A record-breaking $3.7 million raised for charity

TORONTO, Oct. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - The wind and rain did not stop 25,000 runners from taking part in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon today. Thousands of spectators cheered on elite and recreational athletes, who together raised $3.7 million and counting for charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

In windy, wet conditions Sahle Warga of Ethiopia finished first with a time of 2:10:35, while Kenyan runners Kiplimo Kimutai and John Kiprotich followed close with times of 2:11:20 and 2:11:29 respectively. In a surprising finish, New Zealand's Mary Davies passed Kenya's Agnes Kiprop with just two kilometres left in the race. Davies finished first with a time of 2:28:56, followed by Kiprop at 2:29:32 and Ethiopia's Radiya Adilo with a time of 2:30:49.

"Today was a day of surprises at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, with some phenomenal performances from the women - especially Mary Davies and Krista Duchene, who with her fourth-place finish triumphed over strong international competition," said Alan Brookes, Race Director, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. "The men went out very aggressively and paid the price later on. The heavy rain just before the start and windy conditions later in the race created some extra challenges, but that's the marathon."

As of press time, an incredible $3.7 million was raised for the 167 charities registered through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. This remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of more than $3.5 million raised for community, provincial and national charities.

"The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is a great way for Torontonians to come together and support runners from around the world, cheer on their friends and family and raise money for the community," said Jacqueline Ryan, Vice President, Sponsorships & Partnership Programs, Scotiabank. "Scotiabank is proud of the runners, volunteers and spectators who came together to celebrate their community and the athletes, and raise more than $3.7 million for charity."

Chilean runner Francisco Mendez placed first in the half-marathon category at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon with a time of 1:07:48, after winning the Scotiabank Santiago Marathon earlier this year. Mendez won a trip to Toronto and a spot at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, courtesy of Scotiabank.

Race Day Results:

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Male

1. Sahle Warga  (ETH)       2:10:35
2. Kiplimo Kimutai  (KEN)   2:11:20
3. John Kiprotich  (KEN)     2:11:29

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Female

1. Mary Davies  (NZL)      2:28:56
2. Agnes Kiprop  (KEN)    2:29:32
3. Radiya Adilo  (ETH)      2:30:49

Half Marathon:

Half-Marathon Male

1. Francisco Mendez  (CHI)  1:07:48
2. Philipe Viau-Dupris  (CAN)   1:08:38
3. Stanislas Papadimitriou (CAN)  1:10:48

Half-Marathon Female

1. Esther Jeptum (KEN)  1:19:08
2. Lioudmila Kortchaguina  (CAN)  1:19:29
3. Lisa Brooking  (CAN)  1 :21 :07

Canadian Male Full Marathon

1. Matt Loiselle  (Toronto) 2:16:23
2. Lucas McAneney  (Toronto)  2:24:40
3. Francois Marchand  (Boischatel) 2:28:53

Canadian Female Full Marathon

1. Krista Duchene  (Brantford)  2:32:15
2. Marilyn Arsenault  (Victoria)  2:42:44
3. Emily Kroshus  (Calgary)  2:46:40

5K Walk/Run:

5K Male

1. Jamie Switzer (Peterborough) 0:15:48
2. Garrett De Jong (Toronto)  0:15:51
3. Kyle Smith (Scarborough)   0:15:57

5K Female

1. Lisa Cybulskie  (Peterborough) 0:18:20
2. Mikayla Fedele (Mississauga)  0:20:03
3. Faiza Vassanji  (Toronto)  0:20:09

For more highlights and complete race results, please visit: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.

To see a list of charities involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, click here.

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada's premiere, national running event, attracting over 24,000 participants from over 50 countries and aiming to raise over $3 million for 167 local and national charities.

This fast, flat, scenic course holds the record for the fastest men's and women's marathons run in Canada (2:07:58, Kenneth Mungara and 2:22:43, Koren Yal, both 2011) and for the fifth consecutive year, the STWM has been awarded the prestigious Silver Label by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The race vision is to continue to build Toronto to the same league as other world-class city marathon destinations such as New York, Chicago and Boston.

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 $45 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

Image with caption: "Ethiopia's Sahle Warga (centre) finishes first at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (2:10:35) followed by Kenyan runners Kiplimo Kimutai (2:11:20) and John Kiprotich (2:11:29). Photo credit: Todd Duncan. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121014_C6760_PHOTO_EN_19276.jpg

Image with caption: "New Zealand's Mary Davies (left) takes the top spot at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon with a time of 2:28:56. Krista Duchene of Brantford, Ontario, was the first Canadian woman to finish the race with the time of 2:32:15. Photo credit: Todd Duncan. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121014_C6760_PHOTO_EN_19277.jpg

Image with caption: "Toronto's Matt Loiselle was the first Canadian male to finish the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, with a time of 2:16:23. Photo credit: Todd Duncan. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121014_C6760_PHOTO_EN_19275.jpg

Image with caption: "Chile's Francisco Mendez poses with Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, after winning the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half-Marathon with a time of 1:07:48. Mendez was the winner of the Scotiabank Santiago Half Marathon earlier this year, giving him the opportunity to run in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Photo credit: Todd Duncan. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121014_C6760_PHOTO_EN_19274.jpg

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations