4,700 runners raise $525,000 and counting for 31 local charities

MONTREAL, April 29, 2012 /CNW/ - For the third year, the Banque Scotia 21 k de Montréal serves as the Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships and helps kick off the 2012 Canadian Championship Series. The 4,700 runners who took to the scenic route of Parc-Jean Drapeau today raised over $525,000 for 31 local charities.

While the beautiful sunny skies were perfect for today's Banque Scotia 21K and 5K de Montréal, the cool temperatures and brisk northerly winds made for a tactical race. London Olympic Marathon bound Eric Gillis of Guelph surged away from Athletic Toronto's Matt Loiselle over the final 800m to take the 2012 Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships for a time of 64:38. Loiselle was eight seconds back and a valiant Rejean Chiasson of New Brunswick hung on for 3^rd at 64:54. Newfoundland's Kate Bazeley ran a strong solo effort, leading from start to finish taking the women's title in 1:16:34. London Ontario's Leslie Sexton was 2^nd at 1:16:54 and Nova Scotia's Erin Maclean was 3^rd at 1:17:02.

"It was tough out there on my own in the wind," said Bazeley. "But I'm really happy, this is my first major victory." Gillis will take a break for the next two weeks before beginning his training for the London Olympic Marathon which takes place on August 12^th.

"We had some of Canada's elite runners vying for the Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships this year, and today's race was an inspiration for marathon enthusiasts across the board," said Francois Lecot, Race Director, Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k. "All participants today should be extremely proud of their achievements, both through the sport of running and for raising much-needed funds for worthy causes in the community."

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised more than $525,000 as of press time, surpassing its $450,000 target goal. This remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of $395,000.

"Today's race was truly a success as runners and supporters alike demonstrated an outstanding combination of athleticism and community spirit, while raising $525,000 through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge," said Carole Chapdelaine, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region. "Participants in this year's Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal share Scotiabank's commitment to supporting charitable organizations in the community, and it's inspiring to see that more than $1.3 million has been raised through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge since it was introduced to the race four years ago." 

Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal Results / Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships Results:

Half-Marathon Male

1. Eric Gillis (Guelph)  64:38
2. Matt Loiselle (Toronto) 64:46
3. Rejean Chiasson (Toronto) 64:54

Half-Marathon Female

1. Kate Bazeley (St-John's) 1:16:34
2. Leslie Sexton (London) 1:16:54
3. Erin Maclean (Beechville) 1:17:02

5k Results

5K Male

1. Charles Khazoon (Sherbrooke) 15:33
2. Gabriel Legault (Boucherville) 15:53
3. Olivier Babineau (Dieppe) 15:54

5K Female

1. Manon Letourneau (Quebec) 17:11
2. Dominique Roy (Montreal) 18:02
3. Beatrice Ouellet (Riviere-du-Loup) 19:17

For more highlights and complete race results, please visit http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/index.htm

To see a list of charities involved in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, please visit http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/montCHARITY.htm

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, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $45 million annually to community causes around the world over the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

About Canada Running Series/Circuit du Canada

Canada Running Series is the country's most-prestigious running circuit, with 8 major events hosted in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. In 2011, CRS attracted 60,000 participants who raised more than $6.5 million for 238 local charities in the three cities. Information at www.RunCRS.ca