Exclusive Legacy Runners Club for Past Participants Now Launched

Repeat Marathon, Half Marathon and 8 KM runners are rewarded for their loyalty with exclusive benefits at the 2014 event

Vancouver, BC – March 20, 2014 – A new program honouring long term and loyal runners will be introduced this year at the BMO Vancouver Marathon.  The Legacy Runners Club recognizes runners who have participated in and completed the Vancouver Marathon, Half Marathon or 8KM event multiple times since the inaugural dates in 1972, 1989, and 2008 respectively. This year marks the 43^rd running of the Marathon and the 25^th anniversary of the Half Marathon. In light of this milestone, the Vancouver International Marathon Society is celebrating returning runners who have contributed their energy and passion to the event year after year.

The Legacy Club will honour and recognize runners who have completed the event 15, 20 or 25 times. By analyzing finisher records dating back to 1972, approximately 70 runners have been identified as inaugural members of the Legacy Club. Going forward, entrants will continue to be tracked and runners will automatically become a member of the program once they qualify. Runners are also encouraged to come forward to identify themselves once they meet the criteria.

For the 2014 event, all legacy runners will receive specialized benefits including bibs from the Society with designs unique to their participation levels along with recognition on the Vancouver International Marathon Society webpage (www.runvan.org) and recognition at the start and finish lines on race day. Runners who have participated over 20 times will additionally have access to express package pickup. Runners who have run and completed a Vancouver Marathon event 25 times or more will also be invited to the Media Luncheon with the elite athletes on Friday, May, 2 and will be assigned a bib number for life to commemorate their achievement.

“We are honoured to see so many participants show their unbridled dedication towards the Vancouver Marathon as well as the sport of running,” says Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, the non-profit organization responsible for the BMO Vancouver Marathon. “This Legacy Club builds on the long history of the event by recognizing those runners who have been loyal to our races over the many, many years. By recognizing these dedicated and loyal runners with special bibs and other benefits, we hope other participants will also acknowledge these athletes. Imagine running an event 25 times or more over the last 43 years!”

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 and how to register visit: www.bmovanmarathon.ca
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.

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High resolution BMO Vancouver Marathon images are available on bmovanmarathon.ca/media/photo

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