More than $4.3 million raised for 181 charities

TORONTO, Dec. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - The 2012 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon raised a record-breaking $4.3 million in support of 181 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Prizing of $52,000 was presented to 26 of the 181 charities who participated in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge last night at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Awards ceremony in Toronto.

"Through the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, we have been able to build something special for Toronto - a unique Charity Challenge that has become a big part of our community," said Race Director Alan Brookes.  "Congratulations to all of our fundraisers, who did such a fantastic job of supporting our charities this year."

Ten years ago in 2002, when the Scotiabank Charity Challenge was introduced as the fundraising component of this running event, fifteen charities raised $97,000. This year, 181 charities raised $4,379,092.67, surpassing last year's total of more than $3,700,000. A grand total of more than 17 million dollars has been raised for charities to date.

"What's so special about this marathon is that it brings the world to our waterfront, and provides a wonderful opportunity for runners, spectators and communities to come together - not simply for the pure enjoyment of running, but to support the well-being of the greater community," said Jacqueline Ryan, Scotiabank's Vice President of Sponsorships and Partnership Programs.  "Scotiabank would like to thank all of the participants and supporters who together raised a remarkable sum benefitting 181 charities through the Scotiabank Bright Future philanthropic program. We look forward to another successful Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2013."

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge awarded first, second and third place cash prizes to participating charities in each of three categories totalling $33,000. Each category winner received $6,000 with the second place charity receiving $3,000 and $2,000 going to the third place charity.

The winners of the 2012 Scotiabank Charity Challenge are:

Highest fundraising dollars raised:

1. Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation - $664,493
2. SickKids Foundation - $253,914
3. Salt & Light Catholic Media Foundation - Fountain of love and Life - $119,333

Most participating fundraisers:

1. Engineers Without Borders - Run to End Poverty - 268 runners
2. A Run to Remember (supported by Armenian Community Centre) - 202 runners
3. Epilepsy Toronto - 200 runners

Highest fundraising dollars per fundraiser:

1. Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation - $3,345
2. Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada - $3,103
3. Sheena's Place - $2,966

The Neighbourhood Challenge was created in order for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to have a sustainable, year-round impact on our local neighbourhoods, groups, charities and families. The Neighbourhood Challenge gives back to those communities that the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon course runs through. It's a friendly competition amongst neighbourhoods to see who puts on the best cheering stations along the race route. Thousands of supporters gather along the length of the course to celebrate our different neighbourhoods."

Last night Scotiabank awarded a total of $14,000 to the charities of Neighbourhood Challenge winners.

The winners of the 2012 Neighbourhood Challenge are:

1. Greek Town
2. St. Lawrence Market (hosts St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association)
3. Liberty Village/King West (hosts St. Christopher House)

Honourable mentions went to The Beach, Church-Wellesley & Cabbagetown.

For the third year in a row, Scotiabank also gave out five cash awards totalling $5,000 to the winners charity as part of the Best Dressed Costume Contest at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. One of the best dressed winners, Stephane Hetherington also achieved a Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon run as a Super Hero.

The winners of the 2012 Best Dressed Costume Challenge are:

1. Marathon Winner - Stephane Hetherington as FLASH
2. Half-Marathon - Cody Alltrogge as CAPTAIN ST. CHRIS
3. 5K Winner - Lyric Morris as BATMAN

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon:

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the signature event of the Canada Running Series and the country's premier international running event, annually attracting 25,000 participants from over 50 countries and raising more than $4 million for over 180 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 in 2010; and 2:22:43, Koren Yal, in 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 in the same league as other world-class city marathon destinations such as Chicago, Los Angeles and Houston.

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.

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations