Tom Mayenknecht, host of The Sport Market on TSN 1040, talks with Vancouver International Marathon Society Executive Director Charlene Krepiakevich, and Board member Dave Doroghy, about how the BMO Vancouver Marathon is now more than a just a marathon event.
A weekend for runners, health enthusiasts, keen volunteers, and energized neighbourhoods
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“May 3rd is the ultimate sports day for runners – it’s the crown jewel, the only marathon in Vancouver … Like you said, it is more than a Marathon (too). The BMO Vancouver Marathon is a Marathon, a Half Marathon, a new Marathon Relay, an 8KM event as well as a fantastic Kids Run. We call it ‘Marathon Weekend’ because things kick-off at the Convention Centre on Thursday night, and we’ve got a jammed-pack Expo filled with over 100 exhibitors.” – Charlene Krepiakevich
“There are dozens of Marathons around North America, but there are no cities that have got the scenery that you can run by, that you can take in, that you can just be swept away by – the fresh-air – it’s such a fantastic city! It should be celebrated by a fantastic Marathon and by the fantastic new Marathon course we have.” – Dave Doroghy
“We will have upwards of 4,000 volunteers out on race weekend – and that’s a small army … We rely heavily on the corporate support, but we also rely heavily on the community support. And we see this really as a celebration of sport and a reason for communities to get together.” – Krepiakevich
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Responding to demand and cementing its global reputation as top destination race weekend, the BMO Vancouver Marathon has expanded to include new race experiences for new, emerging, and experienced runners. In addition, the event has invested in a bigger health expo that’s tripled in size for 2015.
Big city marathon races have evolved to be significant local economic contributors bringing runners, families, supporters, and other visitors to the city. To enhance its reputations as a Top 10 destination marathon by Forbes and CNN, the BMO Vancouver Marathon will continue to invest in the experience and reach out runners, volunteers, and communities to add more fun and offer prizes including:
– Prizes for largest team
– Prizes for largest School Team
– Prizes for most enthusiastic volunteer groups
– Prizes for most energized fans and neighbourhoods
– Prizes for top elite racers
– Prizes for fastest male and female runner up Camosun Hill
Also new for 2015, the three-day BMO Vancouver Marathon Health, Sport & Lifestyle Expo moves to the Vancouver Convention Centre West from April 30 – May 2.
With 70,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor activation and exhibit space, the expo has attracted over 100 exhibitors and brands who will animate the experience for runners and their families, and will be a hub for locals to learn more about new and innovative health, sports and lifestyle products. The three-day Expo is a FREE event now further cementing Vancouver as one of the most active cities in the world.
