The Montreal Oasis Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 25th anniversary - Major commitments for the future of the Montreal Marathon

MONTREAL, Sept. 18, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - At two days to the 25^th anniversary edition of the Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Oasis Marathon, two key players of the event announced important news regarding the Marathon's growth and continuity in Montreal.

The City of Montreal announced that the event will be expanded over the course of two days starting in 2017. "A big sporting event like the Marathon contributes immensely to the vibrancy of Montreal's sports community and to its exposure. We're doing this to encourage even more runners from Montreal, and elsewhere, to participate in the event", says Dimitrios (Jim) Beis, Mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and member of Montreal's Executive Committee responsible for sports and leisure.

Sponsor Oasis also announced its continued commitment with the Marathon. "We have been a proud partner of the Marathon for the past three years and our partnership is far from being over! I am very happy to announce that we will remain the Marathon's name sponsor for seven more years", said Mr. Jean Gattuso, President and Chief Operating Officer of Lassonde Industries, with a big smile.

This spells good news for the Marathon's organizing team: "Welcoming more runners has become a priority in light of the event's enduring popularity and the ever increasing interest in running. Holding the event over two days will allow us to accommodate more runners, create new races and offer nighttime entertainment as part of the rock 'n' roll programming. We are so pleased to benefit from the City of Montreal and Oasis' support to fulfill this vision," adds Dominique Arsenault, the event's spokesperson.

Sunday will mark the Marathon's 25th anniversary in Montreal. The starting signal will be given by Montreal's Mayor Denis Coderre, who will be on Jacques-Cartier bridge along with the marathon and half-marathon's 22,000 runners waiting to take off. More than 20 bands will then take the stage along the 42.2-km course, followed by Hedley, who will offer a free concert at the finish line in Park La Fontaine.

At the P'tit Marathon 1 km Tel-jeunes, singer Anne-Lune will join actor and P'tit Marathon spokesperson Maxime Tremblay on the stage and kick off the race with a concert and warmup song for the 2,000 young runners. "Tel-jeunes will once again be at the starting line to wish all runners good luck and remind them that Tel-jeunes is there to support them when they need it", says Céline Muloin, President and Chief Executive Officer at Fondation Tel-jeunes, a cause associated with the P'tit Marathon for the past 13 years. "The new afternoon starting time will help the whole family run and cheer each other on," adds Muloin.

"Once again, this year proves how popular the Marathon really is. We are so happy to promote physical activity through this event, which attracts runners of all ages and levels of experience," adds Ms. Arsenault proudly.

Getting around the day of the event

Instructions on how to get to the starting line of each race can be found here: http://www.runrocknroll.com/montreal/the-races/general-info/. Participants are encouraged to use public transportation the day of the event. The STM (Société de Transport de Montréal) will offer free day passes on race day to all those registered to the Montreal Oasis Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

A detailed map showing street closures can be found here:  http://www.runrocknroll.com/montreal/en/the-races/general-info/

Media accreditation

Media are invited to make their request for accreditation by email to [email protected].

About the Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Oasis Marathon

In 2015 the Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Oasis Marathon will be celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Montreal Marathon. Organized by Festival de la Santé, in conjunction with Competitor Canada, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series is the world's largest running series, with over 500,000 runners participating in events worldwide every year. The series started in 1998 with the simple idea of making running fun, and has transformed the running landscape by livening up the route with live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations, creating a block-party atmosphere for participants and spectators alike. Today, the series of marathons and half-marathons has spread to more than 30 destination cities, drawing visitors from around the world. Over the history of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, charity partners have raised more than $300 million through the events for a variety of worthy causes.

SOURCE Marathon Oasis Rock''n''Roll de Montréal

Rock 'n' Roll Montreal Oasis Marathon, Arielle Mathieu, 514-260-4372, [email protected]; Caroline Lavoie, 514-781-4501, [email protected]