FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kelai and Gigi, both Champions set to return for
9th annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
Marathon joins the rank of world's elite runs with IAAF Silver Label status
TORONTO – July 17, 2008 John Kelai of Kenya and Asha Gigi of Ethiopia, the
course record holders and defending champions of last year's Scotiabank
Toronto Waterfront Marathon, are both set to return to the ‘flat, fast'
course in search of new records. With newly awarded International
Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Silver Label status, increased
financial incentives and a new downtown start and finish location, the 9th
annual marathon on September 28th, 2008 promises to be Toronto's biggest
race yet.
"We're delighted to have both our champions returning," said Race Director
Alan Brookes. "It's a great testament to the growing recognition of The
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Our hope is now to get a 2:08 and a
2:28 course record and continue to build on our great success in North
America."
The award of the IAAF Silver label makes the Scotiabank Toronto Marathon
one of only five such recognized marathons in North America, putting
Toronto on the map in the international athletic community. And while the
race is certainly gaining international profile – it has also gained
profile within the city. Earlier this year Toronto Mayor David Miller
invited the race – for the first time ever - to move its Start/Finish line
to the prestigious venue of Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall.
Fastest time on Canadian soil leads to IAAF Silver Label status
Kelai created major excitement across Canada last year when he won a
thrilling battle with fellow countryman Daniel Rono to run the fastest
marathon ever on Canadian soil, in 2:09:30. This eclipsed the previous
all-comers mark of 2:09:55 that had been run a generation ago at the
Montreal Olympics in 1976. In so doing, Kelai and Rono made Scotiabank
Toronto Waterfront Marathon one of only four sub 2:10 marathons in North
America in 2007 and helped propel the event into the top ranks of world
marathons with the awarding of the IAAF Silver Label for 2008. After a
highly injudicious start that saw her on 2:20 pace at 10K, Asha Gigi hung
on for victory and also set a new women's course record of 2:33:16. Since
last fall, Kelai has gone on to retain his title at the Mumbai Marathon,
and Gigi has run a 2:29:28 for third place in Hamburg. "I am training hard
for Toronto Waterfront and will be ready to defend my title, and run a new
personal record," said the 31 year-old Kelai.
Increases Prizes for 2008
In addition to its increased status in the running community, Scotiabank
has increased the prize purse for 2008 to $20,000 for the first-place Man
and Woman, with cash awards going to 8th place in the Open division, to the
top 3 Masters [40+], top 3 Canadian males and females, International Team
Challenge winners, and Ontario regional winners. In addition, Scotiabank is
offering extra $20,000 cash bonuses for new "fastest time on Canadian soil"
records that proved so alluring last year-- sub 2:09:30 for men and sub
2:26:01 for women. The Men's bonus will be increased to $25,000 if the new
mark is under 2:09:00. Combined, this means the total prize purse is just
over $180,000, plus time bonuses.
"We are extremely proud to be the official sponsor of the fastest marathon
in Canada", said John Doig, Senior Vice-President of Marketing at
Scotiabank. "The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon not only continues
to surpass sporting expectations but also grows in importance in our
community, raising major funds for small but significant neighbourhood
charities."
The 9th annual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and 19th edition of
the accompanying Half Marathon and 5K are expected to attract more than
12,000 participants from across Canada, the United States and 35 other
countries. In total, the marathon expects to raise more than $1 million for
63 smaller neighbourhood charities, and has an estimated economic impact on
the city of $20 million. For entries and information, please visit:
www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com
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