Runners will fundraise for 79 local charities as part of Scotiabank Charity Challenge

CALGARY, May 24, 2017 /CNW/ - Thousands of runners are marking the return of Spring by preparing for the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon. The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon features the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, which enables runners to make every step count in favour of 79 local charitable organizations this year.

"At Scotiabank, we are proud of the way that this city cheers on the thousands of runners, but also the way that Calgary has rallied around the charities that are supported through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge", said Sloane Muldoon, Senior Vice President, Prairie Region at Scotiabank. "The Scotiabank Charity Challenge provides runners with a way to fundraising for local charities and make their run even more meaningful by impacting the communities where we live and work."

The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon features a 50k Ultra, full marathon, half-marathon, 10 km, 5 km family walk or run and kids' marathon. The 2017 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon expects to welcome 12,000 runners across all distances.

"As Canada's longest-running marathon, we are thrilled to bring people from coast-to- coast-to-coast together in Calgary to celebrate community, health and wellness and the spirit of healthy competition," says Kirsten Fleming Executive Director of the Calgary Marathon.

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a turnkey fundraising program that provides a simple way for runners to support the charity of their choice and make a significant impact locally. Participating charities keep 100% of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.

Scotiabank offers a Scotiabank Charity Challenge at six sponsored marathon events across Canada including Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. 

Scotiabank believe in helping young people reach their full potential, and many organizations who take part in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge have a direct impact in our local youth.  Young people are our future leaders, and it's crucial to provide them with the skills and resources they need to succeed.

For a complete list of 2017 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon's website.

Scotiabank is proud to provide cash prizes for the charities in the following categories:

• The Official Charity that has the most fundraising runners.
• The Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars.
• The Official Charity that raises the largest amount of pledge dollars per fundraising runner.

How to get involved:

• Register for an event: Register for Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on the event website until May 27, 4:00 p.m.
• Fundraise: Once registered, sign up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and raise funds for a participating official charity.
• Share! Share your story behind why you support your charity, using #runScotia, #runCalgary and #InfinitePotential
• Donate: Visit the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to select an official charity and make a one-time donation.
• Cheer: Support friends and family along the race route and as they cross the finish line.

About Scotiabank
At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their full potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2016, Scotiabank contributed more than $70 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 88,000 employees and assets of $887 billion (as at January 31, 2017), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

About the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
A race for every age and ability, Alberta's Best Road Race 4 years in a row includes the 50K Ultra, Scotiabank 42.2K, Centaur Subaru 21.1K, the Jugo Juice 10K, the Goodlife Fitness 5K Family Walk & Run and the Scotiabank Kids Marathon. The largest race on the prairies has the largest high performance purse west of Toronto and attracts elite athletes from coast to coast as well as internationally. The event brings in $7 million annually to the local economy and gives back through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, scholarship programming and the Neighbourhood Spirit Challenge.

SOURCE Scotiabank