Participants lace-up in support of 78 local charities, through the
Scotiabank Charity Challenge

CALGARY, May 23, 2019 /CNW/ - The 55^th edition of the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon takes place this weekend with participants raising money for 78 local charities, as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

Canada's longest running marathon, The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, features the: 50km Ultra, Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, Centaur Subaru 21.1km, Jugo Juice 10km, GoodLife Fitness 5km Walk & Run and the Scotiabank Kids Marathon, for those 12 years of age and under. The race weekend will welcome 10,000 participants across all distances

"Canada's longest running marathon is about much more than running, it brings people in our community together through a shared value of active healthy living and it celebrates excellence, in achievement and in fundraising," says Kirsten Fleming, Executive Director of Run Calgary.

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a turnkey fundraising program that provides a simple way for racers 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 transactions and credit card fees. Since 2010, $7,395,111 has been raised in Calgary through the Challenge.

"We are proud to continue our involvement with the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon again this year," says Rod Wendt, District Vice President, Calgary Central, Scotiabank. "We know what is possible when people come together in support of their communities. At Scotiabank, investing in our communities has been a focus for over 185 years and that is not changing. Together with our employees, we are focused on enriching the lives of young people and helping them reach their infinite potential. Our goal has always been to help create a better life for people in the communities we serve and that will continue at the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on May 26. We look forward to cheering all the racers across the finish line and thank them for fundraising for their charity of choice through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge."

Scotiabank offers the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at six sponsored marathon events across Canada including Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto. Since 2003, over $70 million has been raised as part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge across Canada. Scotiabank aims to help young people reach their infinite potential by investing in the complete picture of their development. Many of the organizations who take part in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge have a direct impact in our local youth. Through the Bank's philanthropic efforts, we hope young people gain lifelong skills and values that help them grow into healthy, contributing adults.

For a complete list of 2019 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon's website.

How can you get involved?

• Register for an event: Register for Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on the event website until May 25, 2 p.m. or beginning at 11 a.m. in person at the Health and Wellness Expo on Friday May 24, at: Big Four Building in Stampede Park (1801 Big Four Trail S.E.)
• 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 theScotiabank 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.

Everything you need to know in advance of Race Weekend, for Race Day and following the race, can be found on the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon website.

About the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
A race for every age and ability, Alberta's Best Road Race in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017 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 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.

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 2018, 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 the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 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 98,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at January 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit http://www.scotiabank.com/ and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.

SOURCE Scotiabank