An outstanding $930,000 and counting raised for charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge

CALGARY, May 26, 2013 /CNW/ - The 49^th annual Scotiabank Calgary Marathon saw charity records and a Guinness World Record broken today. More than 12,000 runners ran through scenic Stampede Park under sunny skies and raised a record-breaking $930,000 for charities as of press time.

Elite runner Benard Onsare from Calgary won the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon for the second year in a row with an impressive time of 2:28:53 in front of Toronto's Gilbert Kiptoo, who finished with a time of 2:42:06. Devin Woodland from Three Hills, AB came in third with a time of 2:43:39. Nadyia Fry of Invermere, BC took first place in the marathon for the women's category, with a time of 2:51:36 followed by Calgary's Alice Ndirangu, who finished the marathon with a time of 2:54:20. Andrea Glover of Nanton, AB came in third with a time of 3:02:07.

"Today's race was an exciting one both for runners and the city of Calgary," said Kirsten-Ellen Fleming, Executive Director, Scotiabank Calgary Marathon. "The community of Calgary really came together today through the sport of running and by giving back to the community through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge."

Calgary's Blaine Penny and the Mito Team, made up of ten elite runners, all broke a Guinness World Record, running the fastest linked marathon ever. The team ran the entire 42.2km linked together with surgical tubing, and finished the race with a time of 2:55:23. The Mito Team has raised more than $100,000 for MitoCanada, one of the event's featured charities. The other featured charity this year was Foothills Academy, that raised more than $93,000 through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

The 76 charities registered in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised an incredible sum of $930,000 as of press time, surpassing its $800,000 target. This remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of $738,000 raised for community charities.

"The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon gets bigger and better every year," said Joanne Morgan, District Banking Manager Calgary District, Scotiabank. "This race is a true demonstration of athleticism, philanthropy and community spirit. We are so proud of the runners, volunteers and spectators who came together raising an incredible $930,000 for local charities."

Race Day Results:

Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Male

Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Female

Centaur Subaru Half Marathon:

Half-Marathon Male

Half-Marathon Female

JUGO JUICE 10K

10K Male

10K Female

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

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

About the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
Canada's Oldest Marathon Turns 50 June 1, 2014

Voted the 2012, 2010, 2009 & 2008 Best Road Race in Alberta, the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is a challenging, competitive and fun event with a race designed for runners and walkers of any level. This umbrella event includes the Scotiabank Marathon, Centaur Subaru 21.1K, Jugo Juice 10K, AstraZeneca 5K Walk and Run and the Scotiabank Kids Marathon.

For more information about the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, visit www.calgarymarathon.com.

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.

Image with caption: "Calgary's Benard Onsare finishes in first place at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on May 26, 2013 with a time of 2:28:53. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130526_C2269_PHOTO_EN_27056.jpg

Image with caption: "Nadyia Fry of Invermere, BC is the top female finisher at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on May 26, 2013 with a time of 2:51:36. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130526_C2269_PHOTO_EN_27057.jpg

Image with caption: "Team Mito broke the Guinness World Record of running the fastest linked marathon with a time of 2:55:23 at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on May 26, 2013. Team Mito raised more than $100,000 for MitoCanada, a featured charity at the event. The Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised more than $930,000 for charities. (CNW Group/Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130526_C2269_PHOTO_EN_27058.jpg

SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations