TORONTO, Dec. 1 /CNW/ - Today marked $2.3 million reasons to celebrate for some of Toronto's local charities as a record breaking amount was raised during September's 20th Anniversary of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM), announced today at Scotiabank. Prizing of $51,250 was presented to 19 of the 99 charities who participated in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge and Neighbourhood Challenge.

"The 20th Anniversary Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon brought quite a show to the City of Toronto with two brilliant running records broken and the Fastest Marathon on Canadian Soil kept on Toronto's Waterfront," said Race Director Alan Brookes. "Through our partnership with Scotiabank, our supporting sponsors, the City of Toronto and the community, we have been able to build something very special for Toronto - a unique to Canada Charity Challenge and Neighbourhood Challenge, and a marathon that not only benefits our city, but has become part of it."

"I want to congratulate everyone who participated in this year's 20th Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon," said Mayor David Miller. "All runners should be tremendously proud of their accomplishment and particularly those who raised record breaking amounts for charities and service organizations across our city. The dedication of so many Torontonians to support these institutions and their important work is a testament to the kind of city we are building together."

This year's successful STWM saw a record number of runners participate in the marathon, half-marathon and 5k, and Canadian running records broken, as Kenneth Mungara of Kenya set 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.

Recognized for their fundraising and running, members of the media who participated in the STWM Media Challenge raised funds for their charity of choice and bragging rights for their representing media outlet. The winners of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, Neighbourhood Challenge and Media Challenge were announced at a celebratory event today, along with new prizing for runners up.

"Scotiabank is especially proud to be able to support and enrich this great city through the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and the Charity Challenges that come with it," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Marketing. "As we wrap up 20th anniversary celebrations, we can really take pride in how the Marathon benefits important community causes and how far it has come over the past 20 years."

The winners of the 2009 Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge are:

    Most pledges raised:

    1.  The Arthritis Society, Joints in Motion - $239,036.11
    2.  Wellspring Cancer Support Network - $195,790.56
    3.  Giant Steps Toronto/York Region - $117,211.88

    Most participants:

    1.  Epilepsy Toronto, 218 runners
    2.  Homenetmen, A Run to Remember, 211 runners
    3.  Children's Aid Foundation, 179 runners

    Most pleges per participant:

    1.  Mon Sheong Foundation
    2.  Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation
    3.  Abilities Centre

And the top finishers from the Scotiabank Group Media Challenge are: Marathon, Ben Kaplan, National Post, running for the Rose of Sharon (3:12:07)

Half-Marathon: Zoran Boziceric, National Post, running for the Children's Aid Foundation (1:27:04)

5k: Randy Urban, The Score, running for the Canadian Testicular Cancer Association (17:58)

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon celebrated 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. While the race is gaining international profile - it has also gained profile within the city. The marathon attracts participants from more than 40 countries and raised more than $2.3 million for 89 local charities. Visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com for more information.

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.