More than 5,000 runners raise more than $625,000 and counting for 39 local charities
MONTREAL, April 28, 2013 /CNW/ - Strong performances on a beautiful sunny day marked the 2013 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k today and Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships. A record 5,000 runners took to the scenic streets of Parc-Jean Drapeau today, raising more than $625,000 for 39 local charities.
Canadian Olympian and defending champion Eric Gillis from Guelph cruised to a comfortable win and took the Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships title with an impressive victory in 1:05:56. He broke away from Toronto's Rejean Chiasson and never looked back. Chiasson took second place with a finish time of 1:08:03.
Krista Duchene from Brantford had an even more impressive solo performance and took the female title at 1:12:27, shaving 20 seconds off the national record. She was trailed by Dayna Pidhoresky from Tecumseh, who had a strong performance at 1:16:38 as she returned from injury. Lisa Avery was a surprise as bronze medalist at 1:17:07.
"Today's race was not only an inspiring one for the athletes and supporters, but also for Montreal's community," said Francois Lecot, Race Director, Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k. "This spirited competition of sport runners and spectators alike come together both through the sport of running and for raising funds for causes in the community."
The Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised more than $625,000 as of press time. This remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of $565,000.
"The 2013 Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal et 5k was a huge success and we want to thank runners and supporters who should be extremely proud of their achievements today," said Carole Chapdelaine, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region. "Today's race demonstrated enthusiastic competition and community spirit and through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, we surpassed our goal and reached $625,000 which is truly a remarkable success."
Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal Results:
Half-Marathon Male
| 1. | Eric Gillis (Guelph) | 1:05:56 |
| 2. | Rejean Chiasson (Toronto) | 1:08:03 |
| 3. | Patrice Hamelin (Quebec) | 1:09:01 |
Half-Marathon Female
| 1. | Krista Duchene (Brantford) | 1:12:27 |
| 2. | Dayna Pidhoresky (Tecumseh) | 1:16:38 |
| 3. | Lisa Avery (Orillia) | 1:17:07 |
5k Results
5k Male
| 1. | Charles Philibert-Thiboutot (Quebec) | 14:29.0 |
| 2. | Charles Cooper (Montreal) | 15:19.8 |
| 3. | Philippe Gravel (Magog) | 15:25.4 |
5k Female
| 1. | Beatrice Ouellet (Montreal) | 18:45.0 |
| 2. | Linda Henry (Montreal) | 19:00.9 |
| 3. | Mandoline Royer (Montreal) | 21:21.8 |
Now in its fourth year, the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal serves as the Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships and helps kick off the 2013 Canadian Championship Series.
Athletics Canada National Half-Marathon Championships Results:
Canadian Championship Male
| 1. | Eric Gillis (Guelph) | 1:05:56 |
| 2. | Rejean Chiasson (Toronto) | 1:08:03 |
| 3. | Amor Dehbi (Montreal) | 1:09:19 |
Canadian Championship Female
| 1. | Krista Duchene (Brantford) | 1:12:27 |
| 2. | Dayna Pidhoresky (Tecumseh) | 1:16:38 |
| 3. | Lisa Avery (Orillia) | 1:17:07 |
To see a list of charities involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/montCHARITY.htm
For more highlights and complete race results, please visit http://www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf_en/index.htm
Twitter Hashtag: #SCOTIA21KMTL
About Scotiabank:
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $47 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
About Canada Running Series
CRS is Canada's premier running circuit with 9 events in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. It provides a top quality "running experience" for participants of all levels and abilities, from Canadian Olympians and international stars, to weekend warriors and first-time fitness folks. It annually attracts 60,000 participants and raises over $6 million a year for some 250 mostly-local charities. Information and registration: www.RunCRS.ca.
SOURCE: Scotiabank - Sponsorships & Donations
Sheena Findlay
Scotiabank
[email protected]
416-866-6806
Katherine Vanda
High Road Communications
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514 908-0110 poste 315
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