Starbucks gears up to motivate 17,000+ runners and build community spirit at the BMO VancouveMarathon
Neighbourhood cheer signs available at 11 Starbucks in Vancouver
Vancouver, BC – April 23, 2013 – Bringing people and neighbourhoods together to cheer on runners at the BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 5th is at the heart of Starbucks’ new community initiative. From April 22to May 5, 11 Starbucks locations in Vancouver, near or along the Marathon or Half Marathon courses, will distribute race information including neighbourhood cheer signs. Starbucks stores will act as a neighbourhood hub for the BMO Vancouver Marathon event information and will encourage locals to cheer on runners on race day.
To inspire and motivate runners, spectators can write their own uplifting message on the sign. Locals are encouraged to cheer on a friend or prepare a funny quote to help keep runners’ spirits up. Signs are available at Starbucks stores in the neighbourhoods of Coal Harbour, Dunbar, Point Grey, UBC, Kitsilano, the West End, Downtown and Cambie. Cheer posters can also be downloaded from the BMO Vancouver Marathon website.
“The great marathons of the world have thousands of spectators lining the street,” said Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, the non-profit organization in charge of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. “Vancouverites have shown their passion for sport. They believe that sport matters, that sport inspires, and that sport can be celebrated. This new initiative by Starbucks encourages locals to get out on race day and cheer on the 17,000+ runners. We are thrilled to be partnering with Starbucks to foster this neighbourhood-type celebration”.
“We are very excited to share our expanded support this year of the BMO Vancouver Marathon” says Caroline Ternes, Regional Vice President of Starbucks. “The Starbucks Neighbourhood Cheer initiative is about inviting neighbours and communities to come together and inspire a sense of community involvement and foster a spirit of public celebration on the day of the race!”
Details of the program and Starbucks locations can be downloaded from the event website.
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, Cell: 604-374-8999, [email protected]
- Laurie Grant, BMO Media Relations, 604-665-7596, [email protected]