CALGARY, May 26 /CNW/ - The 46th annual Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, half-marathon, 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre races will take place in Calgary this Sunday, May 30, 2010. Close to 9,000 competitors are expected to take part in this event and many of them will be fundraising for 19 charities in the newly instituted Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge.

Photo Opportunity:

    -   At 7 a.m. up to 1,200 participants will line up for the marathon and
        half-marathon official start.
    -   Winners are expected to cross the finish line shortly after 8 a.m.
        for the half-marathon and close to 9:30 a.m. for the full marathon.
    -   The 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. and the winner is expected to cross the
        finish line close to 8 a.m.

    Elite runners:

    -   Jason Loutitt: native of Trail B.C, and looking for a win in the
        marathon. Placed second overall at Vancouver Marathon a few weeks ago
        and is a past winner of the Calgary Marathon.

    -   Nancy Baxendale: at 48 years of age, the Victoria B.C. native is
        looking to win the marathon with a time under the three hours.

    -   Kip Kangogo: the quick Kenyan native who now lives in Lethbridge,
        Alberta is looking for a win in the 10K to continue with his great
        season so far. Kangogo is the winner of the 2010 Vancouver Sun Run
        and past winner of the Calgary Half-Marathon (2008) and 10km (2009)
        events.

    -   Lisa Harvey: native Calgarian and 1992 Olympian in the 10,000 metres
        is still one of Canada's top female distance runners at 40 years of
        age. Harvey will run in the 10K and is expecting a top three finish.
        Harvey is a multiple winner of the Calgary Marathon races (10km &
        Half Marathon).

    Other Events:

    -   12:00 p.m. - Suzie McNeil will perform a number of tracks including
        her hit single "Believe" on the main stage

This year's Scotiabank Calgary Marathon aims to top 9,000 participants and exceed $130,000 in charitable donations. In order to reach this goal, the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge will inspire and reward participants for their fundraising efforts. In doing so, the Challenge hopes to increase fundraising dollars for local charities that are involved with the event. This inaugural Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge includes the following charities whose programs and services assist in adding value to communities across the province:

-   Alberta Cancer Foundation
    -   Alliance to End Violence
    -   Animal Rescue Foundation
    -   At My Best(TM)
    -   Big Brothers and Big Sisters
    -   Calgary Meals on Wheels
    -   Canadian Liver Foundation
    -   Canadian Down Syndrome Society
    -   Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief
    -   CAUSE Canada
    -   Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada
    -   Habitat for Humanity Calgary
    -   Inn from the Cold
    -   Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
    -   Meow Foundation
    -   Sonshine Community Services
    -   Alberta Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society
    -   Team Diabetes Canada
    -   The Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute (VRRI)

Scotiabank is also sponsoring three prizes, each worth $2,500 for the charities that raise the most money, raise the most money per runner and have the most runners participating (with a minimum of $10 raised per runner). Charities are only eligible to win one of the three prizes.

Media Access Information:

-   The Start and Finish area for all Scotiabank Calgary Marathon events
        are located in Bridgeland at Murdoch Park - Centre Avenue &
        9th Street N.E.
    -   A VIP and Media Tent will be set up near the Finish Line on Centre
        Avenue and 8A Street N.E.
    -   Parking will be available for media on the South side of 9th Avenue
        N.E. on the corner of Centre Ave.
    -   Please visit www.calgarymarathon.com for important road closure
        information and allow ample time to arrive on site.