celebrate its biggest year yet, the event aims to raise $1.5
million for over 60 small charities across the city. The featured charities
for 2009 are Aspergers Society of Ontario, Children's Aid Foundation, Humewood
House, and the national charity partner is the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of
Canada 'Team in Training'.What:     - 20th Anniversary Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
                official training kick-off (Four months is the recommended
                minimum time to start training for a full or half marathon)
              - Ceremonial warm-up and opening lap around Nathan Phillips
                Square with Mayor Miller, Members of Council and
                representatives from the Marathon's official charities
              - On-stage entertainment, refreshments and food

    When:     - Wednesday 27th May, 2009 - 12:00pm-1:00pm

    Where:    - Nathan Phillips Square, Main Stage

    Who:      - The Honorable Mayor David Miller and Members of Council
              - Robin Hibberd, Executive Vice President, Scotiabank
              - Alan Brookes, Race Director
              - STWM's official charities and neighbourhood groups

    For more information and registration, please visit
    www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com