Scotiabank Signs on as the Ottawa Marathon, Ottawa Half-Marathon and Charity Program Title Sponsor

OTTAWA, ON - January 29, 2014 /CNW/ - The organizers of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend have struck a new partnership that will see Scotiabank become the new title sponsor for the weekend's signature event, the Ottawa Marathon as well as its half-marathon and charity program.

Effective immediately, the IAAF silver-label Ottawa Marathon will be known as theScotiabank Ottawa Marathon, the half-marathon will be known as the Scotiabank Ottawa Half-Marathon, and the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend charity program will become theScotiabank Charity Program.

"We are ecstatic to have Scotiabank, one of Canada's biggest supporters of the sport of running, sign on as a title sponsor for our two longest distances and charity program," said John Halvorsen, President of Run Ottawa and the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend's Race Director. "We couldn't have hoped for a better way to celebrate the 40th running of the Ottawa Marathon!"

Organizers are planning to use the newly secured funds to enhance runners' experience as part of the overall 40th Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon celebrations.

"We are excited to become the title sponsor of the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon as this great event celebrates its 40th running," said Frank Bilodeau, Scotiabank Vice-President of the Ottawa and West Quebec District. "This marathon weekend is a special showcase for the city of Ottawa, bringing together walkers, runners, spectators and neighbourhoods to celebrate running and give back to the community. We are looking forward to the Scotiabank Charity Program and we encourage the public to make their run this year even more meaningful by supporting one of our featured charities."

Scotiabank is currently the title sponsor for five marathons across the country: the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k, the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k and the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon.

The 2014 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will take place May 24-25, 2014. The Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, the Scotiabank Ottawa Half-Marathon and the Ottawa 10K have sold out. Runners can still register for the HTG Sports 5K, 2K and Kids Marathon at www.runottawa.ca.

About the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend 
The 2014 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will welcome 48,000 participants in six races, including the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, the Scotiabank Ottawa Half-Marathon, the Ottawa 10K, the HTG Sports 5K, the 2K and Kids Marathon. The Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon and Ottawa 10K are both designated Silver Label IAAF events by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). Run Ottawa, the organization behind the TamarackOttawa Race Weekend, is dedicated to promoting the sport of running and enhancing the health and well-being of our community by organizing distinctive world-class and local races, and managing an active, membership-based running club. Visit us at www.runottawa.ca.

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, 'Bright Future'. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us atwww.scotiabank.com.

For information or to coordinate an interview: 
Annie Boucher
Media relations
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
613-863-3702
boucher@fusecommunications.ca
@runfuse | @ottawamarathon

Diana Hart
Scotiabank Media Communications
diana.hart@scotiabank.com
416-866-7238