- Inaugural Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge raises over $250,000 for 19 charities -

CALGARY, May 30 /CNW/ - Ellie Greenwood of Banff, Alberta cruised to a convincing win in the women's marathon division at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon today with a time of 2:52:23, more than 10 minutes ahead of the course record of 3:02:39. In the men's marathon division - leading a record field of close to 1,200 runners was Graeme Wilson of Vancouver who had a similarly easy time of things, taking the men's marathon title in 2:32:14, six minutes and 24 seconds ahead of second place finisher Jason Loutitt from Squamish, British Columbia.

Another 7,500 individuals participated in the half marathon, 10 kilometre, 4x10 kilometre corporate challenge, kids marathon and 5 kilometre walk and run. The race attracted runners from 11 provinces and 16 countries. The inaugural Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge also raised an impressive $250,000 - and counting - for 19 local charities.

Scotiabank Marathon Male
    ------------------------
    1.  Graeme Wilson, Vancouver, BC  2:32:14
    2.  Jason Loutitt, Squamish, BC  2:38:38
    3.  Niall McGrath, Edmonton, AB  2:39:43
    4.  Keenan Viney, Calgary, AB  2:42:51
    5.  Oleg Tabeley, Calgary, AB  2:57:22

    Scotiabank Marathon Female
    --------------------------
    1.  Ellie Greenwood, Banff, A.B.  2:52:23
    2.  Rosemarie Gerspacher, Calgary, AB 2:54:22
    3.  Nancy Baxendale, Shawnigan Lake BC 3:00:38
    4.  Jennifer Eberman, Toronto, ON  3:03:13
    5.  Andrea Glover, Nanton, AB  3:08:24

    Centaur Subaru Half-Marathon Male
    ---------------------------------
    1.  Dave Jackson, Victoria, BC  1:09:40
    2.  Kristopher Swanson , Calgary, AB 1:09:55
    3.  Andrew Carruthers, Calgary, AB  1:10:36
    4.  Ed Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB  1:12:13
    5.  James Parejko, Pullman, WA  1:12:52

    Centaur Subaru Half Marathon Female
    -----------------------------------
    1. Stephanie Hamilton, Vancouver, BC 1:24:36
    2. Lindsay Manning, Calgary, AB  1:26:36
    3.  Tania Vander Meulen, Edmonton, AB 1:26:36
    4. Bridget Krueger, Edmonton, AB  1:29:45
    5. Sarah Hutchings, Calgary, AB  1:31:17

    THE Downtown Sports Clinics 10K  Male
    -------------------------------------
    1.  Kip Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB  30:22
    2.  Derek Nakluski, Kitchener, ON  30:41
    3.  Scott Wilson, Victoria, BC   30:52
    4.  Willy Kimosop, Lethbridge, AB  31:29
    5.  Nyial Majock, Calgary, AB   32:17

    THE Downtown Sports Clinics 10 K Female
    ---------------------------------------
    1.  Chantell Widney, Edmonton, AB  35:40
    2.  Lisa Harvey, Calgary, AB   36:06
    3.  Lisa Matthews, Calgary, AB  36:13
    4.  Shannyn Clancy, Calgary, AB  39:58
    5.  Kari Blessing, Calgary, AB  40:44

This year's event also saw introduction of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge which involved 19 local charities:

-  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 also sponsored three team 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). The awards will be announced after June 16, 2010 - the deadline for all pledges to be handed in.

For complete race results, please visit www.calgarymarathon.com

About the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon

Voted the 2009 Best Road Race in Alberta, The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is a challenging, competitive and fun event with a race designed for everyone at any level. There is a full-marathon, half-marathon, 10k, 4 X 10k corporate challenge, 5k family walk/run and kids' marathon. The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon course is certified by AIMS (Association of International Marathon Society) and by Athletics Alberta and can be used as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. This year, participants in the weekend event are invited to pledge and raise much needed funding for one of 19 local charities as part of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge.

About Scotiabank

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 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of sports, healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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