TORONTO, ON - November 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Runners, spectators and neighbourhoods alike at the 2013 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon raised over $3.8 million in support of 185 local charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. In celebration of their fundraising efforts, just over $61,400 in prizes was presented to charities at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Awards Night in Toronto on November 27.

"Enormous congratulations to all our Charity Challenge and costume runners, our Neighbourhood Champions and spectators, plus our Marathon Jrs!" said Race Director Alan Brookes. "Your energy, dedication and determination exemplify the spirit of the marathon and enrich our city immeasurably."

This year, the charities raised $3,858,072. Since its inception in 2002, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge has raised a grand total of more than 21 million dollars for local charities.

"The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is an incredible event for our city, where the dreams of runners, both elite and recreational are realized and runners, walkers, spectators and communities join together to raise much needed money for our community," said Claude Norfolk, Scotiabank Senior Vice President of Toronto Region. "We would like to thank all of the participants and supporters who raised an outstanding amount of funds for 185 charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge."

In addition to the total amount of dollars raised by participating charities, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge awarded first, second and third place cash prizes to participating charities in each of three categories totalling $33,000. Each category winner received $6,000 with the second place charity receiving $3,000 and $2,000 going to the third place charity.

The 2013 winners are:

Highest fundraising dollars raised:

1. Fountain of Love and Life - $205,291
2. SickKids Foundation - $145,685
3. Gilda's Club Greater Toronto - $105,746

Most participating fundraisers:

1. A Run to Remember (supported by Armenian Community Centre) - 301 Runners
2. Engineers Without Borders - 157 Runners
3. Epilepsy Toronto - 144 Runners

Highest fundraising dollars per fundraiser:

1. Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation - $4,687 / participant
2. Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada - $3,945 / participant
3. Buddhist Education Foundation for Canada - $3069 / participant

The Neighbourhood Challenge was created in order for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to have a sustainable, year-round impact on our local neighbourhoods, groups, charities and families. The Neighbourhood Challenge gives back to those communities that the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon course runs through. It's a friendly competition amongst neighbourhoods to see who puts on the best cheering stations along the race route. Thousands of supporters gather along the length of the course to celebrate our different neighbourhoods.

During the awards ceremony, Scotiabank awarded a total of $14,000 to the charities of Neighbourhood Challenge winners.

The winners of the 2013 Neighbourhood Challenge are:

1. Greektown
2. St. Lawrence Market (hosts St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association)
3. Liberty Village/King West (hosts St. Christopher House)

Honourable mentions went to South Riverdale, The Beach, and Cabbagetown.

For the fourth year in a row, Scotiabank also gave out five cash awards totalling $5,000 to the winner's charity as part of the Best Dressed Costume Contest at the marathon.

The winners of the 2013 Best Dressed Costume Challenge are:

1. Marathon Winner - Brett Titus as a man in a cage
2. Marathon Runner Up - Kevin Bibby as a fireman
3. Half-Marathon - Rosena Joseph as a bride
4. 5K Winner - Ana Tomy as a skeleton
5. 5K Winners - Kevin Bourgeois and Johnathan Puddle, wearing tuxedos

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon:

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the signature event of the Canada Running Series and the country's premier international running event, annually, attracting over 25,000 participants from over 60 countries and raising more than $3.8 million for over 180 local and national charities. Visit www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.

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, Scotiabank 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 at www.scotiabank.com.