Jul 22 2015
1

#TrainWithGrains this summer to up your running game.

By | Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

#TrainWithGrains this summer to up your running gameGFO Logo

By: Meghan Burke, Grain Farmers of Ontario

Enthusiasm, discipline, practice and a healthy, balanced diet: these are the key ingredients to workout success. At Grain Farmers of Ontario, we know that the carbohydrates from whole grains are a must for runners pre- and post-exercise, providing essential nutrients and offering a great source of energy to help fuel your athletic achievements. It is for this reason that we are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Canada Running Series at this year’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

Hummus with Crisp Pita Chips

Hummus with Crisp Pita Chips

In order to support you on your training journey, we will be working with the Canada Running Series’ esteemed Community Leaders to provide unique recipes and expert tips for fueling your workout and preparing for the big race. On Marathon day, we will be there to cheer you on, offering delicious, nutritious snacks at the Good in Every Grain Post-Race Food Station and spreading our love and knowledge of all things grain at our Growing Connections Trailer – a fun, interactive stop near the finish line for spectators young and old.

To enjoy our easy, nutritious grain-inspired recipes, follow Good in Every Grain and @RunCRS.

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops these farmers grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.

CONTEST ALERT!

To kick off the marathon preparation, we have free race entries to give away to four lucky Ontario residents. Interested in winning? Simply snap a pic of your favourite pre- or post-workout dish featuring barley, grain corn (think corn meal, flour or starch), oat, soybean or wheat and share on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #trainwithgrains, tagging Good in Every Grain (handles below) and @RunCRS in your post.

Find us at:

@GoodinGrain on Twitter

@GoodinEveryGrain on Instagram

www.facebook.com/GoodinEveryGrain

Contest ends August 14, 2015. For complete details visit GoodinEveryGrain.ca.

Jul 16 2015
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Are YOU up for a Guinness World Record at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

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TORONTO July 16th 2015

Are YOU up for a Guinness World Record at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon? It’s everyone’s chance for marathon glory!

Guinness The Flash

Fancy your chances as the world’s fastest marathon in a Superhero outfit? Or the fastest “joggling 3 objects”? What about in a baseball or lacrosse uniform? GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS is offering YOU a unique opportunity to become an official record holder on October 18th, at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. It’s another great reason to run a marathon, and glory awaits you!

It’s an opportunity to everyone who toes the Start line. “The wonderful thing about GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS is that they literally give everyone a chance to be a record holder,” says Race Director Alan Brookes. “I think we’ve built a reputation for record-setting and we’ve built quite a fondness for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS along the way.”

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s record setting run began in 2004 when Beaches resident, Michal Kapral set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement of  2:49:44 for the “Fastest Marathon While Pushing a Pram” with daughter Annika on board. Michal returned in 2005 to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for “joggling” – running 3:07:49 while juggling 3 balls the whole way! Instantly, a new sport was born and some great contests against Boston’s Zach Warren followed. Zach captured the record in Philadelphia in late 2005 and bettered it in 2006, before Michal reclaimed it on Toronto’s Waterfront in 2007 with a fabulous 2:50:12, which still stands today.

Since then, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has seen a wonderful assortment of GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievements. Jefferson the Dog set a mark for the “Fastest Marathon as a Mascot” [4:16] in 2010. Stephane Hetherington ran a very impressive 2:33:58 to set a new record for “Fastest Marathon in a Superhero Costume” in 2012. Maple Leafs fan Paul Statchuk has set truly Canadian records, first with the “Fastest Marathon in a full Hockey Kit (including stick)” in 2012 [4:08:43]; then with “Fastest Marathon in a Lacrosse Uniform” in 2013 [3:46:48].

Guinness Jeremiah

Last October, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon runners set no less than FIVE new records, highlighted by Lindsay Santagato, Bridget Burns and Jeremiah Sacay. Lindsay ran the 42k in full firefighter uniform, including the 45lb oxygen tank and full bunker suit, to set a record of 5:38:51. She was inspired and driven the whole way by running in memory of her brother Ryan who died of acute liver failure in 2009 at just 20 years old; and Lindsay ran to raise funds for the Canadian Liver Foundation as well as the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. Bridget represented High Park Zoo to clock 4:08:17 and the fastest marathon dressed as a Zookeeper. She broke the record while also carrying around a bag of stuffed animals to give out to spectators along the course! Jeremiah represented his favourite Toronto Blue Jays to set a new record in a baseball uniform [3:47:45].

In addition to solidifying your spot in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS history, those attempting a new record will also be in the running for one of Scotiabank’s “Best Costume” Awards. Winners will take home cash prizes for their charities, as well as glory and lots of great media exposure!

“The marathon is just such a wonderful community festival,” says Brookes. “It’s about joy, achievement, and celebration. There is so much energy and excitement; and the record-setting runners, the costume and charity runners are a vital part of this. Fellow-runners and spectators alike love the atmosphere they bring. We hope to see lots of runners chasing a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title this year, and going the distance for their charities in fun costumes”.

If you’d like to be part of record-breaking history this year, please email press@guinnessworldrecords.com  and jenna@canadarunningseries.com no later than September 1, 2015.

Please note that GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS participants must be entered in the STWM event (REGISTER TODAY) before registering online at www.guinnessworldrecords.com

APPENDIX. Complete List of Current Guinness World Records for the Marathon [as of August 24, 2014]. Some records may be faster than time listed below. Stay tuned for updated list. 

Fastest marathon by a mascot – Male – 3 hr 51 min 50 sec; Female – 4 hr 02 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon in military desert uniform – Male – 3 hr 50 min 31 sec
Fastest marathon as an insect – Male — 3 hr 32 min 41 sec; Female – 3 hr 24 min 10 sec
Fastest marathon backwards on inline skates – Male — 1 hr 39 min 59 sec
Fastest marathon barefoot – Male – 2 hr 15 min 16.2 sec; Female – 2 hr 29 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon by a linked team – Male — 2 hr 55 min 24 sec
Fastest marathon by a marching band – 6 hr 56 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon carrying a 20-lb pack – Male – 3 hr 12 min 29 sec;
Female — 5 hr 07 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon carrying a 40-lb pack – Male — 3 hr 25 min 21 sec
Fastest marathon carrying a 60-lb pack – Male — 4 hr 39 min 9 sec
Fastest marathon carrying an 80-lb pack – Male — 5 hr 58 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a baby – Male — 2 hr 51 min 18 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a book character – Male — 2 hr 42 min 17 sec;
Female – 3 hr 39 min 49 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a bottle – Male – 3 hr 31 min 57 sec;
Female – 4 hr 54 min 36 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a boxer – Male — 3 hr 35 min 34 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a cartoon character – Male — 2 hr 46 min 40 sec;
Female — 3 hr 28 min 26 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a clown – Male — 2 hr 50 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a commercial brand character
Fastest marathon dressed as a cowboy – Male — 3 hr 09 min 09 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean – Male – 3 hr 55 min 13 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a dairy product – Male — 3 hr 09 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a doctor — Male – 2 hr 53 min 11 sec;
Female – 3 hr 54 min 06 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a fairy – Male — 2 hr 49 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a fruit – Male – 2 hr 58 min 20 sec;
Female – 4 hr 32 min 28 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a gingerbread man — Male — 3 hr 42 min 20 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a golfer – Male – 3 hr 10 min 4 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a jester – Male – 3 hr 1 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a jockey – Male – 3 hr 08 min 30 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a leprechaun – Male – 3 hr 09 min 40 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a lifeguard – Male — 3 hr 00 min 01 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a logo – Male — 3 hr 37 min 14 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a love heart – Male — 3 hr 28 min 21 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a monk – Male — 3 hr 29 min 32 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a Mr. Potato Head – Male – 3 hr 38 min 20 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a nun – Male — 3 hr 17 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a nut – Male – 4 hr 29 min 36 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card — Female — 4 hr 23 min 57 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a postman – Male — 3 hr 47 min 35 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a Roman soldier – Male — 2 hr 57 min
Fastest marathon dressed as a sailor – Male — 2 hr 52 min 32 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a shoe – Female — 4 hr 40 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a star – Male — 4 hr 46 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a sumo wrestler – Male — 3 hr 51 min 54 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a tap/faucet – Male — 3 hr 52 min 09 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a telephone box – Male — 5 hr 54 min 52 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a television character — Male — 2 hr 49 min 51 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a toilet – Male — 2 hr 57 min 28 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a vegetable – Male — 2 hr 59 min 33 sec;
Female — 3 hr 47 min 15 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a videogame character – Male — 3 hr 29 min 41 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a Viking – Male — 3 hr 12 min 11 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a waiter – Male — 2 hr 47 min
Fastest marathon dressed as a zombie – Male — 3 hr 18 min 38 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as an astronaut – Male — 3 hr 08 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as an organ — Male — 3 hr 36 min 42 sec;
Female — 3 hr 52 min 02 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as Elvis – Male — 2 hr 42 min 52 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as Santa Claus – Male — 2 hr 55 min 50 sec;
Female — 3 hr 43 min 20 sec
Fastest marathon dressed in an ice hockey – Male — 4 hr 8 min 43 sec
Fastest marathon dribbling a basketball – Male — 3 hr 23 min 42 sec;
Female — 4 hr 28 min 11 sec
Fastest marathon dribbling a football – Male — 3 hr 29 min 55 sec
Fastest marathon dribbling two basketballs – Male — 4 hr 39 min 12 sec
Fastest marathon flipping a pancake – Male — 3 hr 2 min 27 sec
Fastest marathon in a bomb disposal suit Male — 6 hr 55 min 59 sec
Fastest marathon in a fireman’s uniform – Male — 4 hr 39 min 13 sec
Fastest marathon in a four-person costume — 6 hr 29 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon in a full-body animal costume – Male — 3 hr 31 min 36 sec
Fastest marathon in a lacrosse kit – Male — 3 hr 46 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon in a martial arts suit – Male — 3 hr 21 min 31 sec;
Female – 3 hr 30 min 14 sec
Fastest marathon in a military dress uniform – Male — 3 hr 47 min 14 sec
Fastest marathon in a nurse’s uniform — Male — 2 hr 48 min 24 sec;
Female — 3 hr 13 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon in a police uniform – Male — 3 hr 09 min 52 sec
Fastest marathon in a straitjacket – Male — 3 hr 49 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon in a suit – Male — 2 hr 58 min 03 sec
Fastest marathon in a two-person pantomime costume – Male — 4 hr 49 min 18 sec
Fastest marathon in a wedding dress – Male — 3 hr 00 min 54 sec;
Female — 3 hr 16 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon in an American football kit – Male — 3hr 45 min 30 sec
Fastest marathon in an animal – Male — 2 hr 48 min 29 sec;
Female – 3 hr 18 min 09 sec
Fastest marathon in cricket uniform – Male — 4 hr 16 min 21 sec
Fastest marathon in film character costume – Male — 2 hr 42 min 52 sec;
Female — 3 hr 53 min 40 sec
Fastest marathon in full military uniform – Male — 3 hr 49 min 21 sec;
Female — 4 hr 54 min 15 sec
Fastest marathon in school uniform – Male — 2 hr 50 min 17 sec;
Female — 3 hr 14 min 34 sec
Fastest marathon in scout uniform – Male — 3 hr 44 min 33 sec
Fastest marathon in superhero costume – Male — 2 hr 33 min 58 sec;
Female — 2 hr 48 min 51 sec
Fastest marathon on crutches – Male — 6 hr 24 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon on stilts — Male — 6 hr 50 min 02 sec
Fastest marathon pushing a pram – Male — 2 hr 42 min 21 sec;
Female — 3 hr 31 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon run dressed as a snowman – Male — 3 hr 47 min 39 sec
Fastest marathon running backwards – Male — 3 hr 43 min 39 sec
Fastest marathon running with an egg and spoon – Male — 3 hr 47 min
Fastest marathon skipping – Male — 4 hr 28 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon skipping without a rope – Male –5 hr 55 min 13 sec
Fastest marathon wearing a gas mask – Male — 3 hr 28 min 38 sec
Fastest marathon wearing a wetsuit – Male — 3 hr 25 min 00 sec
Fastest marathon wearing armour – Male — 6 hr 46 min 59 sec
Fastest marathon wearing chainmail (upper body) – Male — 5 hr 49 min 07 sec.
Fastest marathon wearing flip flops – Male — 3 hr 47 min 33 sec

Jul 16 2015
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Running and Family: A Balancing Act

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO July 16th 2015. Digital Champion Jason Guy hails from the East Coast of Canada, St. John’s Newfoundland. He started running in junior high school after his soccer coach suggested he take up cross country. In 2015, he placed second in the Bluenose Half-Marathon, after Olympic Silver Medalist Abel Kirui. Jason credits much of his running success to having a very supportive family who always cheers him on and are very understanding of his 5am wake-up calls during the week! The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will be Jason’s first marathon and he’s looking forward to the challenge. When he’s not running, you can find Jason playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, and spending time with this wife and two young children. Connect with Jason on Twitter and Strava.

Running and Family: A Balancing Act. By Jason Guy. 

I’ve been running off and on most of my life, but I’ve only Jason Guy Blog 2become consistent over the last number of years. I come from a family of athletic people, and when I first started running, it was easy and I was good at it, so I didn’t take it seriously enough. Ever since I graduated from college I look at running more as a mental exercise than physical, and I need to stay focused to get better, and run longer. I use to wonder if it was working, but it really wasn’t until my children came around that I knew I was succeeding.

Everyone who has ever worked out or practiced any sport knows that you need to get into a routine to see any improvements, and at first it’s easy to make excuses. Here I was faced with the easiest excuse I could ever have at this point in my life; a baby. If ever there was a multitude of reasons not to do something, a baby is the ultimate. I can’t run today, my son is sick; I can’t run today, my son was up all night fussy, and on and on.

I pushed through, I changed my routine, and kept running, making sure not to trouble the upbringing of our son. When we had our second child two years ago, my routine needed to change again, and I had even less time to do things for myself. Every parent knows, the first thing that is given up when raising children is personal time. Once again my routine was changed, and events were combined, and certain things were given up, but not running.

Strangely I have been able to run more since our second child was born, but it really isn’t that strange when you take into account that most of my runs start at 5am when everyone else is asleep. Being in a relationship makes you learn to compromise, and becoming a parent forces you to put others before you, no matter what. I run at 5am so that I can eat breakfast with my children, and pick them up at the end of the day and have supper with them. My Sunday long run could happen at 6am, 8am, 8pm, I never know until Saturday, due to being a parent. I’ve wanted to be a parent for a long time, and I always want to be there for my wife and children and experience everything they do.

Running is a mental exercise, even more so Jason blogwhen you have to schedule around the lives of two young children (ages 5 and 2). I love running, but I love my family more, and everything is sacrificed for them. I only hope that my dedication to running inspires my children to follow me as they get older and start being active. I remember reading somewhere that it’s hard for a parent to admit when their child(ren) are better than them at something, and as a competitive person I both fear and wait in excitement for that day, because I know I have helped mold them into the person they are and will become through running.

Running takes physical and mental strength, but most importantly, you need dedication and the heart to push through when it’s hard and keep going to get the reward. If I can instill that attitude into my children, then I’ll know I can call myself a great parent.

Jul 15 2015
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TO2015 Pan Am Women’s Marathon Start List (Unofficial).

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TORONTO July 15th 2015. 17 athletes are set to toe the Start Line for Saturday’s Women’s Marathon at Pan Am Toronto 2015. CRS stars Rachel Hannah and Catherine Watkins will face tough competition from Peruvians Ines Melchor and Gladys Tejeda.

Here is the complete (unofficial) Start List for Saturday morning’s Pan Am Women’s Marathon. There are a total of 17 women, with Peru’s Melchor and Tejeda as the obvious standouts — they are the only ones with sub-2:30 qualifying times and PBs. In fact, the only ones sub-2:32.

CRS stars Rachel Hannah and Catherine Watkins also need to battle strong Americans, Lindsay Flanagan and Sarah Cummings, and Mexico’s Vianey De La Rosa for a podium spot.

The Pan Am women’s champion from Guadalajara 2011, Adriana Aparecida Da Silva of Brazil, will also be on the Start line at Ontario Place West, 7am on Saturday to defend her title.

Join Toronto’s Run Crew CHEER SITES this Saturday July 18th to cheer on Rachel and Catherine! Full details here.

Name Country PB Qualifying Time
Adriana Aparecida Da Silva BRA 02:29:17 02:35:28
Marily Dos Santos BRA 02:31:55 02:37:25
Rachel Hannah CAN 02:33:30 02:33:30
Catherine Watkins CAN 02:42:35 02:44:59
Erika Olivera CHI 02:32:23 02:36:08
Natalia Romero CHI 02:34:55  
Leidy Tobon COL 02:41:20 2:41:20
Dailin Belmonte CUB 02:38:08 02:42:01
Rosa Chacha ECU 02:35:29 02:35:29
Vianey De La Rosa MEX 02:32:01 02:32:01
Margarita Hernandez MEX 02:41:16 02:41:16
Carmen Patricia Martinez PAR 02:36:01 02:36:01
Ines Melchor PER 02:26:48 02:26:48
Gladys Tejeda PER 02:28:12 02:28:12
Sarah Cummings USA 02:34:47 02:34:47
Lindsay Flanagan USA 02:33:12 02:33:32
Zuleima Amaya VEN 02:42:27 02:42:27
Jul 09 2015
0

Lesson From My Running Family

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TORONTO July 9th 2015. Digital Champion Amy Friel comes from a family of distance runners. Her Grandpa, Jack Friel, won the Toronto Police Games Marathon in 1977 in an impressive time of 2:26:11. Last October, Amy had the privilege of carrying his legacy across the finish line at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. On October 18th, she’s returning with the goal of a Boston-qualifying time! When she’s not running, Amy is on “the last 2.2k” of her Political Science degree and can also be found painting. Connect with Amy on Twitter and Instagram.
Lessons from my Running Family. By Amy Friel 

JackFriel

Sometimes I talk to people about running, and sometimes, depending on who I’m talking to, people will tell me that I’m fast. This always strikes me as funny, because compared most of the runners in my life, I’m actually quite slow.

I have what you’d call a “fast family”. My parents actually met at a cross-country race. My grandpa (pictured on the right) won the Toronto Police Games Marathon in 1977. My dad represented Canada at the World Masters Track and Field Championships in 2003. And my big sister, who I’ve been running after most of my life, ran as an NCAA scholarship athlete. She’s run two consecutive Boston Marathons, and shows no sign of slowing down.
And then there’s my roommate. If you happened to be a spectator at the Canada Running Series half-marathon in Montreal this past April, you might have noticed a tiny, adorable brunette with the voice of a cartoon squirrel whizz across the finish line to capture fourth place.
DadAndAmyThe runners in my life have taught me a lot of lessons, from the importance of finding an apartment with adequate shoe storage, to the true meaning of finding your “sole mate”. (Brooks Ravennas, I’m looking at you!)
Our sport is unique, because distance running makes room for everyone. We welcome every age, body type, and level of ability, and what we celebrate isn’t the victory of one runner over another, but the victory of one runner over all the things they once felt they could never do. That’s the one thing that seems to be constant across all runners, from my speedy family and friends to those just starting out.
Because what makes a great runner isn’t body type, or height-to-weight ratio, or lung capacity, or physical strength. What makes a real runner great is courage. The marathon is a gruelling race, but what it tests isn’t really your speed, strength, or endurance. What the marathon really is, is a test of your existential courage; it’s a great big, fearless celebration of human tenacity. Because at the 35K mark, alone in the face of bitter cold winds and heavy fatigue, far from friends, family, or a phone, quitting just isn’t an option. The marathon teaches you that if you’re going through hell, you keep going.
Jul 07 2015
0

On your mark, get set, fundraise for the 2015 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Charity Challenge!

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Runners set to raise millions for 173 local charities this fall.

Toronto, Ontario – (Marketwired – July 8, 2015) – Over 27,000 runners will hit the streets of Toronto on October 18 for the 26th annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM), Half-marathon & 5k. Many will be raising funds for 173 mostly local Official Charities in the 2015 Scotiabank Charity Challenge, including three featured charities:

  • Autism Ontario
  • Ontario Shores Foundation for Mental Health
  • Romero House

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be the National Charity Partner.

For a complete list of 2015 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon website.

Since the introduction of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to Canada in the 2003 Toronto Waterfront event, the fundraising initiative has raised almost $25 million for hundreds of charities in the Toronto area. The participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees. Given its resounding success in Toronto, the program has been expanded nationally in recent years. So far in 2015, $4.4 million has been raised for hundreds of Scotiabank Charity Challenge official charities across Canada in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Halifax.

“The success of the STWM Scotiabank Charity Challenge is due to the tremendous support from the City of Toronto, the thousands of runners, and the energy of the 173 charities involved,” said Rob Mattacott, District Vice-President, Toronto Centre District at Scotiabank.” The IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has become one of Canada’s finest road races and its Charity Challenge fundraising has grown from $198,000 in 2003 to $3.67 million in 2014.”

“The enthusiasm and dedication toward giving back to the community demonstrated by the Scotiabank Charity Challenge participants is what makes race day extra special,” said Alan Brookes, Canada Running Series Race Director. “From dressing up in crazy costumes to chasing Guinness World Records, and running the race three times in one day, the determination, creativity and spirit we see on the course is what makes the Charity Challenge so unique.”

Please visit the website at www.STWM.ca for more information.

Part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a friendly competition between the charities for $33,000 in cash prizes consisting of $6,000 for 1st place, $3,000 for 2nd, and $2,000 for 3rd in the following categories:

  • The Official Charity that has the most fundraising participants.
  • The Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars.
  • The Official Charity that raises the largest amount of pledge dollars per fundraising

How to get involved!

  • Register for an event: Register for one of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon events (Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5k) on the event website www.stwm.ca
  • Fundraise: Once registered, you can sign up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and raise funds for a participating official charity or donate directly to their cause.
  • Donate: Visit the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to select an Official Charity and make a one-time donation.
  • Cheer: Come out and support friends and family along the race route and as they cross the finish line. You can also show your support to runners online by using the hashtags #STWM and #runScotia.

About Scotiabank

Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $837 billion (as at April 30, 2015), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.

About the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

An IAAF Gold Label race, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier, big-city running event, and the Grand Finale of the 8-race Canada Running Series. In 2014, it attracted more than 26,000 participants from 60 countries, raised $3.67 million for 173 charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, and contributed an estimated $35 million to the local economy. In 2014, it also became the first marathon to be livestreamed globally on YouTube, attracting viewers from 115 countries. In 2015, it will host the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships and the international Bridge The Gap movement www.STWM.ca.

– 30 –

For media enquiries only:

Joanna Hatt
Narrative PR
(416) 922-2211 x3349
(416) 557-5333
Joanna.Hatt@Narrative.ca

 

 

Jul 06 2015
0

Alan’s Journal: One Series. One Country. One Community. One Family. One Love.

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TORONTO July 6th 2015.

Hey fellow runners;

4CatsA big THANKS to everyone who made the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k weekend such a great experience! One of the most enjoyable things for me, was to see the way the race is building out into more of a long-weekend-experience, and bringing together our community from across Canada. Our #ScotiaHalf Digital Champions, our 83 official charities and SO many of you have been lighting up our CRS Social Hub, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for weeks, and it all reached a fine crescendo over the June 26th-28th weekend. Our 2-day mini-Expo was the best so far, and East Van Run Crew leader Ryan Chilibeck, aka @meatysauce, got us up and running in style on the Saturday morning with a Shake-Out Run and beer tasting at Red Truck Brewery. Check out the photos here.

The race itself was HOT, in all senses of the word. Under bright, sunny skies and 20 to 25c temperatures that felt HOT, 4,500 runners from 29 countries charged down from UBC to Stanley Park. Another 2,150 met them in the park and ran the 5K. The main bout was the #BettyandVeronica show in the 21K, Round 5, with Veronica [Lanni Marchant] taking an impressive “W” over hometown bestie Betty [Natasha Wodak], 71:08 to 72:31. Natasha also added to a great atmosphere by running to raise funds for VOKRA cat rescue, and toeing the line complete with cat-woman face paint! It was humorously billed as “Catfight in Vancouver”! The Men’s race also featured some of Canada’s very best, with Reid Coolsaet [65:40] putting on a show, to overpower dust Matt Loiselle and Sami Jibril in the heat. Read our full race report.

NickRyanBillThe weekend of Canadian running celebrations continued on Sunday and Monday evenings. On Sunday, Lanni, Natasha, Matt, Sami, and Kevin “SuperK” O’Connor were able to join our CRS crew in Gastown for a fabulous, post-race dinner. It was a great mix of athletes and organizers, and underscored how much we are all one big family, one community together. Then Monday night, Jenna, Inge and I, plus Toronto’s Bill Chaupiz from Night Terrors Run Crew and Nick Mizera from Pace and Mind, all joined Ryan and the East Van Run Crew for a beautiful recovery run in their ‘hood, including scenic Trout Lake. It was great to see the #ScotiaHalf bringing together our Toronto and Vancouver communities! Thanks for the bike loan John, and great to catch up with Leslie again – sorry I haven’t been out regularly!

It was also special to see JP Bedard among the hundreds of CRS visitors to #ScotiaHalf from across the country. If you haven’t read Paul Gains’ feature on JP, @runJPrun and his remarkable story, plus his crusade to build awareness for childhood sexual abuse, it’s a DON’T MISS! He’s now back in Toronto racking up 200 kilometres a week in preparation for his TRIPLE Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon! That’s right – not a miss-print! If we think 42.195 km is a challenge, JP will be doing the course 3 times, back-to-back-to-back on October 18th. 126.585 kilometres. One day. Indeed, we have such remarkable people in our community! Read the story, and make sure you join us in October.

As well as STWM preparations, July in Toronto 11694060_10102271365233241_153510771_nfor our CRS team is all about the Pan Am Games, where most of us will be involved in the Pan Am Marathons and Race Walks. We hope you’ll join in, especially for #PANAMARATHON on the 18th and 25th, to cheer on CRS stars Rachel Hannah and Catherine Watkins [ July 18th] and Kip Kangogo and Rob Watson [ July 25th]. On the track at York, there’ll be the #BettyandVeronica Show part 6, and SO many of our other CRS stars and friends. Four of our Toronto run crews – Parkdale Roadrunners (pictured at right), Tribe Fitness, Pace and Mind and Night Terrors Run Crew will be hosting CHEER SITES on the marathon course on both dates. I’ve written a separate blog on this with all the deets, schedules, including athletes’ Twitter and Instagram handles so we can stay connected and be part of a shared experience. I know there’s been lots of grumbling about the Games – mostly traffic related – but at the end of the day this is our city, our Games, and our friends racing for Canada. They deserve and NEED our cheers! Let’s show them how much we care; how rightly proud we are of them and of our great city, and make a home-turf difference. Go CANADA!

Gotta run! I’m doing a leg of the Pan Am Torch Relay tonight!

Looking forward to seeing 800 of you on Sunday at Beaches Jazz Training Run for STWM,

Alan

Ps. Let’s stay connected on social media! Twitter & Instagram @alnbrookes.

Jul 06 2015
0

Lessons Learned After Running 23 Marathons

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon | No Comments

TORONTO July 6th 2015. Digital Champion David Daze is very excited to be running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 18th. He started running marathons in 2001 at the age of 40 and #STWM will be his 24th marathon! David’s most memorable running accomplishment was qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon in 2006 and 2007. When he’s not running, David is a full time elementary school teacher and basketball coach. Connect with David on Twitter and Instagram.

Lessons Learned after Running 23 Marathons. By David Daze. David Finish Line

1. You cannot get into marathon shape quickly. Be mindful of your mileage as the training weeks progress, because ramping up too quickly will possibly lead to an injury.  Listen to your body and be sure to build in rest days to your training program.

2. Have your gear ready to go and your pre-race logistics figured out in advance of the big day. My hat, shirt with bib, shorts, socks, shoes, watch, and gels are all laid out the night before the marathon.  When race morning comes, I know what I am having for breakfast, how I’m getting to the start line, where I am going to park, and what my warm-up ritual will be.  No stress, no worries.  Just think about the run.

3. When the gun goes off don’t be in a hurry. Ease into the race and let the road come to you.  Running with a pace bunny, at least in the early stages of the race, is a good way to keep it under control and not let yourself get caught up in the early excitement of the marathon.

4. The halfway point of a marathon is the 32km mark.   The last 10 km is when it gets real and it gets tough.  So get your weekly training long runs in because they are important.  I don’t know where I first saw this quote but for me it describes the marathon perfectly: “A marathon is 20 miles of hope and 6 miles of truth.”

5. A little inspiration can go a long way. I always write the names of my wife and two daughters on my arm before each marathon.  Whatever motivates you, keep it in mind when you are making the final push to the finish line.

6. Smile when you cross the finish line and celebrate your race! No matter what place you come in, running a marathon is an accomplishment to be proud of.  Congratulate your fellow runners, thank the volunteers as you make your way through the recovery area, and wear that medal proudly because you are a marathoner!

 

Jul 06 2015
0

Let’s make the Pan Am marathons ROCK! Canada Running Series stars; Toronto Run Crew Cheer sites.

By | Uncategorised | No Comments

TORONTO. July 6th 2015. We’re having not one but two once-in-lifetime run parties, on July 18th and July 25th and we’re ALL invited! The 2015 Pan Am Games is coming to OUR city: your Canada Running Series team will be working as key volunteers for the Women’s Marathon on Saturday 18th, and the Men’s Marathon the following Saturday the 25th. OK, so it’s early, both 7am starts, but we’re used to running early aren’t we?! AND the two Championship races feature 4 of our CRS stars that you all know so well!

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Our current CRS Women’s Champion @RachelHannahRD, Rachel Hannah and the fabulous @runmommaster, Catherine Watkins will be first up to rep the Maple Leaf; @KipKangogo, Kip Kangogo [4x winner of the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon; winner of the Toronto Yonge Street 10k and CRS Men’s Overall Champion in 2013] and @robbiedxc, Rob Watson [2:13:29 PB at STWM 2013 ] will take on the best of the Americas men on the 25th. We run with these peeps almost every month in Canada Running Series races. They’re our running friends and family. Now they’re putting it all on the line for Canada. THEY NEED OUR CHEERS!

There are TWO great options for you to join the Pan Am Marathon action on July 18th and 25th: 

1. There are still some Grandstand seats available for purchase from Toronto 2015, to put you right at the Start & Finish line with us. Purchase tickets here. [See Marathons on July 18th and 25th].

2. FOUR of our awesome Toronto run crews have stepped up to host 4 on-course CHEER SITES. EVERYONE is invited! You can join them for free, and show Canada and the world how Toronto rocks! It’s a unique opportunity to get to know your fellow-Toronto runners; and your cheers, your signs, your energy WILL make a difference, especially to Rachel, Catherine, Kip and Robbie. Any more fun and it would be illegal – guaranteed! Here’s where you can CHEER:

Night Terrors Run Crew

Pan Am NTRC

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Lakeshore and Jameson (South side)
Connect: @nightterrorsrun, @nightterrorsrun

Pace and Mind

Pan Am P&M Cheer Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: The Queensway and Parkside Drive (West side)
Connect: @paceandmind, @paceandmind

Parkdale Roadrunners

PanAM Parkdale Cheer Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Lakeshore, right in front of Palais Royale (North side)
Connect: @Parkdale_RR, @parkdaleroadrunners

Tribe Fitness

Pan Am Tribe Cheer Site

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: High Park (South-West corner of Centre Rd. and Spring Rd.)
Connect: @Tribe_Fitness, @Tribe_Fitness

Here’s the link to the PanAm Marathon course

The marathon course starts and finishes at Ontario Place. 270_AC_TYS10K13_0162It’s a tough one! Run a 2.195km initial loop, then 4 x 10km loops along Lakeshore West [the western half of Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon course], into High Park and back, including the Centre Road Hill we all know and LOVE from the 3km mark of Harry’s Spring Run Off 8K.

This means that if you’re at one of the Crew Cheer Sites, you’ll see the runners 8 times.  Are you ready? While our CRS team are working furiously on the final details of water stations and drinks bottles, timing, bib number allocations, marshalling and anti-doping, YOU can start on your race-day signs, banners, balloons, costumes, drums, noise-makers, cow-bells, tunes and more!

Let’s get ready… set, GO CANADA GO! July 18th and 25th. We can do it, TOGETHER!

There are other great opportunities to cheer on our other Canada Running stars on the track at York University, in the week in between the two marathons.

“Running in my home city, it’s a dream come true. And something that most athletes never get to do…  Slowly but surely I’ve been sharing this awesome news with my friends and family. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey. It is just starting and I am so excited for what is to come.” – Sasha Gollish, W1500m.

LANNI MARCHANT & NATASHA WODAK in the Women’s 10,000m final with very real podium chances if we cheer loud enough! It’s the 2015 #BettyandVeronica Show part 6!

ALEX GENEST, who comes to lots of our Toronto Yonge Street 10K and STWM Tune Up runs, representing Speed River TFC, will be in the 3000m steeplechase along with Oshawa’s Matt Hughes.

GEN LALONDE of Speed River, who we’ve also run with in the CRS Tune Up training runs, in the Women’s 3000m steeple.

LUCAS BRUCHET from the BC Endurance Project [like Natasha W and Catherine], who was 4th at MODO Vancouver Spring Run Off 8k in March, plus the awesome CAM LEVINS, pride of Black Creek, in the Men’s 5000m.

NATASHA LABEAUD [2014 Vancouver Eastside Champion] along with Winnipeg’s JESS O’CONNELL in the Women’s 5000m

AARON HENDRIKX, another of our friends from U of Guelph & Speed River TFC, plus MO AHMED, pride of St.Catharine’s, in the Men’s 10,000m

SASHA GOLLISH of University of Toronto Track Club and NICOLE SIFUENTES in the Women’s 1500m

There are just SOOOOO many of our running friends to cheer for, and they need our Canada Running Series family to provide a home-field advantage!

Click here for a complete list of our Athletics Canada’s TEAM CANADA. 

Click here for a complete SCHEDULE at the York University track. 

Click here to purchase tickets. 

If you’re not able to get to all the track events, our very own scribe, PAUL GAINS, will be part of the CBC team in their coverage, so no need to miss a step. See CBC Pan Am page http://panam.cbc.ca/

Share the Games, the journey and the races directly with our CRS STARS via social media:

Name Event Date (July) Twitter Instagram
Rachel Hannah Marathon 18th @rachelhannahRD x
Catherine Watkins Marathon 18th @runmommaster @runmommaster
Kip Kangogo Marathon 25th @kipkangogo x
Rob Watson Marathon 25th @robbiedxc @rwatson26point2
Lanni Marchant W10,000m 23rd @ljm5252 @lannimarchant
Natasha Wodak W10,000m 23rd @tasha_wodak @nwodakruns
Natasha LaBeaud W5000m 21st @tashyrunner @teamanzures
Jess O’Connell W5000m 21st @jess__oconnell @jessmoconnell
Aaron Hendrikx M10,000m 21st @aaronhendrikx @aaronhendrikx
Mo Ahmed M10,000m 21st @Moh_Speed X
Lucas Bruchet M5000m 25th @lucabruca @lucabruca
Cam Levins M5000m 25th @CamLevins @camlevins
Alex Genest M3000sc 21st @papaG_steeple @papag_steeple
Matt Hughes M3000sc 21st @HugheSteeple @hughesteeple
Gen Lalonde W3000sc 24th @lalongen
Sasha Gollish W1500m 25th @SGollishRuns @sgollishruns
Nicole Sifuentes W1500m 25th @ndsifuentes @ndsifuentes

 

 

 

Jul 02 2015
0

Injuries: What do you do when it happens to you?

By | Digital Champions | No Comments

TORONTO July 2nd 2015. Digital Champion Jess Collins began running as a way to complement her strength training workouts.  In 2011, she decided to challenge herself to run the Terry Fox Run (something she’d long wanted to do) as she was getting over a breakup, in order to focus her energy on a positive goal and raise money to fight cancer. She got hooked on running, and completed her first timed 10K race in March 2012. Jess’ most memorable running accomplishment was her first marathon in October 2014, at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. When she’s not running, you can find Jess baking (a lot!) and brewing beer! Connect with Jess on Twitter and Instagram.

Injuries: What do you do when it happens to you? By Jess Collins.

IMG_9990Like most runners, I’ve experienced some relatively minor injuries before (such as plantar fasciitis), but I’ve usually been back pretty soon, after some treatment. But this spring – one week before the Toronto Yonge Street 10K, and less than half an hour into what I’d hoped would be my first 25K run in several months, a twinge on the top of my foot quickly turned into a sharp pain with every step, forcing me to hail a cab home. When the pain didn’t subside, I sought out a sports medicine doctor, and a bone scan ultimately revealed a stress fracture – probably two of the most dreaded words a runner can hear, since it requires 6-12 weeks off running.

There’s no denying that being injured (especially an injury that requires you to abstain completely from running) is challenging – physically, emotionally, and socially.

Physically, I was fortunate that I was able to cycle, as long as I heeded my doctor’s orders not to put extra weight on my foot by standing on my pedals. While they kept me reasonably active, spinning workouts just didn’t give me the same satisfaction as running outdoors. Spinning became fairly dull, and my motivation waned, despite knowing it was helping keep up my fitness.

I escaped the gym with outdoor bike rides; the next best thing to spending hours outside running is spending hours outside cycling. Missing the thrill of chasing PBs in races, I unconsciously began creating new challenges. The first time I was able to cycle up the notorious Poplar Plains hill on my single-speed bike without standing up on my pedals felt like a victory (one I’d never before achieved even when not injured)!

Emotionally, I put some of the blame on myself and thought of all kinds of ways I might have avoided this (Did I stretch enough? Did I increase my mileage too quickly after my minor injury in the winter? Was I wearing the right shoes? etc). More importantly, I’ve felt shut out from an activity I love – one which helps me manage stress, and which gives me a sense of identity. If you think of yourself as a runner, as I do, who are you when you can’t run?

IMG_9829Socially, I also felt distanced from my friends and teammates. I train with Pace & Mind, a phenomenal group of people, many of whom I am lucky to consider good friends. Without being able to run, I missed the social interaction and support of Thursday and Sunday group workouts. My “cowbell” got a lot of use this spring as I cheered for friends and teammates. But, it was tough to repeatedly show up and be positive and enthusiastic when I desperately just wanted to run these races myself. I joined in for some get-togethers, but – although most likely my teammates didn’t feel this way! – I worried that my presence was a bummer, a reminder that they, too, could lose the ability to run.

It’s been 10 weeks of uncertainty and waiting – for an appointment with a specialist, for test results – and it was hard to envision that this time would eventually end. As the doctor-approved ‘Begin Running Again Day’ approached, I felt phantom pains and anxiety that I’d immediately re-injure myself. But I finally laced up my running shoes and ran/walked 1km. It is incredibly humbling to think that about 8 months ago, I completed a full marathon, but was elated to get through a single kilometre. Afterwards, I cried out of a mixture of joy and relief from built-up frustration and emotion.

Now that I’ve (slowly, cautiously) started running again, I’m having my running form and weaknesses professionally assessed, so I can reduce the chances of future injury. I’m trying to trust that my body has healed, and I’m working on getting mentally re-focused on training for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, assuming my body cooperates!

Having had a lot of time to think about it over the last 10 weeks, here’s what I’d recommend to someone else taking time off from running after an injury:

  • Listen to your health care professionals’ guidance, as well as your own body. There’s no point rushing back to running if your body isn’t ready.
  • Don’t punish yourself mentally for what you might have done differently, but do consider how to address the cause and avoid future injury. Focus on improving strength and flexibility so you come back as strong as possible.
  • Find and set new little challenges in whatever physical activities you’re able to do, to keep yourself motivated.
  • Show yourself some kindness. Accept that it’s frustrating and upsetting, and cut yourself a little slack. Treat yourself (I bought some cute, comfy sneakers to wear while recovering, but now I’ll always associate these sneakers with injury!).
  • Try to find ways to enjoy the “break”  from running, by spending time doing other activities you don’t always make time for during training (I immersed myself in a baking class!).
  • Stay connected to running friends – they appreciate your support, and will continue to support you as your recover and return to running.

Running has been a source of ambivalence for several months – I’ve desperately wanted to run, while knowing that running itself caused much pain and frustration. But recently a friend/teammate reminded me of the sheer joy and camaraderie I’d felt after a few members of our team had run 15K worth of parking lot laps in the wee hours of the morning before the Canada Running Series’ Oasis Zoo Run last September. He told me that eventually, I was sure to feel that enthusiasm and love of running again.

It’s been a tough time without running, but the anticipation of feeling that pure joy of running soon has gotten me through this.