$10,000 awarded to community groups at the 2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon
New Community Awards encourage volunteerism and bolsters community spirit.
Vancouver, BC – March 19, 2013 – The new Community Awards will allot a total of $10,000 to community groups to celebrate and recognize the important role they play in volunteering at the annual 18,000-participant BMO Vancouver Marathon. Volunteer groups can earn five awards of $2,000 each under the new program.
Contributing about 16,000 hours over several months to the BMO Vancouver Marathon, volunteers play a vital role in a variety of capacities from assisting at water and aid stations to helping with gear pick up at the Finish Line. The new Community Awards will honour those groups who contribute the most volunteer effort and enthusiasm.
The Awards are open to any community group: a club, society, charity, non-profit, school, college, university or association that is organized and operated without the purpose of making a profit. To be eligible, community groups must provide a minimum of 25 or more volunteers. Groups must also create a fun and memorable experience for runners, spectators, and the community and demonstrate spirit and enthusiasm at the event. Award candidate groups must also demonstrate a commitment to the safety of the runners, volunteers, and spectators.
The Vancouver International Marathon Society, the non-profit organization responsible for the BMO Vancouver Marathon, will select the winners of the five cash awards totaling $10,000.
Details of the program 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.
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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