Four Opportunities to break Guinness World Records® at the 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

TORONTO, July 20, 2011 /CNW/ - The  Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) and Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking achievements, today announced a partnership and new opportunities for marathon runners to break four world records at this year's event on October 16^th.  The four opportunities to break a Guinness World Records® title in the 42.2k marathon category at the 2011 STWM are:

1. Fastest marathon run by a mascot
   (Current record held by Toronto's Peter Donato as Jefferson the Dog at the 2010 STWM with a time of 4:16:43.  Jefferson is the mascot for MyNextRace.com)
2. Fastest marathon run as a vegetable
   (Current record held by the UK's Michael Neville as a Carrot with the time of 3:09:21 at the 2010 London Marathon)
3. Fastest marathon run as a television character
   (Current record held by the UK's Simon Byrant as Captain James Kirk, with a time of 3:21:20 at the 2010 London Marathon
4. Fastest marathon run as a parent and child (aggregate time)
   (Current record held by Kevin Amos and his son Shane of the UK from the 2010 London Marathon with a combined time of 6:03:07.  Kevin's finishing time was 2:51:03 and Shane's was 3:12:04)

"The elite runners are used to breaking records, but this year everyone participating in the marathon event will have the chance to make marathon history," said Alan Brookes, STWM Race Director.  "Working with Guinness World Records helps make our 'dream big' theme relevant. While Canadian elite runners are attempting to break a 36-year-old Canadian marathon record and qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games, we can inspire Torontonians to make their own history and compete in an original category and raise funds for many important Canadian charities."

In addition to Peter Donato's 2010 record for fastest mascot time, previous Guinness World Records set at the STWM include: Toronto's Michal 'The Joggler' Kapral with a world record set in 2007 for the fastest marathon time (2:50:12) while running and juggling three objects. For three years, Michal also held the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon pushing a pram (2:49:44) set in the 2004 STWM - pushing his 20-month old daughter Anika. That record was broken in 2007. Guinness World Record participants must be entered in the full marathon (42.2km) at the STWM (www.stwm.ca) event and must also register online at www.guinessworldrecords.com, referencing STWM in their application, before October 1st, 2011.

"Guinness World Records is thrilled to be a part of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon through offering four records for marathon runners to break", said Stuart Claxton, Spokesperson for Guinness World Records. "Record breaking is a fun and effective way to raise awareness for an event or a cause, and a great way to engage a community in participating in an exciting race."

"We're thrilled to work with Guinness World Records and bring event participants a new way to enjoy a signature event in this great city," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Toronto region.  "Runners will now have more opportunities to get involved in the event, whether they are breaking a world record, accomplishing a personal best, or raising funds for a local charity through the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge."

The largest goal of the STWM is the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, a challenge for local charities to win up to $5,000 in additional funding by competing in three categories: the charity raising the most funds per runner, the charity with the most runners participating in the event, and the charity with the most funds raised overall. With 154 mostly-local charities registered in the STWM, the event hopes to raise more than $3 million for the community.

Canada's premiere marathon, expects more than 22,000 runners to participate in the marathon, half-marathon and 5k on October 16^th, 2011.

About Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada's premier marathon, and the country's #1 big-city marathon. In 2010 the STWM was  ranked the sixth fastest marathon in the world and the third fastest women's race in the world. The event holds the record for the fastest men's and women's marathons ever run on Canadian soil with times of 2:07:58 by Kenneth Mungara and 2:22:43 by Sharon Cherop - both of Kenya, and set in 2010. For the fourth consecutive year, the STWM has been awarded a prestigious Silver Label by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) making it one of only five internationally recognized IAAF Label marathons in North America, and putting Toronto on the map in the international athletics community. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will attract more than 22,000 participants from over 40 different countries, and aims to raise more than $3 million for 154 charities in 2011 .

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon includes a 5k, half-marathon (21.1k), and full marathon (42.2k) run. For more information or to register, please visit www.stwm.ca

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, Scotiabank 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 each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About Guinness World Records:

Guinness World Records (GWR) is the global authority on record-breaking achievements. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records™ book has become one of the biggest-selling copyright titles of all time, selling 120 million copies to date in 22 languages and in more than 100 countries. The internationally renowned brand is now also available across a number of platforms - GWR's global television shows are watched by 250 million viewers annually; digital media and online record-processing services attract more than 50 million visitors a year; and the live events team annually entertains and inspires 1.5 million people around the world. GWR receives more than 1,000 applications each week and has a specialized team of multi-language record managers and adjudicators who travel the globe to verify official record attempts. GWR also has a commercial division (Guinness World Records Corporate) that offers accessible record-breaking business solutions to other organizations and brands.