BMO Vancouver Marathon – Now the Largest Marathon in Canada
New point-to-point courses, iconic Vancouver landmarks, and positive runner feedback keys to success.
Vancouver, BC, May 28, 2012 – With 4,234 finishers crossing the line at the 41st annual BMO Vancouver Marathon, the event is now the largest marathon in Canada. Runners enjoyed two new world-class point-to-point courses, experiencing coastal mountain views, the coveted Stanley Park Seawall, and the support of spectators lining the routes. In the Half Marathon over 8,333 participants finished the race. The event that saw 46 entrants run five loops around Stanley Park in 1972 has now eclipsed both the Ottawa and Toronto marathons. The number of finishers in both Vancouver races totalled12,567 out of 15,000 people who started.
The largest group of finishers ran the Half Marathon with 66 percent of participants doing the 21.1 km. Of those, the gender breakdown is as follows, 63 percent women and 37 per cent men. As expected most participants came from the Greater Vancouver region. Rounding out the top five cities were North Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary and Surrey. British Columbia had the most finishers followed by Washington state and Alberta. The top countries represented were Canada (80 percent) followed by the US (17 percent); the other 50 countries represented accounted for the other 3 percent.
Males between the ages of 40 to 44 comprised the top age category in the Marathon. In the Half, it was females between the ages of 30 to 34. In the plus 70 age group, a total of 90 participants took part in both the Half and Marathon.
Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, Charlene Krepiakevich, says an extensive stakeholder engagement strategy was undertaken to develop the course re-design that resulted in the record-breaking turnout. “This was the first major course re-design in over a decade. We listened to runners, supporters and sponsors about their needs and we are thrilled with how they responded.” She adds, “The overall success of our event is a testament to the vibrant running community and their desire to run new routes in Vancouver that showcase the best of what the city has to offer.”
Run More Than a Marathon runner and Vancouver resident Kevin Steinberg was thrilled with the new course, “The route was spectacular and showed off Vancouver like it is supposed to be shown. There were many aid stations that were well stocked. The mile and kilometre markers were accurate. The final touch, that was really great, happened as I collected my medal and walked round the corner to pick up my food packet. As I went through the tunnel, the crew were cheering and clapping. Now I have run many a race, but have to say it brought a tear to my eye, so well done.”
Elite runners came from as far away as Ethiopia, the Netherlands and Kenya to run Vancouver. The overall winner Gezahgn Eshetu, a well-respected Ethiopian runner, ran for the first time in Canada and was happy with the race and the city. Women’s winner Ellie Greenwood ran a personal best time, after competing in the London Marathon last month. $30,000 in prize money was awarded to over 30 elite athletes who participated in the event. In the Visually Impaired Category, VI pioneer Rose Sarkany finished first in the Half.
The BMO Vancouver Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization. The event sold out in 2012 for the first time and is now recognized as Canada’s largest marathon and voted a top ten destination marathon by Forbes Magazine. On May 5, 2013 the much-anticipated BMO Vancouver Marathon will again feature the point-to-point courses, breathtaking scenery, live entertainment and motivation from the community music and BMO cheer stations with spectators lining the streets in support. The BMO Vancouver Marathon is a major fundraiser for local charities, with a 41-year history within Vancouver and
the international running communities.
For more information about the BMO Vancouver Marathon, please visit: www.bmovanmarathon.ca
About BMO
BMO Bank of Montreal has been serving British Columbians for 125 years with the first branch opening in Vancouver in August, 1887. Today, its 3,000 employees serve customers from 118 BMO branches.. Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $525 billion as at April 30, 2012, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.
Media Contacts
Deirdre Rowland, Media Relations Manager, 778-888-9974, [email protected]
Laurie Grant, BMO Media Relations, 604-665-7596, [email protected]
Twitter: @BMOVanMarathon Web: www.bmovanmarathon.ca