Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge raises over $524,000 for 29 charities

VANCOUVER, June 27 /CNW/ - Kip Kangogo of Lethbridge, Alberta cruised to a convincing win in the men's half marathon division at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K today with a time of 1:03:51. Kangogo finished about two minutes ahead of second place Josephat Ongeri of Milton, Ontario who also ran an outstanding race with a time of 1:05:37. In the women's half marathon division, veteran Lisa Harvey of Calgary, Alberta ran hard, taking the women's title in 1:17:46, just 33 seconds ahead of second place finisher Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Thornhill, Ontario.

Vancouver Canuck forward Mason Raymond and Honorary Chair of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge announced an impressive $524,000 was raised for 29 local charities. Fundraising will remain open until July 11, 2010. Over 5,400 runners participated in the half marathon, and 5 kilometre races setting a new participant record for the event.

Scotiabank Half Marathon Male
    -----------------------------
    1.  Kip Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB               1:03:51
    2.  Josephat Ongeri, Milton, ON               1:05:37
    3.  Willy Kimosop, Lethbridge, AB             1:07:29
    4.  Steve Osadiuk, Langley, BC                1:07:45
    5.  Tristan Simpson, Vancouver, BC            1:08:28

    Scotiabank Half Marathon Female
    -------------------------------
    1.  Lisa Harvey, Calgary, A.B.                1:17:46
    2.  Lioudmila Kortchaguina, Thornhill, ON     1:18:19
    3.  Josiane Aboungono, North York, ON         1:20:46
    4.  Suzanne Evans, New Westminster, BC        1:20:53
    5.  Gillian Moody, Vancouver, BC              1:20:59

The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge expanded to 29 charities for 2010:

Adoptive Families Association of BC        Engineers Without Borders
    Alzheimer Society of B.C.                  Fragile X Foundation
    Amnesty International                      Heart and Stoke Foundation
    The Arthritis Society, B.C. & Yukon        The Leukemia & Lymphoma
    Arts Umbrella                               Society of Canada
    Asthma Society of Canada                   MS Society of Canada
    Giovanni Bastone Foundation                 - BC & Yukon Division
    Gymnastics Canada                          MusicFest Vancouver
    BC Cancer Foundation                       St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
    BC Children's Hospital                     Tapestry Foundation
    BC SPCA                                    Vancouver Aquarium
    Children's Heart Network                   YWCA Vancouver
    Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver          Special Olympics BC
    Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
    Canadian Liver Foundation
    CNIB
    Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada
    Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation

Scotiabank is also sponsoring three team prizes, each worth $5,000. 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) will each win $5,000 (one $5,000 prize per charity). The awards will be announced July 21, 2010.

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

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K:

Launched in 1999, the event features one of the most scenic half marathon routes, starting at UBC Thunderbird Arena to Stanley Park, a 5K "fun run" and the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, which offers a unique opportunity for runners and walkers to raise funds for 29 local community charities. Growing in popularity year by year, event swelled to more than 5,000 runners, attracting elite runners and participants from across Canada, as well as points in the U.S. and internationally.

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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