• Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge raises over $600,000 for 40 charities 
• Over 6,200 participants
• Kip Kangogo has third straight win

VANCOUVER, June 26, 2011 /CNW/ - It was a perfect morning for running - 12 degrees, and no wind, and Kip Kangogo made the most of it. In front of cheering crowds, two-time defending champion, Kangogo of Lethbridge, Alberta, took his third win in a row in the men's half marathon overall division at the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K today with a time of 1:03:22.

Kangogo finished just over 20 seconds ahead of second place finisher, Matt Loiselle, of Toronto, Ontario. Loiselle did most of the early work, pushing the pace for his competitors, and he ran a smart race to finish with a personal best time of 1:03:47. Rob Watson of Guelph, Ontario finished in third with a time of 1:04:20. Top BC finisher, Dylan Wykes of Vancouver, took fourth place at 1:04:35. All four of these men will begin their 15 week training programs leading up to the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in the coming weeks. All four will be chasing Olympic qualifying times and London 2012 dreams on October 16 in Toronto.

Washington State's Ruth Perkins, who herself is beginning to prepare for the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials in Houston in January, ran a strong race for the victory today in the women's half marathon division with a time of 1:16:14. Just ten seconds later, Kate Vaughan of St. John's, Newfoundland crossed the line with a second place finish of 1:16:24. The top BC female finisher, Natasha Wodak of Port Moody, finished third overall with a time of 1:17:14. Vaughan is heading on to compete in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October and Wodak plans to run in the Banque Scotia 21k in 2012.

Vancouver Canuck forward and Honourary Chair of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, Mason Raymond, announced an impressive fundraising total of over $600,000 in support of 40 local charities. Fundraising will remain open until July 10, 2011. Over 6,200 runners participated in the half marathon, and 5 kilometer races, up from 5,400 in 2010, setting a new participant record for the event.

The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge expanded to 40 charities for 2011:

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 11, 2011.

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

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K:
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series.  As one of Vancouver's premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 6000 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and visitors to the city. 

About Scotiabank: 
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future.' Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Image with caption: "VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 26, 2011: Winner of the men's half marathon division of the Scotiabank Vancouver 1/2 Marathon & 5K, Kip Kangogo, crosses the finish line with Rob Wilkins (R), Scotiabank Vice-President for Downtown Vancouver and Northern BC, and David Poole, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President BC & Yukon Region. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110626_C9249_PHOTO_EN_01.jpg

Image with caption: "VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 26, 2011: Winner of the women's half marathon division of the Scotiabank Vancouver 1/2 Marathon & 5K, Ruth Perkins, crosses the finish line with Rob Wilkins (L), Scotiabank Vice-President for Downtown Vancouver and Northern BC and Jeffrey Buttner, Canada Running Series. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110626_C9249_PHOTO_EN_02.jpg

Image with caption: "VANCOUVER, BC - JUNE 26, 2011: Vancouver Canuck forward and Honourary Chair of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, Mason Raymond (L) meets Chris Ducharme, President of the British Columbia Bereavement Helpline, and top Scotiabank fundraiser. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110626_C9249_PHOTO_EN_03.jpg