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Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Canada Running Series

Apr 29 2015
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Join The (Running) Club!

By | Digital Champions, Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments

VANCOUVER April 29th 2015. Digital Champion Yuri Artibise has been running through the streets of Vancouver since returning to the city four years ago. After a modest start in a learn to run clinic in 2012, he has run in numerous 5, 8 and 10ks, thirteen half marathons, and three full marathons, including the 2014 Long Beach (California) Marathon last October on his 40th birthday. Connect with Yuri on Twitter, Facebook, and his blog.

Join The (Running) Club! By Yuri Artibise 

Anybody who has trained for a race knows how strange the rigours of the sport can seem to your non-running friends and family. Running with others is often as much about sharing training tips as it is about spending time with like-minded people. This is certainly the case with the Fraser Street Run Club (FsRC).

FsRC was founded by Jesse Booi, Kat Drew, Cody Callon, and Michelle Ford. Dubbed the Fraser Street Run Club—after the neighbourhood where three of the four founders lived—the group started as an inside joke with a few monthly runs. The club is based on a simple premise of getting together for a run and hanging out afterward, drinking some beer, and sharing running stories.

The FsRC crew with honourary member Alan Brookes, Canada Running Series Race Director

The FsRC crew with honourary member Alan Brookes, Canada Running Series Race Director

I joined the FsRC soon after completing my first marathon clinic. After 16 weeks of running with others, I was missing the camaraderie of my fellow marathoners. From my first run with the group, I quickly realized that I had found something special. The simple equation of running and socializing had led to a community that was greater than the sum of its parts.

The success of the FsRC equation is evident in the continued growing number—and variety— of people who come out each week to club runs. The mission of the group is to engage people in running and build a supportive community for runners of all levels; from novices to national calibre runners. One week I can find myself running alongside a national champion marathoner, they next week I’m encouraging someone who is running their first 5K since high school. I believe that this inclusive and supportive environment is the secret of FsRC’s appeal.

Yuri with fellow Modo 8K digital champions, Elinor Warkentin and Steph Harrap

Yuri with fellow Modo 8K digital champions, Elinor Warkentin and Steph Harrap

If you live in or around Vancouver, I highly recommend you check out this club. We currently offer two consistent weekly runs:

  • Feel Good Fridays are weekly social fun runs at 7 pm. There are 5k and 10k routes followed by (BYOB) beers and socializing. These runs are open to everybody, and are designed to get people outside and active. We include pace groups for for all levels, including walk/run.
  • Track Tuesdays are 60-90 minute workouts designed to make you speedy. These structured, traditional track workout are open to anyone and everyone—from 5K to 50K runners.They are held every Tuesday at 6:30 pm at a local track.

For details on these runs, including routes and locations, check out the Fraser Street Run Club website, follow FsRC on Instagram and Twitter, or join the FsRC Facebook group.

Apr 21 2015
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Achieving New Standards in Sustainable Events

By | Scotiabank Vancouver Half | No Comments
VANCOUVER – April 21, 2016

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is committed to producing a world-class event that showcases our city and is both socially and environmentally responsible. In 2013, the race became the first event in Canada to obtain a Silver Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport. This year, the event is aiming to better that mark and reach Gold Certification.

Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport formally recognizes significant achievements through the successful completion of socially and environmentally responsible milestones at sporting events. Standards can be achieved in areas ranging from waste management and climate impact to community involvement, health promotion and more.

Some examples of what the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is doing to reduce the environmental footprint and increase the sustainability of the event:

  • Diverting race-related waste from going to landfill — the event obtained a 98% Waste Diversion Rate
  • Purchasing renewable energy credits to offset the impacts of the event expo lighting through Cow Power, which supports the development of anaerobic digestion as an alternative energy source for Canada
  • Collecting and donating all discarded clothing from Start Area to shelter programs in the Downtown Eastside
  • Donating surplus food remaining after the event to local food banks
  • Offering post-event shuttles to reduce two-way trips and car drops
  • Working with youth groups to reduce barriers to participation, including subsidized entry costs for youth and low-income populations
  • Through Green Chair Recycling, offering a recycling service for participants to bring hard-to-recycle items from home, such as batteries and light-bulbs
  • Paying for increased transit service on Race Morning, allowing participants to arrive at UBC by bus
  • Adoption of a sustainable procurement policy, sourcing event supplies and post-race food locally whenever possible
  • Printing marketing materials using biodegradable inks on FSC certified paper
  • Providing Virtual Event Bags as opposed to traditional paper flyer handouts

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is committed to giving back to our community. Working with 79 charities, nearly $1 million dollars was raised at the 2014 event. A recent study also reported that the event generated close to $2 million dollars in local economic activity.

The 2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon was also awarded a Silver Certification in sustainability from the Council for Responsible Sport, becoming the second event to achieve this title in Canada. Both races are part of the prestigious Canada Running Series.

We encourage all participants to help us “run green” by getting to and from the event in a sustainable way — by foot, by bike, by transit, or carpooling. Please only take what you need in terms of finish line food and cups at water stations. Make sure to use the provided recycling stations at the finish area and at water stations, leaving no garbage behind on course.

Register online

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k:
The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k (SVHM) 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 28th starting at 7:30am for the Half-Marathon and 9:30am for the 5k. Register today at www.vancouverhalf.com.

Scotiabank is a leading financial services provider in over 55 countries and Canada’s most international bank. Through Bright Future, our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level across six pillars: health, education, social services, arts and culture, environment and sports. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average some $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

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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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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