FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calling all MASCOTS, VEGETABLES, TELEVISION CHARACTERS and FAMILIES!
Four Opportunities to break Guinness World Records® at the
2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
(Toronto, ON: July 19, 2011) - The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
(STWM) and Guinness World Records, the global authority on record-breaking
achievements, today announced a partnership and new opportunities for
marathon runners to break four world records at this year's event on
October 16th. The four opportunities to break a Guinness World Records®
title in the 42.2k marathon category at the 2011 STWM are:
1. Fastest marathon run by a mascot
(Current record held by Toronto's Peter Donato as Jefferson the Dog at the
2010 STWM with a time of 4:16:43. Jefferson is the mascot for
MyNextRace.com)
2. Fastest marathon run as a vegetable
(Current record held by the UK's Michael Neville as a Carrot with the time
of 3:09:21 at the 2010 London Marathon)
3. Fastest marathon run as a television character
(Current record held by the UK's Simon Byrant as Captain James Kirk, with a
time of 3:21:20 at the 2010 London Marathon
4. Fastest marathon run as a parent and child (aggregate time)
(Current record held by Kevin Amos and his son Shane of the UK from the
2010 London Marathon with a combined time of 6:03:07. Kevin's finishing
time was 2:51:03 and Shane's was 3:12:04)
"The elite runners are used to breaking records, but this year everyone
participating in the marathon event will have the chance to make marathon
history," said Alan Brookes, STWM Race Director. "Working with Guinness
World Records helps make our 'dream big' theme relevant. While Canadian
elite runners are attempting to break a 36-year-old Canadian marathon
record and qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games, we can inspire
Torontonians to make their own history and compete in an original category
and raise funds for many important Canadian charities."
In addition to Peter Donato's 2010 record for fastest mascot time, previous
Guinness World Records set at the STWM include: Toronto's Michal 'The
Joggler' Kapral with a world record set in 2007 for the fastest marathon
time (2:50:12) while running and juggling three objects. For three years,
Michal also held the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon pushing
a pram (2:49:44) set in the 2004 STWM - pushing his 20-month old daughter
Anika. That record was broken in 2007. Guinness World Record participants
must be entered in the full marathon (42.2km) at the STWM (www.stwm.ca)
event and must also register online at www.guinessworldrecords.com,
referencing STWM in their application, before October 1st, 2011.
"Guinness World Records is thrilled to be a part of the Scotiabank Toronto
Waterfront Marathon through offering four records for marathon runners to
break", said Stuart Claxton, Spokesperson for Guinness World Records.
"Record breaking is a fun and effective way to raise awareness for an event
or a cause, and a great way to engage a community in participating in an
exciting race."
"We're thrilled to work with Guinness World Records and bring event
participants a new way to enjoy a signature event in this great city," said
John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Toronto region. "Runners will
now have more opportunities to get involved in the event, whether they are
breaking a world record, accomplishing a personal best, or raising funds
for a local charity through the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge."
The largest goal of the STWM is the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, a
challenge for local charities to win up to $5,000 in additional funding by
competing in three categories: the charity raising the most funds per
runner, the charity with the most runners participating in the event, and
the charity with the most funds raised overall. With 154 mostly-local
charities registered in the STWM, the event hopes to raise more than $3
million for the community.
Canada's premiere marathon, expects more than 22,000 runners to participate
in the marathon, half-marathon and 5k on October 16th, 2011.
About Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada's premier marathon,
and the country's #1 big-city marathon. In 2010 the STWM was ranked the
sixth fastest marathon in the world and the third fastest women's race in
the world. The event holds the record for the fastest men's and women's
marathons ever run on Canadian soil with times of 2:07:58 by Kenneth
Mungara and 2:22:43 by Sharon Cherop - both of Kenya, and set in 2010. For
the fourth consecutive year, the STWM has been awarded a prestigious Silver
Label by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)
making it one of only five internationally recognized IAAF Label marathons
in North America, and putting Toronto on the map in the international
athletics community. The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will
attract more than 22,000 participants from over 40 different countries, and
aims to raise more than $3 million for 154 charities in 2011.
The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon includes a 5k, half-marathon
(21.1k), and full marathon (42.2k) run. For more information or to
register, please visit www.stwm.ca.
About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and
work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program,
Scotiabank Bright Future. Recognized as a leader internationally and among
Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million
annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five
years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.
About Guinness World Records:
Guinness World Records (GWR) is the global authority on record-breaking
achievements. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World RecordsTM
book has become one of the biggest-selling copyright titles of all time,
selling 120 million copies to date in 22 languages and in more than 100
countries. The internationally renowned brand is now also available across
a number of platforms - GWR's global television shows are watched by 250
million viewers annually; digital media and online record-processing
services attract more than 50 million visitors a year; and the live events
team annually entertains and inspires 1.5 million people around the world.
GWR receives more than 1,000 applications each week and has a specialized
team of multi-language record managers and adjudicators who travel the
globe to verify official record attempts. GWR also has a commercial
division (Guinness World Records Corporate) that offers accessible
record-breaking business solutions to other organizations and brands.
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