TORONTO, ON - June 09, 2015 /CNW/ - On Thursday, June 11, close to 2,000 Torontonians will run through the downtown core in the Scotiabank Rat Race for United Way Toronto. All funds raised at the 15^th annual 5k fun-run will support United Way Toronto, giving people the opportunities they need to improve their lives and build a better future.

WHAT: Scotiabank Rat Race for United Way Toronto

WHEN: Thursday, June 11, 2015

• 6:00 p.m. Pre-race activities (DJ Romeo, Balloon artists, Caricature artists, face painting, rat mascot)
• 6:45 p.m. Opening remarks from Julia Gorman, Shawn Goddard and Julie Strofolino
• 7:00 p.m. Warm up
• 7:15 p.m. Runners make their way to start line
• 7:30 p.m. Race start
• Approximately 8:15 p.m. The Big Cheese after-party for rat race runners, featuring live band Start the Car

WHERE: Nathan Phillips Square - 100 Queen Street West
Media check-in desk is in the north-west corner of Nathan Phillips Square (beside the performance stage)
Race starts on University Avenue just south of Armoury St.

PHOTO OP: 2,000 racers, of all ages and skills - potentially dressed in costume - ready at the start line

WEBSITE: unitedwaytoronto.com/ratrace

HASHTAG: #UWRatRace

AVAILABLE TO SPEAK WITH MEDIA: 
United Way Toronto Chief Development Officer, Julia Gorman
Scotiabank's United Way Campaign co-chairs, Shawn Goddard and Julie Strofolino

About United Way Toronto
United Way Toronto is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for a better life for everyone. Working in partnership with others, we mobilize people and resources to support a network of agencies that help people when they need it most. United Way also addresses the root causes of social problems, working to change community conditions for the better over the long term. unitedwaytoronto.com

About Scotiabank
Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes 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 parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 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 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank's media releases using CNW. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.