Dollars raised through BMO Vancouver Marathon’s Run4Hope charity program make a meaningful impact in the lives of many
Nearly 500 runners signed up to raise funds for a cause at the 2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon
Vancouver, BC – May 30, 2014 – Runners participating in the 2014 BMO Vancouver Marathon have helped raise over $370,000 that will go towards building homes, cancer research, keeping children safe, protecting endangered species and a variety of other causes.
The event’s charity program, Run4Hope consists of 24 charities that runners can fundraise for or donate to. It received double the participants over 2013, bringing 492 runners to the event this year. Similarly, online donations increased from $10,000 in 2013 to over $36,000 in 2014, with 92% of charities that participated both years receiving significantly more online donations in 2014. Although the Run4Hope charity program is in its second year, the BMO Vancouver Marathon has helped raise approximately 13 million for charity over the past 14 years.
The success and positive impact of Run4Hope in the community and elsewhere has sparked the interest of charities throughout Canada, creating the need for a 2015 waitlist. Currently, there are 14 new charities on the waitlist for next year’s charity program.
“We are so grateful to all of the runners who were able to fundraise and donate to one of our charities,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society. “The Run4Hope program aligns with our vision of building community spirit and engagement by providing runners with options to help a cause that resonates with them.
In addition to the dollars raised, charities are great partners and provide tremendous volunteers over race weekend. As a non-profit organization, we recognize our duty to better our community and that’s why this program is so very valued and cherished. With these great organizations, we work together to achieve mutual goals,” she added.
Listed are the 2014 Run4Hope charities
National Charities
- Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
- Down Syndrome Research Foundation
- Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver
- Ronald McDonald House, BC
- Team in Training: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Official Charities
- Canadian Cancer Society
- KidSafe Project Society
- Team Diabetes: Canadian Diabetes Association
- Team Fox: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy
- Josh Platzer for Teen Suicide Prevention & Awareness
- Team World Vision
- Team Finn
Community Charities
- BC Epilepsy Society
- ‘NSTEP to Prevent Childhood Obesity
- Heart & Stroke Foundation
- Make-A-Wish Foundation, BC & Yukon
- The Kidney Foundation of Canada, BC Branch
- The Arthritis Society
- BC SPCA
- Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC
- Quest Food Exchange
- Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation
About The Vancouver International Marathon Society
The Vancouver International Marathon Society is the non-profit organization responsible for the BMO Vancouver Marathon. The event is one of Canada’s largest marathons and has a 43-year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Half Marathon. The event will take place on May 4, 2014, featuring the three point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighborhoods. The Health, Sports and Lifestyle Expo will take place during Marathon weekend on May 1-3. The 2014 events 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 250 for the Kids 1-Mile Fun run participants.
For more information about the Vancouver International Marathon Society visit: www.runvan.org
About BMO
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be in its ninth year as title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. BMO supports the running community through sponsorship of marathon events throughout North America – in Vancouver, Kelowna, Charlottetown, Phoenix, Arizona, and Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. BMO’s long and proud history of supporting sports and fitness in Canada 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, Cell: 604-374-8999, [email protected]
Erin Marranca, BMO Media Relations, [email protected]
Facebook: BMO Vancouver Marathon, Twitter: @BMOVanMarathon, Web: www.bmovanmarathon.ca
Facebook: Vancouver International Marathon Society