MONTREAL, QC - April 02, 2014 /CNW/ - Thousands of athletes, both elite and recreational, will be making the most of spring by running through beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeau for the ninth annual Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k on April 27, 2014. All participants can make their run even more meaningful by supporting one of the 51 charities registered through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. 

"Whether you are running for a personal best or for fun, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a fantastic opportunity to raise much-needed funds for local charities that make a real difference in our communities," said Carole Chapdelaine, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region. "I would like to congratulate the 2014 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k participating charities and encourage all of the runners and their supporters to give back to their favourite charity."

This is the fifth year that Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k will host the prestigious Canadian Half Marathon Championships. Canada's best distance runners will compete to bring home the Canadian Championship title. Elites to watch include the defending champions, Olympian Eric Gillis and Brantford's Krista DuChene, who represented Canada in the World Championships Marathon in Moscow last summer. The women's race will be very exciting this year with Toronto's Rachel Hannah, who finished second overall at the NACAC Cross Country Championships in Trinidad in February as a member of Team Canada, Nanaimo's Erin Burrett, and Corner Brook, NL's Kate Bazeley, who won the 2012 edition of the marathon, looking to de-throne DuChene.

"This year's Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k is going to be a great one, whether you are running in it or cheering on loved ones from along the race route," said Francois Lecot, the event's Race Director. "This race brings together people of all fitness levels to both achieve their running goals and raise money for worthy causes through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. We raised an incredible $668,838.50 for 39 charities last year and we are looking forward to raising more than $700,000 for 51 registered charities at this year's event."

Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, participating charities keep 100% of the proceeds raised as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.

This year's featured charities include:

• MAB -- MacKay Foundation

The Montreal Association for the Blind (MAB) and the Mackay Rehabilitation Centre joined in 2006, offering rehabilitation services that promote personal autonomy and enable social participation to the extent of the individual's capacities. Through its 26 family-centred programs, the staff works with clients to develop their abilities and build their confidence so they can reach their full potential. Last year, the MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre provided services to 5,188 clients of all ages, including children with motor impairments or communication disorders as well as people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired and/or deaf or hard of hearing.

• Generations Foundation

Generations Foundation provides food programs including breakfast, hot lunches and snacks to over 6500 school children in over 60 schools and 11 learning centers on a daily basis. Taking into consideration both the unique needs of each school and the students, the Generations Foundation ensures that the children most in need receive what they need. Parents are not charged for the food their children receive.

• The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

The mission of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is to be a leader in finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and enabling people affected by MS to enhance their quality of life. The society's two major programs support MS research into the cause, treatment and cure of the disease and provide services that assist people with MS and their families.

All participating charities also have an opportunity to win prizing through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Awards. These prizes include:

• $5,000 to the Official Charity that has the most runners
• $5,000 to the Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars
• $5,000 to the Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars per fundraising runner
• $2,000 awarded to the Official Charity of the top individual fundraiser

The Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k is currently sold out but there are many ways to be a part of this exciting race: 

Pledge: Support and honour a loved one or give something back to your community through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. You can sponsor a team or an individual for the 5k and 21k races. For more information go tohttp://canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/montCHARITY.htm.

Cheer: Support your friends and family along the race route and as they cross the finish line. Start times are 8:30 a.m. for the 5k race and 10:00 a.m. for the 21k race. The start of the 21k is near the Parterre on Ste-Helene Island of Parc Jean-Drapeau. The start of the 5k is near the metro station on Ste-Helene Island. For course maps go tohttp://canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/montDET.htm#startline.

With the support of the City of Montreal and the STM, the subway service on the Yellow Line of STM is operating as usual on race day, from 5:30 a.m. on Sunday April 27 to 12:30 a.m. on Monday April 28 to provide runners and their supporters access to Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Banque Scotia 21k et 5k de Montreal.

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.

About Canada Running Series:

Canada Running Series [CRS] is the nation's premier running circuit with 8 events: 4 in Toronto, 3 in Vancouver and 1 in Montreal. It annually attracts some 60,000 participants and raises more than $5 million for some 250 mostly-local charities. The Series includes the IAAF Silver Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, and the Athletics Canada National 10K and Half Marathon Championships. Since 1999, CRS has gained international recognition for innovation and organization. It is strongly 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. 

For more information:

Gordon Smith
Scotiabank
gordon.smith2@scotiabank.com
416-933-3056

Deborah Bourne
High Road Communications 
deborah.bourne@highroad.com
514 908-0110 ext 319