FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FASTEST MARATHON TIME RUN EVER ON CANDIAN SOIL:
20TH ANNIVERSARY SCOTIABANK TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON
SHATTERS COURSE AND FUNDRAISING RECORDS
Toronto's premier running event sets new records for men's and women's
course times and raises $1.8 million for 99 neighbourhood charities
TORONTO, ON - September 27, 2009 - With over $1.8 million dollars raised,
two new course records set and a sold out event, 2009 marks the most
successful year in the marathon's 20 year history.
The defending men's champion, Kenneth Mungara of Kenya broke the record he
set in last year's race, setting a new record for fastest marathon time
ever run on Canadian soil (2:08:32). In the women's marathon, Amane Gobena
of Ethiopia also set a new course record with a time of 2:28:31, overtaking
defending champion and countrywoman Mulu Seboka over the last kilometre.
"We could not have asked for a better anniversary race," said Race Director
Alan Brookes. "Today we saw the top three fastest marathons ever run on
Canadian soil in the men's race, truly witnessing world class running -
with the top two men's finishers coming in at record setting 2:08. The
women's race was just as exciting a finish, with a new course record of
2:28 set by Amane Gobena. Today's race has been inspiring for thousands of
Torontonians and truly puts our city on par with marathons around the
world."
"We are delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this remarkable
record-breaking event," said John Doig, Senior Vice-President of Marketing
for Scotiabank. "The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon brings the
world to our Waterfront and puts Toronto on the global map for excellence
in athleticism, philanthropy and community spirit."
Overall Male - Top Finishers
Kenneth Mungara, Kenya - 2:08:32
Chala Lemi, Ethiopia - 2:08:49
Gashaw Melese Asfaw, Ethiopia - 2:09: 23
Overall Female - Top Finishers
Amane Gobena, Ethiopia - 2:28:31
Mulu Seboka, Ethiopia - 2:29:38
Haile Kebebush, Ethiopia - 2:30:48
The full list of results is available at www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.
2009 - A Marathoner of Firsts...
- New Canadian All-comers record! Fastest marathon time run on Canadian
soil
- New Course records! New course records set in both Men's and Women's race
- New Charity Challenge Record! Fundraising goal and previous record
shattered: $1.8 million raised (up from $1.4 million in 2008) surpassing
goal of $1.5 million. Funds raised for 99 community charities, up from 63
in 2008!
- Marriage proposal! Full Marathoner Ronnie Garcia and his half marathoner
girlfriend Therese Tongco left the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
for the first time... engaged!
The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge surpassed its $1.5 million target
with a final total of over $1.8 million. This remarkable achievement
exceeds last year's total of $1.4 million. In addition, Scotiabank will
award $5,000 to the three charities with the most runners, the largest
amount of pledges per runner and the most money raised in pledges.
Along the marathon course, 12 Neighbourhood Cheering and Entertainment
stations encouraged the runners to the finish line, with the St. Lawrence
Market winning this year's Scotiabank Neighbourhood Challenge. To honour
their exuberance and support, Scotiabank awarded them a charity bonus of
$6,000 for having the most people, best costumes, best entertainment - and
above all, creating the most noise.
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