Toronto's premier running event sets new records for men's and women's
    course times and raises $1.8 million for 99 neighbourhood charities

TORONTO, Sept. 27 /CNW/ - With over $1.8 million dollars raised, two new course records set and a sold out event, 2009 marks the most successful year in the marathon's 20 year history.

The defending men's champion, Kenneth Mungara of Kenya broke the record he set in last year's race, setting a new record for fastest marathon time ever run on Canadian soil (2:08:31.9). In the women's marathon, Amane Gobena of Ethiopia also set a new course record with a time of 2:28:31, overtaking defending champion and countrywoman Mulu Seboka over the last kilometre.

"We could not have asked for a better anniversary race," said Race Director Alan Brookes. "Today we saw the top three fastest marathons ever run on Canadian soil in the men's race, truly witnessing world class running - with the top two men's finishers coming in at record setting 2:08. The women's race was just as exciting a finish, with a new course record of 2:28 set by Amane Gobena. Today's race has been inspiring for thousands of Torontonians and truly puts our city on par with marathons around the world."

"We are delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this remarkable record-breaking event," said John Doig, Senior Vice-President of Marketing for Scotiabank. "The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon brings the world to our Waterfront and puts Toronto on the global map for excellence in athleticism, philanthropy and community spirit."

Overall Male - Top Finishers

    Mungara, Kenneth, Age 36, Kenya - 2:08:31.9
    Lemi, Chala, Age 22, Ethiopia - 2:08:48.4
    Asfaw, Gashaw Melese, Age 31, Ethiopia - 2:09: 22.8

    Overall Female - Top Finishers

    Gobena, Amane, Age 23, Ethiopia - 2:28:30.4
    Seboka, Mulu, Age 25, Ethiopia - 2:29:37.2
    Kebebush, Haile, Age 25, Ethiopia - 2:30:47.9

    Top Canadian Finishers

    Men's

    Jackson, David, Age 33, Victoria, British Columbia - 2:24:03.3
    Loutitt, Jason, Age 35, Calgary, Alberta - 2:28:12.3
    Gehl, Terry, Age 40, St-Charles, Quebec - 2:32:46.4
    Enfield, Jeff, Age 31, Toronto, Ontario - 2:39:22.9
    Alley, Andrew, Age 27, Toronto, Ontario - 2:42:19.3

    Women's

    Duchene, Krista, Age 32, Brantford, Ontario - 2:50:36.9
    Goyer, Nathalie, Age 41, St-Bruno, Quebec - 2:55:29.8
    Bakker, Grace, Age 27, St.Thomas, Ontario - 2:59:49.5
    Purdy, Tammy, Age 43, Mississauga, Ontario - 3:03:33.0
    Patten, Rebecca, Age 35, Toronto, Ontario - 3:06:07.2

    The full list of results is available at
    www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.


    2009 - A Marathoner of Firsts...

      -  New Canadian record! Fastest new marathon time set on Canadian soil

      -  New Course records! New course records set in both Men's and
         Women's race

      -  New Charity Challenge Record! Fundraising goal and previous record
         shattered: $1.8 million raised (up from $1.4 million in 2008)
         surpassing goal of $1.5 million. Funds raised for 99 community
         charities, up from 63 in 2008!

      -  Marriage proposal! Full Marathoner Ronnie Garcia and his half
         marathoner girlfriend Therese Tongco left the Scotiabank Toronto
         Waterfront Marathon for the first time... engaged!

The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge surpassed its $1.5 million target with a final total of over $1.8 million. This remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of $1.4 million. In addition, Scotiabank will award $5,000 to the three charities with the most runners, the largest amount of pledges per runner and the most money raised in pledges.

Along the marathon course, 12 Neighbourhood Cheering and Entertainment stations encouraged the runners to the finish line, with the St. Lawrence Market winning this year's Scotiabank Neighbourhood Challenge. To honour their exuberance and support, Scotiabank awarded them a charity bonus of $6,000 for having the most people, best costumes, best entertainment - and above all, creating the most noise.

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
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The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon celebrates its 20th Anniversary, making it one of Toronto's oldest running events. For the second consecutive year, the marathon has been given Silver label status by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) making it one of only five internationally recognized marathons in North America, putting Toronto on the map in the international athletic community. And while the race is certainly gaining international profile - it has also gained profile within the city. The marathon attracts participants from over forty countries and aims to raise in excess of $1.5 million for 99 charities. Visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com for further event information.

About Scotiabank
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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 about $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. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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