TORONTO, ON - June 09, 2016 /CNW/ - On Thursday, June 16, close to 2,000 participants will run through the downtown core in the Scotiabank Rat Race in support of United Way Toronto & York Region.

All funds raised at the 16^th annual 5k fun run will support United Way, giving people the opportunities they need to improve their lives and build a better future.

WHAT: Scotiabank Rat Race for United Way

WHEN: Thursday, June 16, 2016

• 6:00 p.m. Pre-race activities (DJ Craig Brooklyn, Balloon artists, face painting, rat mascot)
• 6:55 p.m. Opening remarks from Daniele Zanotti, 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

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 -- many dressed in costume -- ready at the start line

WEBSITE: www.unitedwaytyr.com/ratrace

HASHTAG: #UWRatRace

AVAILABLE TO SPEAK WITH MEDIA:

Senior Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy, Julia Gorman

Scotiabank's United Way Campaign co-chairs, Shawn Goddard and Julie Strofolino

About United Way Toronto & York Region

United Way Toronto & York Region is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for a better life for everyone from the waterfront of downtown Toronto, to the southern shore of Lake Simcoe. 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.

About Scotiabank

Through our global community investment strategy, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2015, Scotiabank contributed $67 million to help our communities 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 Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 23 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 89,000 employees and assets of $895 billion (as at April 30, 2016), 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 @ScotiabankViews.