More than 5,000 runners raise more than $625,000 and counting for 39 local charities
MONTREAL, April 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Strong performances on a beautiful sunny day marked the 2013 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k today and Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships. A record 5,200 runners took to the scenic streets of Parc Jean-Drapeau today, raising more than $625,000 for 39 local charities.
Canadian Olympian and defending champion Eric Gillis from Guelph, ON cruised to a comfortable win and took the Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships title with an impressive victory in 1:05:57. He broke away from Toronto's Rejean Chiasson at 3km and never looked back. Chiasson took second place with a finish time of 1:08:04.
Krista Duchene from Brantford, ON had an even more impressive solo performance and took the female title at 1:12:28, just 19 seconds shy of the national record. She was trailed by Dayna Pidhoresky from Tecumseh, ON, who had a strong performance at 1:16:39 as she returned from injury. Lisa Avery was a surprise bronze medalist at 1:17:08.
"Today's race was not only an inspiring one for the athletes and supporters, but also for Montreal's community," said Francois Lecot, Race Director, Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k. " Runners and spectators alike came together today both through the sport of running and for raising funds for causes in the community."
The Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised more than $625,000 as of press time. This remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of $565,000.
"The 2013 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k was a huge success and we want to thank runners and supporters who should be extremely proud of their achievements today," said Carole Chapdelaine, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region. "Today's race demonstrated enthusiastic competition and community spirit and through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, we surpassed our goal and reached $625,000 which is truly a remarkable success."
Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal Results:
Half-Marathon Male
1. | Eric Gillis (Guelph) | 1:05:57 |
2. | Rejean Chiasson (Toronto) | 1:08:04 |
3. | Patrice Hamelin (Quebec) | 1:09:02 |
Half-Marathon Female
1. | Krista Duchene (Brantford) | 1:12:28 |
2. | Dayna Pidhoresky (Tecumseh) | 1:16:39 |
3. | Lisa Avery (Orillia) | 1:17:08 |
5k Results
5k Male
1. | Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (Quebec) | 14:29 |
2. | Charles Cooper (Montreal) | 15:20 |
3. | Philippe Gravel (Magog) | 15:26 |
5k Female
1. | Beatrice Ouellet (Montreal) | 18:45 |
2. | Linda Henry (Montreal) | 19:01 |
3. | Mandoline Royer (Montreal) | 21:22 |
Now in its eleventh year, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal serves as the Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships and helps kick off the 2013 Canadian Championship Series.
Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships Results:
Canadian Championship Male
1. | Eric Gillis (Guelph) | 1:05:57 |
2. | Rejean Chiasson (Toronto) | 1:08:04 |
3. | Patrice Hamelin (Quebec City) | 1:09:02 |
Canadian Championship Female
1. | Krista Duchene (Brantford) | 1:12:28 |
2. | Dayna Pidhoresky (Tecumseh) | 1:16:39 |
3. | Lisa Avery (Orillia) | 1:17:08 |
To see a list of charities involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/montCHARITY.htm
For more highlights and complete race results, please visit http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/index.htm
Twitter Hashtag: #SCOTIA21KMTL
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 $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
About Canada Running Series
CRS is Canada's premier running circuit with 9 events in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. It provides a top quality "running experience" for participants of all levels and abilities, from Canadian Olympians and international stars, to weekend warriors and first-time fitness folks. It annually attracts 60,000 participants and raises over $6 million a year for some 250 mostly-local charities. Information and registration: www.RunCRS.ca.
SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations
Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank
Sheena.findlay@scotiabank.com
416-866-6806
Katherine Vanda
High Road Communications
Katherine.vanda@highroad.com
514 908-0110 poste 315