Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon sets records

Thousands of runners Just Giv'er and raise $520,000 for 60 local charities

HALIFAX, May 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Participation records were broken at the 10th annual Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon today, with almost 14,000 participants lacing up to run through the historic streets of Halifax and Dartmouth this Victoria Day weekend, raising more than $520,000 for 60 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

"Today was a great day at the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon with a record number of registered runners participating this year," said Gerry Walsh, Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon co-founder and event Chair. "We also had an all time high of 60 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. The entire community should be proud of its efforts this Blue Nose weekend."

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised $520,000 as of press time, surpassing last year's total of $480,000. Since the introduction of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge in 2009, we have now raised more than $1.8 million dollars and counting over the last five years for local charities.

"For both runners and walkers alike, the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon has become more than just the exhilaration of crossing the finish line," said Paul DeWolfe, Scotiabank's District Vice-President, South West Nova Scotia. "Today's race brought the community together to raise $520,000 for local organizations through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. That proves that the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is more than just a race - it's a great combination of athleticism, philanthropy and community spirit and we want to thank everyone for their fundraising efforts this year."

Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon Results:

Full-Marathon Male  
   
1. Greg Wieczorek of Halifax, NS     2:39:19.2
2. Mike MacKinnon of Miscouche, PEI    2:45:11.2
3. Scott Clark of Summerside, PEI   2:51:44.0
   
Full-Marathon Female  
   
1. Jen Nicholson of Cornwall, PEI    3:04:43.0
2. Judith Finn of Halifax, NS     3:27:23.3
3. Chloe Austin of Head of Chezetcook, NS  3:27:26.9

Half-Marathon Results

Half-Marathon Male  
   
1. John Kuto of Halifax, NS    1:09:42.0
2. Graydon Snider of Halifax, NS    1:11:20.6
3. Matthias Mueller of Halifax, NS    1:16:29.8
   
Half-Marathon Female  
   
1. Erin MacLean, Beechville NS   1:21:01.9
2. Natalie Sachrajda, Halifax NS   1:24:37.7
3. Joanne Reid, Halifax NS    1:25:53.3

10k Results

10K Male  
   
1. Brydon Tate of Heatherton, NS     0:32:55:1
2. Brad Piggott of Dartmouth, NS    0:34:56.3
3. Matt Piggott of Halifax, NS    0:34:57.1
   
10K Female  
   
1. Leoni Balter of Halifax, NS     0:37:41.7
2. Jullien Flynn of Sault Ste Marie, ON   0:38:11.9
3. Emily Hamilton of Halifax, NS    0:38:40.4

5k Results

5K Male  
   
1. Jonathan Peverill of Lower Sackville, NS  0:17:38.7
2. Andrew Peverill of Lower Sackville, NS  0:17:46.4
3. Jon Wadden of Hammonds Plains, NS  0:17:59.7
   
5K Female  
   
1. Natasha Herron of Antigonish, NS   0:18:42.6
2. Meggie Soehl of Bedford, NS    0:18:47.6
3. Melissa Hardy of Deer Lake, NL   0:18:59.6

For more highlights and complete race results, please visit: http://bluenosemarathon.com/

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

About the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon

The Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon is the largest one-day sport participation event in Atlantic Canada. The race has grown every year since it started in 2004, and has welcomed over 70,000 participants to date. Blue Nose weekend kicked off on Saturday May 18, 2013 with the Doctors' Nova Scotia Youth Run at 11am. All other race events, including the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k race and 5k race took place on Sunday May 19, 2013.  

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.    

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations

For further information:

Denise Corra
Co-Chair, Public Affairs
(902) 491-8102
Denise.corra@wcb.gov.ns.ca

Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank
(647) 628-3501
Sheena.findlay@scotiabank.com