7,000 runners will fundraise for 71 charities as part of Scotiabank Charity Challenge

MONTREAL, April 19, 2018 /CNW/ - Thousands of participants will bring spring back to Montréal this weekend for the 16^th annual Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal. One of Quebec's most important road races and fundraising runs, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal features the Scotiabank Charity Challenge supporting 71 local charitable organizations this year. Fundraisers are aiming to surpass last year's record of $1.25 million raised.

"We are proud to see growth in participation year after year," said Tom Apostolis, District Vice-President, Montreal Centre at Scotiabank. "The Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal is becoming a spring tradition for participants by providing the best conditions to challenge themselves on the road while providing them with the tools to support 71 local charities. The medal around the necks of Scotiabank Charity Challenge runners is twice as meaningful, considering the great personal achievement they made and the direct impact their contribution will have on supporting young people and our communities."

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 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.

Scotiabank believes in helping young people reach their infinite potential, and many organizations who take part in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge have a direct impact on 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.

Taking place over Saturday and Sunday, the event will see nearly 7,000 runners cross its start lines of various distances. The Banque Scotia 21k is on the way of being a sold-out event again this year. "Last year, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal became a weekend-long event, added Race Director Francois Lecot of Canada Running Series. "Runners and walkers can now choose from 5k, 10k or half marathon distances, while children can participate in a 1k Kids Run. It is truly a weekend for the whole family! The Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal is one of the key spring running events in Eastern Canada and every year more and more people choose to participate in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge."

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

For a complete list of 2018 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal's website.

Part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a friendly competition between the charities for $24,750 in cash prizes consisting of $4,250 for 1^st place, $2,500 for 2^nd, and $1,500 for 3^rd 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 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal on the event website until Friday, April 20 at 6 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.
• 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. You can also show your support to runners online by using the hashtags #SCOTIA21KMTL and #runScotia.

About Scotiabank
At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite 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 2017, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 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 24 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 89,000 employees and assets of over $923 billion (as at January 31, 2018), 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 @Scotiabank.

About Canada Running Series
Canada Running Series is the nation's premier running circuit with 8 events: 4 in Toronto, 2 in Vancouver, 1 in Edmonton and 1 in Montreal. It annually attracts some 60,000 participants and raises more than $6 million for some 320 mostly local charities.

The Series includes the IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization.

We are passionately committed to staging great experiences for runners of all levels from Canadian Olympians and International stars, to healthy lifestyle people and charity runners; and to making sport part of sustainable communities and the city-building process. Our mission is "building community through the sport of running." Join us at www.RunCRS.ca

SOURCE Scotiabank