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Scotiabank Vancouver Half

Jun 10 2017
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Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k – Elite Field

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Scotia HalfIntroducing our Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k Elite Field.

Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Male Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
1 Kangogo Kip Lethbridge AB
2 Toth Thomas Plaistow NH
3 Wykes Dylan Vancouver BC
4 Martinson Geoffrey Vancouver BC
5 Woodfine Tristan Guelph ON
6 Kimosop Willy Lethbridge AB
7 Kasia Dancan Toronto ON
11 Bascal Shoayb Victoria BC
12 Gomez Inaki Vancouver BC
13 Browne Nicholas Vancouver BC
14 Blazey Paul Norwich UK
15 Mulverhill Chris Vancouver BC
16 Dunfee Evan Richmond BC
17 Nicholson Drew Surrey BC
21 Ziak Jeremiah Vancouver BC
22 McMillan Craig North Vancouver BC
23 Hatachi Tatsuya Coquitlam BC
24 Fieldwalker Matt Vancouver BC
25 Newby James Squamish BC
26 Portman Bryan Nanaimo BC
Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Female Elite Athletes  
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
F2 Pidhoresky Dayna Vancouver BC
F4 Tessier Lyndsay Toronto ON
F5 Wilkie Sabrina Vancouver BC
F6 Olsen Courtney Bellingham WA
F7 Coll Neasa Vancouver BC
F11 Moroz Jen Vancouver BC
F13 Lewis-Schneider Meg Vancouver BC
F14 Smart Kristin Cobble Hill BC
F15 Pepin Cheryl North Vancouver BC
F16 Dale Shannon North Vancouver BC
F17 Longridge Corri Vancouver BC
F18 Moore Katherine Vancouver BC
F22 Kassel Melanie Chilliwack BC
F23 Montgomery Darcie North Vancouver BC
Scotiabank Vancouver 5km Elite Athletes    
  Bib # Last Name First Name City Prov.
5002 Wilkie Mark Vancouver BC
5003 Watkins Catherine Vancouver BC
5004 Gustafson Kate Vancouver BC
Jun 02 2017
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Course Tips from the Front

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Some of the top athletes share their insider info on the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon course.

Catherine Watkins:

Scotia Half is a fun scenic net downhill run but don’t let that deceive you into thinking it’s an easy course. You can definitely have a fast time on the course but it is important that you remain patient for the first 15k and don’t get carried away. The long downhill from UBC can take it’s toll on your legs if you go out too fast and that can make the final climb up Burrard Bridge a long slog if your legs aren’t feeling good. This is a course where you want to be able to pick things up after the Burrard climb and feel strong on the downhill towards the finish.

Melanie Kassel:

I always warn first timers not to get sucked into hammering down that lovely hill early on in the race in order to bank a few seconds – whatever time gains are made at that point are invariably lost (plus some!) when your quads go on strike in the latter stages of the race. Enjoy a nice downhill coast but don’t shoot yourself in the foot!

Katherine Moore:

I have run a negative split on this course and my PB. With the downhills in the first half, on this course it is easy to get caught up with running too fast in the beginning. If you hold back a bit in the beginning you hopefully feel good at 10k to feel strong for the second half which has some uphill, the Burrard Bridge, and at this time of year it can start getting hot.

Dayna Pidhoresky:

So this will be my first time running Scotia Half, hence, I am looking forward to reading the tips of others!  In the past I know it has been quite hot so I think taking full advantage of the water stations from the get-go would be advantageous in the latter stages of the race.

Rika/Tatsuya Hatachi:

I try to break down 21.097km to several ‘sections’.  When I actually run the race, I try to clear them one by one, so that I won’t feel the entire course is too long.

  • From start until the ‘turnaround’ on Marine Drive (approx. 3km point): nice & easy on slight and almost unnoticeable downhill.  You can grab your good rhythm here, but do not overrate your easy feeling at this point.  Do not rocket-start or speed up. Keep the pace steady and save your energy as much as possible.
  • After ‘turnaround’ ~before long downhill to Jericho: You may start feeling ‘tired’ suddenly and already! But it’s natural to feel heavy after the slight downhill  and it’s a little bit going up.  If you are challenging and aiming for PB, expect that you may feel heavy on your legs here but you will recover later for sure. So don’t worry.
  • Downhill to Jericho: One of the feature points of this course.  Some runners like trying to keep your pace ‘down’ on downhill to reduce the impact, while other runners like ‘running like flying down’ the hill.  Believe it depends on how you’ve been training on downhill.  If you are not well-trained/prepared for this downhill, you may end up paying back later on if you go aggressive on the downhill (even for ½ marathon distance), so be careful. But if you are confident in training downhill, this is where you can save some time here for PB, so go for it!
  • After the downhill ~ Burrard Bridge: ‘Flat’ road after the downhill will definitely feel like ‘uphill’.  Small updowns and turning lots of corners just before Burrard Bridge may drag you down, but, try to think that it is ‘natural’ to feel ‘heavy’ or ‘slow’ right after the long downhill, and the half-point has passed .  Anticipate, be prepared and plan for the fatigue you will get in the second half of any race.  Re-fuel yourself constantly to maintain steady performance.
    Try to recover and get your body used to the running on ‘flat’ road.
  • Burrard Bridge: Much harder and longer than crossing it by driving, of course.
    However, be positive by thinking that the mild downhill is waiting for you toward the end of the bridge, plus, it would only be about 2km left after crossing this bridge.
    Prepare for the ‘last spurt’ after reaching the top of this bridge.
  • Pacific Blvd to the Stanley Park Finish line:  Nice and slight downhill where you can go for the last spurt! Lots of cheering crowd on both sides of Pacific Blvd will help you all the way to the Finish Line! Enjoy your moment!
Kip Kangogo:

The best course with wonderful volunteers and great cheering crowds and don’t underestimate Burrard Bridge as things can get interesting there.

Dylan Wykes:

10-15k is the toughest part of this course in my mind.  Everyone expects to come off the big hill from UBC to Spanish banks and just be able to keep rolling.  It hasn’t worked that way for me.  Expect to need a kilometre to get your groove again after the downhill.  Don’t underestimate the hill around Jericho Park.  It stings big time.  If you can stay mentally strong through this part of the course, you’ll set yourself up for a good last 6k.

Chris Mulverhill:

If you have time, I recommend running or walking parts of the course that you aren’t familiar with or that you are curious about. It’s better to know how steep a hill is or how far it seems between points before you’re many kilometers deep on the pain train.

Whether it’s your first half or your 50th, have fun. There are very few opportunities where you get to take to the streets of a beautiful part of a beautiful city with thousands of people without being considered a riot. Make the most of it.

Craig McMillan:

I have run this quite a few times before. My main point about this course would be that most people forget how much uphill / rollers there are. 3-7km are all slightly uphill and the rolling terrain after Spanish banks to Burrard Bridge can take it out of you if you went too hard in the first half. Overall, a fast and great race.

A full course description can be found here or check out the course preview video. See you on June 25 at #ScotiaHalf!

May 23 2017
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Course Preview – Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon 2017

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Our friend and Asics athlete Justin Kent did a quick course preview run of the 2017 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon course a few weeks back. Check out some videos of the preview run along with photos from last year’s race!

You can find more course info on the Half-Marathon as well as the 5k here. Looking forward to having you join us this June!

 

May 15 2017
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The Ins and Outs of Mid-Run Fueling

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As the distances increase in both training and racing, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of fueling on the run.  The advancements in sports nutrition have helped create the number of products available to help fuel our working muscles mid-run.  Every runner handles fuel differently, from the amount they can consume, to the type of product, to the flavour that sits best in their gut.  It’s all about trial and error, mixed with the science of what one’s “optimal” fueling strategy is.

There is a myriad of choices for running fuel.  With every flavour imaginable, runners can choose from a variety of energy gels, chews, drinks, and everyday foods to help them on the run.  By ingesting some form of carbohydrate, the primary fuel source for working muscles, it helps to replenish depleted glycogen/calories while on the move.  There is a limited amount of stored carbohydrates in our muscles, even after carb-loading effectively.  Companies that specialize in fueling such as PowerBar, have invested an inordinate amount of time and research into developing products that can equip an athlete with the resources that they need in training and races.  Creating products such as endurance fuel like PowerGels and Gel Blast chews, to pre-workout energy bars, and post-workout protein bars, there’s a product that can help to refuel your working muscles at any point of your training.

Due to the lag in absorption time, it’s not as simple as taking a gel and having it instantly fuel and replenish fatiguing muscles.  It takes a bit of time to be digested, absorbed into the blood stream, then delivered to your muscles, so the timing of fuel intake is crucial.  Our brains are fueled by glucose in the blood, so when we ingest a gel, we give our brain an “instant” boost to clear any haziness that occurs when our stores are low.

The frequency at which we can take gels is very individual and depends primarily on our stomach’s reaction to the ingested sugars.  When racing, the body is working hard to sustain your exertion, so it diverts blood away from the digestive system as your working muscles need it more.  By taking gels early in the race before you really need them, you will allow the stomach to digest and transport the glucose to your muscles before it rebels completely.  Most products suggest taking a gel every 45-60 mins during exercise.  Avoid taking more than one gel at a time as it can spike your blood glucose and leave you feeling sick from too much sugar.

Throughout your training, try to practice a fueling strategy as often as possible.  The stomach/digestive tract, just like any other muscle in your body, can be trained.  The more often you use gels and force your stomach to handle the digestion and distribution of sugar while on the run, the less likely it’ll be that you have GI distress come race day.

Other important notes:

  • Always have water with your gels/chews/etc.  It will help dilute the sugar enough to make it easier for the gut to digest and absorb into your system.
  • Prone to stomach problems? Instead of taking a full gel every 45-60 mins, try taking a 1/4 of a gel every 20 mins instead.
  • Using natural food works too.  Use homemade staples like dried fruit, baby food pouches, gummy candies, or honey.
  • Can’t eat and run?  Opt for a sports drink: something like Gatorade is great, just be sure to have the proper ratio of glucose/fructose and some electrolytes to keep everything balanced.

Win a PowerBar prize pack!

If you’re running the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon on June 25, there will be stations with water and Gatorade located every 2-3km along the course, as well as a PowerGel station at approximately 13km.

Want to win some PowerBar product this week? Tag one of your friends in our Facebook or Instagram posts and you’ll be entered to win a race entry for each of you into the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and a PowerBar prize package! The draw will take place on May 19th.

Apr 21 2017
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#ScotiaHalf 2017 Charity Profiles – Family Places

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Throughout the Lower Mainland, there are many Family Places that offer support, resources, and programs for families with young children who are under 6 years old.  Family Places provide help to young families to ensure their children are raised in a healthy and happy environment.  Not only do these places assist parents and caretakers with the necessary resources and activities to promote the child’s development, they  have drop-in and learning programs for the children too.

Four of the local Family Places are participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge in 2017.  If you want to learn more about their programs, or wish to donate, click on their link below for more information.

West Side Family Place SocietyWest Side Family Place

West Side Family Place makes a difference in the lives of families.

We know that raising children can be lonely, frustrating and sometimes bewildering. West Side Family Place provides a safe space for mothers, fathers, and caregivers with young children from all backgrounds to gather and play, free from judgement or the long-term commitment of registered programs.

Please join us in support of this amazing organization and help us continue to provide a welcoming space and practical programs that support the healthy development of children in the community.

For information about how to get involved, please contact Diane at 604-738-2819.

 

South Vancouver Family Place SocietySouth Vancouver Family Place

Our mandate is to support families (with children newborn to 5 years), in building healthy relationships and community networks by providing our services in welcoming, nurturing and respectful environments. In addition, we operate a licensed preschool serving 70 local families.

 

Please help South Vancouver Family Place to continue offering diverse and relevant programming for vulnerable families in South/East Vancouver. Join our team as a fundraiser, get your friends to also join our team as fundraisers, or to sponsor you. Every single penny sponsored to you is donated directly to South Vancouver Family Place.

 

Mount Pleasant Family Centre SocietyMount Pleasant Family Place

We are gathering a team of passionate supporters to run/walk 5K on Sunday, June 25 to help us raise awareness to the support we give to families with young children. For forty years the Mount Pleasant Family Centre Society has been providing a safe space where families with young children can make new friends, learn new skills, and receive support.

When you join our team, you get access to fundraising tools, training, team/race day photos, team spirit and the heartfelt gratitude of families that you’re literally stepping up for. All you need is a passion for healthy families.

For more information, please visit www.mpfamilycentre.ca.

Eastside Family Place SocietyEastside Family Place

You can help young children and families! Eastside Family Place is again participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and we invite you to join our team or to make a donation today.

Parents often describe Eastside Family Place as a “home away from home,” a “lifesaver,” and a “microcosm of what we want the world to be.” We ARE the proverbial village raising the child!

Please help by joining & walking with us to raise funds. If that’s not possible, you can still support young children and families in East Vancouver by DONATING NOW through this page. Thank you!

Apr 11 2017
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Asics Pace Team at #ScotiaHalf 2017

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We’re excited to introduce the 2017 Asics Pace Team for this year’s Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon! Two pacers will run with each of the following pace groups – 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, and (new this year) 2:30.

1:45 Pace Group Leaders

Mike Hsiao

Mike is a recent engineering graduate, avid volunteer and a marathon runner who was diagnosed with the Fatty Liver Disease as a child. In 2012, while he was in second year university, he collapsed and was sent to the ER due to a combination of many health conditions, including being borderline obese. Since then, Mike decided to make a change to become healthier. He picked up running and an active lifestyle (and lost 1/4 of his weight in the progress). He has kept going since, and have ran over 60 races varying from a 5km to full marathons. Mike has made a goal to do 100 races before he is 25 to raise awareness for many health causes. Mike is the founder and CEO of Race Force, which is a nonprofit organization that have helped organized or assisted more than 150 sporting events (such as Scotiahalf) since inception. Mike is excited to be an Asics pacer for the 2017 Scotiahalf for 1:45 and invite you to connect with him!

Kevin Schwab

Following his Half Marathon debut in Munich in 2010, Kevin has been running 10Ks and Half Marathons throughout Canada over the past few years. His two running highlights to-date include winning the M<25 age group at Scotia last year, as well as completing his first Full Marathon in Portland in October. Battling with injuries for most of the last half year, Kevin is excited to assist other runners in achieving their goals at Scotia this summer. Oh and getting to wear bunny ears – that’s pretty big, too.

2:00 Pace Group Leaders

Greg Faber

I started running in 2012 to shed some pounds and reclaim my health. It started with casual walks just to get my body adjusted to movement. As I saw other people running through the park, it motivated me to do more. I picked up my pace and before I knew it I was running my first 5km race. Today, I am proud to say that I have completed many races ranging from 5k’s to ultra marathons and what started out as simple exercise has turned into a lifestyle.

I have since not only lost all the excess weight I carried around, but have gained a whole new community of friends and likeminded individuals that have all caught the running bug. Moving forward, I want to inspire and motivate others to reach their own running goals. I found that pacing for the Scotiabank Half-Marathon is one way to give back to the sport I love!

Elisha Allen

Elisha is a Vancouver local with a life-long love of running. Over the past few years she’s completed a variety of long distance races including a 23 km trail race up Whistler Mountain and the 2017 Boston Marathon. She’s extremely passionate about helping others explore and enjoy running and can’t wait to help you reach your half-marathon goals! If you want to check out her latest running adventures you can Elisha on Instagram @theruntoboston.

2:15 Pace Group Leaders

Andy Arevalo

Andy Arevalo is a runner that has started his running since 2015.

In late 2015, he came across a local Chinese running group called LaPower. He joined the group and has made many good friends that share the same passion in running and life style.

He has run many race such as The Sun Run, BMO half marathon, Scotiabank half marathon, and the Rock “N” Rock Half marathon in which he had made his PB in the race.

Having this opportunity to run as a pacer for the Scotiabank half marathon 2017 is his honour. This is going to be a very exciting and memorable experience for Andy, and he is going to achieve your goal with you.

Courtney L.

I started running in 2010 and got hooked. It started with one half marathon just to see if I could do it and has led to many more half marathons, marathons, 5k and 10ks all over North America. I love to run and I love to get other people excited about running. And I enjoy helping people reach their running goals. I have lead running clinics and paced numerous 10ks, half marathons and marathons. It is a great feeling to help someone reach their goal – to be a small part of their success is awesome. I am looking forward to running with the group to make the 2:15 half marathon time!

2:30 Pace Group Leaders

Sharon Sandhu

Hi name is Sharon and I moved from England to Vancouver in 2012. I first started running in 2011, my friend who was a run coach convinced me to try something new and I signed up for my first half marathon in Basingstoke UK (with hills). Running has always been a great way to meet people and I am super excited to be a pacer at the Scotiabank Half Marathon, this will be my third year running the course and I’m looking forward to being a source of motivation for the awesome runners on the day!

Lisa Brown

My name is Lisa Brown and I am the pacer for the 2:30 group. The party corral!

My first race was the Scotiabank half marathon in 2013. I was hooked. Since then I have run 7 half marathons, 3 full marathons, numerous 10 and 5k races. For the last year I have been volunteering with learn to run and 5k clinics.

Run with the Asics Pace Team this June – sign up today!

Apr 10 2017
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Half to Half Training Program

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Training Tips | No Comments

Spring racing season is in full swing so it’s always worth looking forward to your next goal. The months of training that have prepared you for a spring 10km, Half-Marathon, or other distance can set you up for many subsequent races.

If your spring goal was a Half-Marathon, keep the momentum going with the Half-to-Half program below! We also have a beginner 5km program and simple Half training schedule as well. Race a 10k this spring? Scroll further down for the 10k-to-Half program.

Half-to-Half Training Program
WEEK MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
May 8–14 Rest 5km Cross-train 4km Rest Cross-train 10km
May 15–21 Rest 7km Cross-train 6km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 13km
May 22-28 Rest 7km Cross-train 7km Rest Cross-train 15km
May 29- June 4 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 17km
June 5–11 Rest 9km Cross-train 8km Rest Cross-train 19km
June 12–18 Rest 8km Cross-train 8km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 12km
June 19–25 Rest 5km Rest 4km Rest Rest 21.1km — Event Day!

Cross-train with swimming, hiking, cycling, yoga, or strength training. Make sure not to over do it on these days as they are part of your recovery process. Recovering properly is essential to bridge between your two races, so actually rest on those Rest Days! When adding in hills, try to incorporate a few steady climbs into your route, anywhere from 200m to 500m long.

 

If you’ve just finished your training for a 10k, it’s a perfect launching point for a new distance: the Half-Marathon. Running 21.1km may seem daunting at first, but it’s likely that when starting to prepare for your 10km race that seemed scary too! With a gradual build in mileage, this 10km to Half-Marathon program will prepare you to toe the start line at your next Half-Marathon with confidence!

10k to Half-Marathon Program
WEEK MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Apr 24–30 Rest 4km Cross-train 4km Rest Cross-train 7km
May 1–7 Rest 5km Cross-train 4km Rest Cross-train 10km
May 8–14 Rest 6km Cross-train 5km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 12km
May 15–21 Rest 6km Cross-train 6km Rest Cross-train 14km
May 22–28 Rest 7km Cross-train 6km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 16km
May 29–June 4 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km Rest Cross-train 18km
June 5–11 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 20km
June 12–18 Rest 8km Cross-train 7km w/ hills Rest Cross-train 12km
June 19–25 Rest 5km Rest 4km Rest Rest 21.1km — Event Day

 

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k offers the perfect summer race weekend. The Half takes participants along a beautiful route from UBC to Stanley Park. The 5k route features Lost Lagoon and the English Bay seawall. Bask in the summer sun and sign-up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k today!

Date: June 25, 2017
Start time: 7:30am (Half) | 9:30am (5k)
Start location: East Mall, UBC (Half) | Stanley Park (5k)
Finish location: Stanley Park

Mar 31 2017
0

#ScotiaHalf 2017 Charity Profiles

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Over the next few months we’ll be profiling some of the amazing charities involved with this year’s Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k along with some of the great work they do. This week, we spoke to the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation.

Want to get involved? Find out more about the Scotiabank Charity Challenge here!

Royal Columbian Hospital FoundationRoyal Columbian Hospital Foundation

Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is Pounding the Pavement for Preemies!

We are working together with friends and family to fundraise for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This year our goal is to raise $88,000 to fund the remaining balance of our Infant Transport Incubator. An Infant Transport Incubator is a self-contained, mobile, intensive care unit for sick or premature babies to be transported to a neonatal intensive-care unit for specialized treatment.

The Van Marrewyk family experienced first-hand the exceptional care from the RCH Hospital after the birth of their triplet daughters in 2010. Wanting to give back, they organized an annual 5km walk for family and friends that also acted as a fundraiser for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Royal Columbian Hospital. Those Christmastime walkathons raised $110,000. As the family and the Foundation discussed future fundraising efforts, we all saw an advantage in joining the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. We caught up with the Van Marrewyk’s about their involvement, their goals and their story:

How/why did you decide to use the Scotiabank Charity Challenge as a big fundraiser instead of continuing with the walk you’ve put on in the past?  Do you still put the walk on as an annual event? 
This option was brought forward to us by the RCH Foundation.  The biggest reason that we joined forces with both the RCH foundation and Scotiabank Charity Challenge was for ease and exposure.  This fundraiser was never about our family it has always been about the NICU.  When we did the walk it was located in Ladner and it was difficult to bring the entire NICU community to us so it was always more of a family and friends event.  Now the event has been able to reach more of just the NICU community and that was ultimately what our family wanted.  Our dream was to raise awareness about the NICU and give the NICU families a place to come together and celebrate our miracles that have come through the NICU. 
We do not still do the walk, like everyone these days we are a busy family and the walk consumed roughly 6-8 months of our year trying to plan, execute the walk, and then finally send out all of the thank you’s.  We know how much goes into an event like this and for the foundation to take this work off of our plate has been amazing for us.  The RCH Foundation is truly the backbone of why this fundraiser has continued.

Royal Columbian Hospital FoundationWhat made you become so involved with the RCH Foundation?  I’m sure many families have been helped through their care, but what made you decide to give back over the years? 
Without the NICU we would not have our family of 6.  Our children were very sick when they came under the care of Dr. Al-Mudaffer of the NICU.  He and his team (doctors and nurses) made sure that they would find the answers of why the kids were so sick and he did.  The RCH Foundation was our avenue to ensure that our money made it back into the RCH NICU’s system.  They have been absolutely amazing in their tireless work and continue to exceed all of our expectations.  They always make things happen and always looking our for not only the hospitals best interests but also the families of the patients.  They make things happen!

Where does the money that’s fundraised go to every year? Is it based on the needs of the neonatal unit? 
Queenie (NICU Manager) still allows us to choose where this money goes.  Every time we start a new year we are given a few choices and the monetary amount of the items that we are discussing.  The current focus is an Infant Transport Incubator. Before this, we raised money to purchase a jet ventilator, which provides a gentle and effective mode of ventilation to help the most fragile premature babies breathe, since their lungs are not developed enough for them to breathe on their own. We’ve also purchased infusion pumps that deliver fluids and medications as well as a couple of isolette incubators.
The Incubator stretcher that we are currently still working on has been a special piece of equipment because we have an agreement with the hospital that we will continue to raise funds for this piece of equipment (forecasted 3 years) but the piece of equipment has already been purchased.  The hospital is paying for this piece of equipment and we are paying them back, what an amazing relationship!

When you sign up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k, you can choose to run for the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Already registered to run? You can join their fundraising team today or make a donation to their team.

Dr. Peter AIDS FoundationDr. Peter AIDS Foundation

The Dr. Peter Centre is a leader in providing HIV care for individuals who face complex social and health issues, including mental illness, addictions, poverty, homelessness and social isolation.

Located in Vancouver’s West End, the Dr. Peter Centre provides three programs – day health, 24-hour specialized nursing care residence, and enhanced supportive housing, which together form a campus of care with integrative HIV services supporting personal autonomy and effective use of health care resources.

Now in our 8th year, staff and volunteers of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation form the “Red Ribbon Roadrunners” and run in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to fundraise. Our team runs not only for fitness, but also to support compassionate care for people living with HIV.

We chose the Scotiabank Charity Challenge as one of our yearly fundraisers because it is a world-class race that provides a seamless platform that allows us to focus our efforts and resources on fundraising. It is also a great way to meet new people, get in shape, and have fun!

The Red Ribbon Roadrunners participate annually in the Scotiabank Half-Marathon and 5k in support of the life-changing work of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. Every contribution makes a difference. When you run, walk or pledge on behalf of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, you help provide vital care for people living with HIV.

Our food and nutrition program is the cornerstone of our model of care. Every day in the day health program, nutritious breakfasts and lunches are served, providing the high level of nutrition needed for a person to fully benefit from HIV treatment and to bolster the immune system.

In our day health program, a meal is so much more than a meal – it’s THE draw for engagement in HIV treatment and other HIV care.

Our goal is to raise $5000, enough to fund 1000 meals at the Dr. Peter Centre!

Dr. Peter AIDS FoundationWhen you sign up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k, you can choose to run for The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Already registered to run? You can join their fundraising team today or make a donation to their team.

lipstick-projectThe Lipstick Project

The Lipstick Project is a small, Vancouver-based non-profit that provides free, professional spa services to men, women and children who are facing significant health challenges. Through partnerships with organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and the Vancouver Hospice Society, our volunteers deliver comfort, dignity and compassionate care to those in need. We’ve never participated in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge before and are really looking forward to engaging our community in this new way this year!

lipstick-projectWe chose to participate in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge because it is an event that such a diverse group of our community can participate in. Because volunteering with our organization requires a very specific skill set, there are lots of supporters and fans in our community who can’t volunteer with us. This event is a great way to engage our entire community and rally them around a specific cause.

People can run for our charity by signing up here and joining our team. We’re very excited to make this a community-building event that is much more than just on race-day. That’s why we have partnered up with Rackets & Runners’ run club for training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. We also have an active Facebook community where we’re posting training tips, gear info, stretching videos, and different tidbits to help people make the most of this experience.

The funds raised will help us continue our programs and services in the coming year. We’re also always hopeful to expand the reach of our organization to serve more people, and success in this fundraising endeavour would help us to bring those expansions to life.

When you sign up for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k, you can choose to run for The Lipstick Project in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Already registered to run? You can join their fundraising team today or make a donation to their team.

Check back next week – we’ll be talking to another one of our great charities! You can find the full list of our partner charities here.

Feb 14 2017
0

Council for Responsible Sport – Inspire Certification

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

Canada Running Series has a longstanding commitment to producing sustainable events in our community and is excited for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k‘s invitation into the Council for Responsible Sport‘s Inspire program! The new Inspire program recognizes the sustained commitment of events that have been certified multiple times and challenges them to mentor industry peers and share their stories. The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is the fourth event to earn Inspire status and the first to do so in Canada. It is the second event to earn Inspire status at the Gold level.

“The Inspire program grants events and organizers with proven records of hosting certified responsible events a position of exemplary leadership within the community of organizers positively influencing the sports events industry,” said the Council’s managing director Shelley Villalobos.

“We are pleased to welcome the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k to the Inspire program this year. We hope to elevate the level of attention to the exemplary work organizers have been doing for several years now with regards to zero waste, procurement, access, and community legacy at the event.”

Highlights of achievements in the past include:

  •  98% Waste Diversion Rate for our Expo, Start Area, Finish Area, and course with Green Chair Recycling
  • All discarded clothing from Start Area collected and donated to shelter programs
  • Majority of food purchased is locally and/or organically produced, with surplus food being donated to local food banks
  • Striving for Carbon-Neutral – all event operations and 50% of local participant travel was offset with carbon credits in 2015
  • Free post-event shuttles and bike valet reduce two-way trips and car drops
  • Marketing materials are printed using biodegradable inks on FSC certified paper

In 2017, the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k will expand upon these achievements by replacing all generators at the start/finish venues with pollution-free power stations and solar panels. Recycling and waste reduction initiatives will continue to be fine-tuned and the event will expand upon the bike valet program in Stanley Park.

Events may opt into the Inspire program on an invitation only basis after earning two consecutive certifications from the Council (certification is good for two years). The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k earned an invitation in 2017 after first becoming certified in 2013 at the Silver level, and earning a recertification at the Gold level in 2015. Program participation entails three core requirements including annual reporting on key performance indicators, mentorship of another event or organization on a specific aspect of their responsible sport programming and sharing the event’s responsible sport story publicly.

Feb 13 2017
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Why Runners Participate in Event Fundraising

By | Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge supports over 80 different charities each year through the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k. Each charity has a unique story and background for how they were founded and came to be a part of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. The Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation is just one of these stories and they have been a huge part of this event for many years as they fundraise for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), largely in part to the Van Marrewyk family.

The Van Marrewyk family experienced incredible care for almost two months at the Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) NICU after the birth of their triplet daughters. Their appreciation led to the establishment of an annual 5k Christmas-time walkathon for friends and family in support of the NICU at RCH that raised over $110,000. Wanting to further their fundraising efforts, the Van Marrewyk’s and the RCH Foundation saw the advantage of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and decided to take part. The RCH Foundation has raised over $125,000 since 2013 with the focus being on supporting neonatal care.

Making every step count is more than just participating in the event. The Charity Challenge program allows participants to run for the sake of others. Runners and walkers are given a unique opportunity to band together and fundraise for local charities of personal significance, creating a more meaningful race experience. The social aspect of a race is greatly enhanced with the camaraderie between friends, family, coworkers, and like-minded people as they work towards supporting their chosen charity. Helping the greater good is incredibly motivating, especially when individuals set personal goals for both their own race and their fundraising targets through their support both physically and financially.

In the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, Scotiabank covers all of the fees associated with online fundraising, allowing 100% of the funds that have been raised to go directly to the charity of your choice. Over $50 million has been raised nationally through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge from thousands of people running or walking in honour of loved ones, or to simply raise awareness and give back to their community.

No matter what distance you take part in or what amount you raise, your contribution makes every step count for charities in our community.

To take part in the Charity Challenge, sign up as part of a charity team when you register for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5k today! A list of current charities is available here with more being added every week.