CALGARY, AB - May 26, 2014 /CNW - In celebration of a Calgary tradition 50 years strong, Mayor Naheed Nenshi proclaims May 26 to June 1 "Marathon Week." The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon 50^th Anniversary kicks off with the opening of the annual Health and Wellness Expo and Race Package Pickup at The Big Four in Stampede Park. A record 15,000 runners and walkers will take to the streets on Sunday participating in races for all ages and abilities including a 50K ultra, Marathon, 21.1K, 10K and 5K Family Walk and Run. This year, participants have raised over $675,000 so far for 91 official charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, the fundraising arm of the race. An anticipated $1 million will be raised before the Scotiabank Charity Challenge closes at the end of June, bringing the 4-year total to over $3 million. There are special plans for the 50^th Anniversary and many interesting stories worth sharing of participants overcoming great odds, accomplishing extraordinary goals and celebrating their own milestones throughout "Marathon Week."


WHAT: HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO AND RACE PACKAGE PICKUP
This is the last chance to register for the Marathon, 21.1K, 10K, 5K or Kids' Marathon.

Visit 56 exhibitors featuring official marathon merchandise, sponsors, souvenirs, running apparel and accessories, nutritional and fitness products, samples, interactive displays and much more while runners pick up race packages. A Speakers Series featuring Olympians, Adventurers, Guinness World Record Holders and a Reality Star also runs Friday and Saturday. The Expo is free and open to the public.

WHEN: 
Thursday, May 29, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 30, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: 
The Big Four, Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1

WHO: 
Keynote speakers include Canadian Women's Marathon Record Holder Lanni Marchant, Ultramarathon Man Dean Karanazes, Bart Yasso of Runners' World, Olympian Cheryl Bernard, Star of Reality Show "Boundless" and Adventurer Racer Simon Donato, "Marathon Martin" Martin Parnell and more. The schedule is under "EXPO" at calgarymarathon.com

Race Day -- SUNDAY JUNE 1, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.


WHAT: WILD ROSE ULTRA 50K ULTRA: NATIONAL 50K ROAD RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHEN: 
Start time 7:00 a.m.

WHERE: 
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE

WHO: 
Elite Athletes: Adam Campbell, Anna Zielaski


WHAT: SCOTIABANK CALGARY MARATHON

WHEN: 
Start time 7:00 a.m.

WHERE: 
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE

WHO: 
Elite Athletes: Benard Onsare, Kip Kangango, Devin Featherstone, Lidia Simon, Teklu Deneke, Hans Aabye, Brendan Lunty, Benard Ngeno, Sheila Croft, Makorobondo Salukombo, Nelson Ndereva, Emily Chepkorir, Dan Kirwa, Gela Hailu


WHAT: CENTAUR SUBARU HALF MARATHON

WHEN: 
Start time 7:00 a.m.

WHERE: 
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE

WHO: 
Elite Athletes: Lanni Marchant, Frank Woolstencroft, Shannon Maisono, Patrick Cote, Grace Karey, Ailsa Macdonald, Duncan Marsden, Logan Roots, Francois Leboeuf, Cat Young, Pauline Maclean, AJ Rankel, Danan Kasia, Michael Quick, Solomon Rotich


WHAT: JUGO JUICE 10K

WHEN:  
Start time 7:30 a.m.

WHERE: 
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE

WHO:  
Elite Athletes: Lisa Harvey, Tom McGrath, Derek Nakluski, Kennan Vniey, Jackie Onyszko, Jessica Kaiser, Jackson Bocknick



WHAT: SCOTIABANK MARATHON KIDS

WHEN: 
Start time 10:00 a.m. (two waves)

WHERE: 
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE


WHAT: ASTRAZENECA 5K WALK & RUN

WHEN:  
Start time Noon

WHERE: 
Stampede Park, 1410 Olympic Way SE

WHO: 
91 Official Charity partner teams and 15 participating Calgary and area schools. 


MEDIA ACCESS INFO:

Race Day Media Coordinators: Ceilidh (Kay-lee) Price.

Sign in and pick up credentials at the Rodeo Bar inside the Grandstand marked VIP & ELITE CHECK IN.

• The Start and Finish area for all Scotiabank Calgary Marathon events is located at the Grandstand, Stampede Park. 
• Media sign in to pick up accreditation and information sheets: Inside the Grandstand at The Rodeo Bar -- marked "VIP and Elite Check-In"
• Media Access area: A VIP area will be set up near the Finish Line in the Grandstand.
• Please email kirsten@calgarymarathon.com for media credentials if you want them in advance or to advise whether a representative from your organization is joining us.
• Please identify yourself as media upon arrival in order to access the VIP area and tent.
• Please visit www.calgarymarathon.com for important road closure information and allow ample time to arrive on site.

Notable times to capture finishers:
Marathon -- 9:05 a.m.
21.1K -- 8:15 a.m.
10K -- 8:00 a.m.
50K -- 9:45 a.m.

"Marathon Week" Continued

TUESDAY -- Stories to share: Six adult siblings from every corner of the country reunite to race the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon; a survivor of the Italy Costa Concordia Cruise ship that sank off Giglio in Italy is running his 50^th Marathon with friend and local doctor who almost died of altitude sickness last year climbing Kilimanjaro running her 5^th marathon; runner celebrates 50^th birthday with 50^thMarathon; runner celebrates 100^th marathon on Race Day and will have bib retired; finish line proposal on race day; visually-impaired runner takes on marathon; man with terminal throat cancer takes on half-marathon with dozens of friends and family all "running for Jim"; 15-year old runner takes on the 50K…and so many more!

WEDNESDAY -- How to be a great spectator! Seven community-driven Neighbourhood Spirit Hubs, 14 local bands, 20,000 spectators! Make a funny sign and grab a pot and soup ladle to cheer on runners Sunday, June 1!

THURSDAY -- High Performance Program: With more than $50,000 in prize money (the largest purse west of Toronto), there are competitive athletes from as far as Ethiopia, Kenya and Holland travelling to Calgary to compete. The field will be deep and competition fierce as Kenyan transplant to Calgary, as well as the 2012 and 2013 Marathon winner Benard Onsare goes for the hat trick. Lanni Marchant broke a 28-year old record for Canadian Women's Marathon in October, placed 14^th overall woman in Boston in April and now goes for first in the Centaur Subaru 21.1K.

FRIDAY -- Meet the athletes attempting three unique Guinness World Records and celebrate Team MitoCanada as they are awarded their official Guinness papers for last year's success! 83-year-old Ed Whitlock holds the most total world single age records for road running for distances 5k to the marathon and joins us from Milton, Ontario. Press Conference on Friday, May 30^th at Noon at The Big Four, Stampede Park, under the Speaker Series Sign.

SATURDAY -- What does it take to put on the biggest race in the prairies? An exclusive media tour showcasing the challenges of delivery 30,000 pounds of bananas, mobilizing an army of 1500 volunteers and transforming The Grandstand, home to the Rodeo and Chucks, in to a world-class finish line for the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon. MEDIA TOUR at 10:30am at The Grandstand. Please come to the SOUTH side of the Grandstand and park in the lot across from the Grandstand NOT in the logistic staging area. A Race Official will meet you or call DAN at 403 604 3518.

To arrange an interview with runners, organizers, volunteers or for more information leading up to Race Weekend: contact Kirsten Fleming at Kirsten@calgarymarathon.com

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

Voted the 2013, 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. In 2014, The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is celebrating 50 years running and some 15,000 runners and walkers are expected to participate in the event and $1 million is expected to be raised through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, supporting 91 charities.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada's most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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

For further information contact:

Kirsten-Ellen Fleming
Executive Director
Calgary Marathon Society
Phone: 403-264-2996
Email: kirsten@calgarymarathon.com

Gordon Smith
Scotiabank Media Communications
Mobile: 416-402-2178
Email: gordon.smith2@scotiabank.com