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Scotiabank Vancouver Half

Apr 20 2015
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WAVAW – Eliminate the Wait

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Uncategorised | No Comments
Vancouver – April 20, 2015

This year Women Against Violence Against Women Rape Crisis Centre, WAVAW is running/walking to #EliminateTheWait, because no women should have to wait for counselling after being sexually assaulted. It’s appalling that the demand for sexual assault support services in our community exceeds the resources available:  currently, there is a 1.5 year waiting list for women to access WAVAW’s free one-to-one counselling.  A woman is sexually assaulted every 17 minutes in Canada, WAVAW is working harder than ever to raise money to fulfill the huge need for support services in our community—and to challenge the culture of violence that contributes to such shocking rates of sexual assault.

To put it in perspective, our waitlist is comprised of women in the following age brackets:

19yrs: 7 women                20-25: 44 women             26-29: 23 women

30-39: 49 women             40-49: 33 women             50-59: 10 women

60-70: 5 women

Counselling services at WAVAW include individual and group counselling for self-identified women who have experienced sexualized violence.  Our counsellors work within a feminist perspective with anti-oppression analysis. Our goal is to support women and understand the impact of violence in all aspect of their lives as well as acknowledge their strength and resilience to continue in their journey from trauma to strength and healing.

We currently have three support groups:

  • Women Connect is a monthly drop in group for women on our waitlist.  The group offers the space, time, and opportunity for women to connect with each other, have conversation that will expand their understanding of the impact of trauma in their lives.
  • Visioning Safety is a 4 week group using psycho-educational tools to focus on understating the impact of violence, containment strategies, resistance, self-care and exercises for grounding.
  • Recharging Support Group is an 8 week group with a focus on empowerment and reconnections.  This is a self-awareness and empowerment group that focuses on rebuilding and reconnect with self and life and recharging.

All of the money raised will help maintain and expand WAVAW’s counselling services to girls and  women who have survived sexual assault.  For over 30 years, WAVAW has been providing a wide range of direct services—including counselling, 24-hour crisis line support, accompanying women to the hospital, court and police station—while also addressing the root causes of violence through public education.

On June 28th WAVAW: Women Against Violence Against Women Against Women Rape Crisis Centre will participate in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon or 5k Run/Walk as a featured charity to bring awareness and education about sexual assault. Join the team or discovery other ways you can help here.

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Apr 08 2015
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Featured Charity – Music Heals

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

What Is Music Heals?

The Music Heals Charitable Foundation raises awareness and fundraises for music therapy across Canada. Their mission is to increase patient access to music therapy for children, seniors, palliative care, burn units, bereavement, rehabilitation and more. Music Heals donated $250,000 to music therapy programs in Canada in their first two years.

Read more about Music Heals here.

If you HAVE NOT registered for the race, click here to register for the race and to fundraise in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge.

 

If you have already registered for the Race (Half Marathon or 5k), click here to create a fundraising account.

Mar 12 2015
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Join the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at the 2015 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments
VANCOUVER – March 12, 2015

The countdown is on for the 2015 Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K on June 28, 2015! Scotiabank invites runners who plan to participate in this competitive road race to give back to important causes through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge by supporting one of more than 70 registered charities.

“The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is an integral part of the Half-Marathon and 5K because it raises much needed funds for local community charities,” said Winnie Leong, Scotiabank Senior Vice President of the BC and Yukon Region. “I welcome our 2015 charities, and encourage runners of all ages as well as their friends and family to take part in helping us reach our 2015 fundraising goal of $1,000,000. Every step helps build a stronger community.”

Participants can visit www.vancouverhalf.com to sign up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge to fundraise for a local community charity, pledge or join a charity team. Charity Info.

Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised as Scotiabank covers all of the transaction, credit card and administrative fees associated with the fundraising event. Last year, the 2014 Scotiabank Charity Challenge raised over $950,000 for 77 local charities and, since the event was established, Vancouver is approaching $10,000,000 in total funds raised.

Each year, three event charities are selected as featured charities. These organizations receive increased visibility and exposure through the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K to help support fundraising efforts.

2015 Scotiabank Charity Challenge Featured Charities:

  1. Women Against Violence Against Women – The Women Against Violence Against Women Rape Crisis Centre was founded in Vancouver in 1982 to end all forms of violence against women and to create a society where all women are free from violence.
  2. Music Heals – The Music Heals Charitable Foundation works to increase patient access to music therapy for children, seniors, palliative care, burn units, bereavement, rehabilitation and more.
  3. Tapestry Foundation – The Tapestry Foundation for Health Care raises funds for hospitals, hospices and residences in Metro Vancouver to enhance the care experience for aging hospital patients and residents in facilities operated by Providence Health Care – one of the largest faith-based health care organizations in Canada.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon provides a fundraising opportunity for both local and national charity groups through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. Part of the Challenge is a friendly competition between the charities for $25,000 in cash prizes consisting of $4,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd, and $1,500 for 3rd in the following categories:

  • The Official Charity that has the most fundraising runners.
  • The Official Charity that raises the most fundraising dollars.
  • The Official Charity that raises the largest amount of pledge dollars per fundraising runner.
  • An additional $1,000 for the Official Charity of the Fundraising Runner with the largest total dollars fundraised.

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver’s premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 7,000 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and spectators, to the city. The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K takes place on Sunday, June 28, starting at 7:30 a.m. for the Half-Marathon and 9:30 a.m. for the 5K. Register today at www.vancouverhalf.com.

About Scotiabank

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. 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 distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.

Feb 13 2015
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2015 Canada Running Series Launches Next Month in Vancouver

By | Harry's Spring Run-Off, Modo Spring Run-Off 8k, Scotiabank Vancouver Half, Toronto Yonge Street 10K | No Comments
By Paul Gains (@PaulEGains)

TORONTO. February 13th 2015. Relief from winter’s most challenging conditions may seem a long way off but there is comfort in knowing that the 2015 Canada Running Series launches next month.

The eight race series kicks off with the Modo Spring Run Off 8k (March 22nd) in Vancouver’s scenic Stanley Park and concludes October 18th with the flagship event – the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM).

In addition to being named the 2015 Canadian Marathon Championship the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was awarded the prestigious IAAF Gold Label recently, making it one of only four marathons in the Americas to earn that distinction. Considering the other three are Boston, New York and Chicago – all part of the World Marathon Majors – it is indeed a wonderful recognition of years of hard work.

The full series calendar includes Modo Spring Run Off 8k (March 22, Vancouver), Harry’s Spring Run Off 8k and 5k to Fight Prostate Cancer (April 4, Toronto High Park), Toronto Yonge Street 10k (April 19), Banque Scotia de 21k & 5k de Montreal (April 26), Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon and 5k (June 28), Oasis ZooRun 10k (Toronto September 12), Vancouver Eastside 10k (September 19) and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 18).

Thirty years ago Race Director Alan Brookes set out to create Canadian races where participants of all levels can race on a safe, accurately measured course and receive an accurate finishing time. It would seem it’s a case of ‘mission accomplished.’ The CRS team has grown to include15 full time staff.

Striving to stay up with changing times they continually seek fresh ideas to give participants the best race experience possible.

For several years the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon – which has seen its participation grow by 36% over the past five years –  has been a member of the Chicago Marathon Best Practices Group. Members travel to each others‘ races to work and to experience other leading race organization. Indeed, CRS staff managed the water stations at the 2012 US Olympic trials in Houston and will be handling the technical end of the upcoming 2015 Pan Am Games marathon and race walks.

The CRS prides itself on its community building events and at the core is a massive charitable component.  Last year 58,009 entrants participated in the series raising $5,843,468 for charities bringing the total amount of money raised over the past five years to a staggering $28,306,914.

Alongside the fitness runners, charity fundraisers and novice runners some of Canada’s best distance runners line up at CRS events competing for prize money. In addition, points are awarded based according to position in their best three CRS races. In addition, the races are given weight depending upon the quality of the fields. The top Canadian finisher in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon for instance earns 60 points while he/she would earn 30 points for victory in the Harry’s Spring Run Off 8k, the Oasis Zoo Run and the Scotiabank Toronto Half Marathon.

Blog TYS10K Rachel Hannah

Defending Champion Rachel Hannah at the Toronto Yonge Street 10K

The defending CRS overall champions are Eric Gillis who resides in Guelph, Ontario and Toronto’s Rachel Hannah.

A year ago victories in the Toronto Yonge Street 10k, Oasis Zoo Run 10k and Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal were enough to secure the title for Gillis. He was also the leading Canadian finisher at the STWM when he finished 9th in a new personal best of 2:11:21.

Hannah, meanwhile, had a spectacular year emerging victorious in the Toronto Yonge St 10k, Banque Scotia 21k de Montreal as well as the Oasis 10k. She also won the Canadian Cross Country Championship. Like many elites the 28 year old credits the series for developing her career.

“The Canada Running Series is very important for offering athletes of all levels opportunities to race in world-class events on home soil,” says Hannah. “We are privileged to have this series in Canada.

“The financial support the CRS offers to runners in this country is outstanding for the sport.  Alan and his team make it more possible for an athlete’s life to be fiscally sustainable and, for that, I know we’re all thankful.”

Following their outstanding season Gillis and Hannah received $2,500 prizes in addition to any appearance money and prize money offered at the individual races. This year the CRS has raised the amount of prize money. The 2015 winners will receive $5000.

Blog TYS10K Eric Gillis

Eric Gillis runs to victory at the Toronto Yonge Street 10K

Gillis is set to run a spring marathon and will therefore is unsure of where he will run his first CRS event.

“The CRS provides excellent racing opportunities in Canada to both developing, and pro distance runners,” Gillis declares. “I’m a beneficiary of this and credit the Series with helping me reach the athletic level I’m presently at.

“The doubling of overall champion’s prize money is great news, it’ll only further incentivize athletes to race in Canada and increase the interest, and presumably the depth of this great Series.

“The thing I like about CRS races is the atmosphere surrounding the races. Each event has a little different flavour, and I like the mix of competition and participation, something for everyone.”

The series is likely to see several leading Canadian internationals mark their return following injuries. Dylan Wykes and Reid Coolsaet who along with Gillis represented Canada in the London 2012 Olympic marathon, are back in the fray while  Dayna Pidhoresky  the 2011 CRS overall champion is training again. Then there is Natasha Wodak whose 2014 season was ended abruptly when she succumbed to plantar fasciitis. Now training hard again she appears wanting to make up for lost time.

Rachel Cliff and Natasha Wodak at Modo Spring-Run Off Vancouver, 2014

Rachel Cliff and Natasha Wodak at the Modo Spring-Run Off 8K

“I’m so excited to be back racing this year,” she says. “I’ve got lots of races planned, so I’m really hoping I can stay healthy this year. I am being very careful and proceeding cautiously.”

Her winter schedule includes the Modo Spring Run Off 8k as well as the world cross country championships in China – she and Hannah will be teammates representing Canada – before she takes to both the road and track in preparation for a possible Pan Am Games berth.

“A fall marathon is in the plan as well,” she adds. “My major goal for the year though is just to stay healthy. The CRS races are always competitive, which creates opportunities to run fast.  And running fast is what it’s all about.”

A year ago Kelly Wiebe (24:04) and Wodak (26:39) emerged victorious in the Modo Spring Run off 8k event and are plotting to defend these titles. Neither will have an easy time.

Wodak faces her rival Rachel Cliff who finished 2nd in last year’s Modo 8k. Meanwhile Cliff’s fiancee, Chris Winter the defending Canadian Cross Country champion, will tackle Wiebe. The pair were teammates when Canada competed at the 2013 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydoszcz, Poland and will be fighting for local bragging rights.

Up until February 17th runners can purchase a ‘Combo Pack’ which offers discounts when they sign up for multiple CRS events at the same time. www.RunCRS.ca

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Feb 12 2015
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Research Group for #ScotiaHalf

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

02-12-fortius-gateOur friends at Fortius Sport & Health are looking for eligible runners to join their research group for the #ScotiaHalf! Details on this great opportunity, and how you can apply, are below.

Women age 18-60 who are interested in training for the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon may be eligible for a FREE biomechanical running gait assessment ($300 value) at Fortius Sport & Health’s state-of-the-art Biomechanics Lab. This is a great opportunity – hurry, space is limited and biomechanical testing begins in early March!!! 

The half marathon clinic will take place out of the running store at Fortius Sport & Health. Group runs will meet on Thursday evenings at 6:15pm and Sunday mornings at 9:00am. You will also be given a weekly schedule, which will include two more runs per week to be completed on your own time. The clinic begins the week of March 16th and culminates with the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon on June 28th. Please note that running the half marathon is not a requirement for taking part in this clinic.

02-12-fortius-groupAs part of the study, you will receive a discounted entry to the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon and two biomechanical running assessments at Fortius’ state-of-the-art Biomechanics Lab. The first assessment will take place before the running clinic commences and the second one will take place in the final 10 days of the clinic. If interested, we will need to confirm you for the first assessment soon.

If you are interested in joining this study and you meet the eligibility criteria, please go to the study eligibility form here: http://mablab.rehab.med.ubc.ca/currentstudies/running-biomechanics-half-marathon-clinic-study/

We are still recruiting more participants, so tell your friends! Please ask them to email us at ubcrunstudy@gmail.com or go to the study eligibility form.

And check out this video of what a state-of-the-art biomechanical running gait assessment looks like.