BMO Vancouver Marathon is a Top qualifying Race for Boston Marathon
Vancouver, BC – January 30, 2013 – The renowned Boston Marathon has once again recognized the BMO Vancouver Marathon as an official qualifying race. According to an annual online ranking, Vancouver’s annual race, which last year attracted 15,000 participants, consistently makes the shortlist of Canadian and U.S races with the highest number of Boston Marathon qualifiers.
A unique element of the Boston Marathon is that participants must qualify in advance by completing a marathon that is affiliated with the International Association of Athletes Federation (IAAF) as well as achieve respected running times. Many serious long-distance runners aspire to these time qualifications making them, and thus the Boston Marathon their ultimate training goal.
In 2012, the BMO Vancouver Marathon was ranked 16th on the top 30 list of qualifying races in North America with 481 Boston Marathon qualifiers. This was accomplished in a year that marked the highest number of participants in the Vancouver event’s history. In the past three years the BMO Vancouver Marathon’s stature has increased on the qualifying list from 25th in 2009, 23rd in 2010 and 21st in 2011 to its current position.
With its gorgeous mountain views and stunning skylines, the BMO Vancouver Marathon course has been recognized as one of the “Top 10 Marathons Worth Travelling For” by Forbes Magazine. The route was also recently listed by CNN as a must-run “exotic” destination for 2013. In addition to the uniquely scenic route and temperate climate, the prestige of competing in a race that consistently qualifies runners to compete in the Boston Marathon is an important element for competitive runners.
“We want to be part of the big marathons of the world, that class of 10, and in order to do that, we need an inspired course,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, executive director of the race. “Our course is one of the most scenic in the world with 70% shoreline views. In addition, runners will experience Spring in Vancouver which brings beautiful cherry blossoms and snow capped mountains.”
On Sunday, May 5th, participants running in the BMO Vancouver Marathon will be attempting to qualify for the 2014 Boston Marathon as the application deadline for the 2013 session has passed. With a capacity of 5,000 people for the full marathon, the re-designed BMO Vancouver Marathon route will cover 42.2 km. It will kick off at Queen Elizabeth Park and will take runners through the University of British Columbia campus all the way along the waterfront from Jericho and Kits beaches and along the coveted seawall in Stanley Park with a final destination nearby the Vancouver Convention Centre.
About The Vancouver International Marathon Society
The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization. The event is Canada’s largest marathon and has a 41-year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. The event will take place on May 5, 2013, featuring the three point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighbourhoods. The 2013 events will remain capped at 5,000 for the Marathon, 10,000 for the Half-Marathon, 2,000 for the 8km, 500 for 8km Teen Challenge and 500 for the Kids 1-Mile Fun run participants.
About BMO
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be in its eighth year as title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. BMO supports the running community through sponsorship of marathon events in Vancouver, Kelowna, Charlottetown, Phoenix, Arizona, and Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. BMO has a long and proud history of supporting sports in Canada. We believe our ties with sports reflect some of our most deeply held corporate values, such as contributing positively to a healthy quality of life in the community, and promoting the achievements of people, regardless of age or ability.
Media Contacts:
- Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director, Vancouver International Marathon Society, Office: 604-872-2928, [email protected]
- Laurie Grant, BMO Media Relations, 604-665-7596, [email protected]
- Twitter: @bmovanmarathon, @runvancanada