More than 12,000 to lace up & raise money for 49 local charities this Victoria Day Long Weekend

HALIFAX, May 2, 2012 /CNW/ - The ninth annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is on pace to break records on May 20, 2012, with 12,000 athletes gearing up to run through Halifax and Dartmouth's historic downtown streets and along world class waterfronts, while raising money for 49 charities registered through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

"The Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is the largest one-day sport participation event in Atlantic Canada," said Rod McCulloch, Co-Chair of the Scotiabank Blue Nose Race.  "The race has grown every year since it started in 2004, with over 57,000 participants to date. This year there's a strong indication of another record-breaking year, as registration is up and more than 49 charities are registered through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge."

Blue Nose Weekend kicks off on Saturday, May 19, 2012 with the Doctors Nova Scotia Youth Run at 11:00 a.m. All other race events, including the Full Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10k race and 5k race take place on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

"We are so pleased that the community has embraced the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon again this year, with more than 1200 people volunteering to make it all possible," said Gerry Walsh, Co-Chair of the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon.  "Our dedicated volunteers ensure athletes are supported with water stations, cheer stations and six entertainment sites along the race route on race day. This community spirit is what makes the Scotiabank Blue Nose a success, year after year."

There are a number of exciting changes to the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon this year, including:

• New start times: Full Marathon starts at 8:00 a.m.; Half-Marathon starts at 9:00 a.m
• New start line: Races start on Sackville Street, near Queen Street intersection;
• Route: Full marathoners will run to Dartmouth first before returning to Halifax; 5km route includes one loop on top of the Halifax Citadel National Historic site; and
• New race director: Geri Wallace.

"The Scotiabank Charity Challenge program started in 2009 as an exciting way for the community to get involved in the Blue Nose Weekend for a good cause," said Islay McGlynn, Senior Vice-President, Atlantic Region, Scotiabank "Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, runners can make their races more meaningful by registering to run in support of a local organization. At this year's race we hope to raise more than $500,000 for the 49 local charities registered."

This year's featured charities for the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon include:

• Nova Scotia Nature Trust
• Nova Scotia Gambia Association
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Canada

For more information, as well as a full schedule of events, please visit www.bluenosemarathon.com

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.