FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BMO Vancouver Marathon Launches Two New Point-to-Point Courses for 2012
New Era Begins In The 41st Running Of This Well-Loved West Coast Event
VANCOUVER, BC, October 5, 2012 - The Vancouver International Marathon
Society today announced its bold new vision for the 2012 BMO Vancouver
Marathon. The May 6th, 2012 event will offer participants two brand new,
point-to-point courses, reflecting the running community's desire to have a
new experience in this well-loved West Coast running event.
Both races begin at Queen Elizabeth Park near Nat Bailey Stadium in
Vancouver and make their way, separately, towards Stanley Park and the
downtown.
The BMO Vancouver Marathon now joins iconic races like New York, Boston and
London in offering participants a point-to-point course. The new courses
provide participants with stunning scenery and charming sights, as they
make their way through the local neighbourhoods on Vancouver's West Side,
past the beaches at Spanish Banks and English Bay, into renowned Stanley
Park and finishing in Vancouver's vibrant downtown.
And for the first time in history the Vancouver Parks Board will close down
most of the Stanley Park Seawall for the Marathon, which will be capped at
5,000 entrants. Half Marathon participants will run a completely separate
course, making their way through West Side neighbourhoods, along the
Stanley Park roadway and finishing downtown. Participants will make their
way to the new venue at Canada Place for refreshments, entertainment, and
an awards ceremony.
Race Director Jordan Myers, "we have completely revamped the courses - with
two new exciting journeys for runners. Both the Marathon and Half Marathon
routes are distinct point-to-point courses providing participants with an
exciting new experience that responds to the feedback we received." "It was
our goal to give them more scenery, more of the local neighbourhoods and
more of the Park. Runners can experience the Vancouver marathon again for
the first time!" added Myers.
The desire to run in Stanley Park is summed up best by this international
runner: "This is without a doubt the heart of Vancouver and every runner's
dream. And yet very, very little of the course took advantage of this gem."
That is until now.
The new 2012 courses reflect many of the key changes runners asked for -
providing access to scenic areas of the city. Six neighbourhoods will
provide the backdrop for marathon runners including: the UBC District,
Kitsilano, Stanley Park and Coal Harbour.
The Half Marathon's new breathtaking course will give the 10,000
half-marathon runners the best views, a fast start and a tour of
Vancouver's most iconic landmarks including sections of Yaletown,
Chinatown, the West End, the famed Seawall, Stanley Park, Coal Harbour and
finishing downtown.
The BMO Vancouver Marathon is one Canada's oldest races, operated by the
Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit, volunteer run
organization. In 1972, 46 entrants ran around Stanley Park five times.
Today, the event draws runners from over 40 countries.
BMO Bank of Montreal enters its seventh year as the title sponsor of the
BMO Vancouver Marathon. "The Bank is proud to be aligned with such a
strong community-based organization that is well loved by spectators and
participants alike," said Joanne Gassman, Senior Vice President, BC & Yukon
Division, BMO Bank of Montreal.
Please visit www.bmovanmarathon.ca for more information.
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