Canada’s largest race weekend breaks records

Strong performances by athletes matched by record-breaking fundraising

May 24, 2015 (OTTAWA) – As the 2015 edition of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend winds down, organizers taking stock are pleased with strong athletic performances, record-breaking participation, good weather and outstanding fundraising efforts.

A major highlight of the weekend was Kenyan Gladys Cherono’s course record-breaking run of 30:56 in the 10 km race on Saturday evening – 25 seconds faster than the previous record.

Organizers are also pleased with the results of Canadian athletes in the 10 km distance – the site this year for Athletic Canada’s 10 km Canadian Championships. Two Canadian women placed in the top five overall, and three Canadian men finished in the top 10.

2015 registration figures

RACE PARTICIPANTS
Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon 5,855
Scotiabank Ottawa Half-Marathon 14,288
Ottawa 10K 13,227
HTG 5K 10,848
2K 4,103
Scotiabank Kids Marathon 1,000
Elites 118
TOTAL 49,439

Participants running for charitable causes outdid themselves this year, raising $800,000 and counting – a significant jump over last year’s total of $625,000. Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, participants running for one of 40 charities were able to join a high profile, turnkey fundraising initiative.

To see a list of charities involved in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, visit the Scotiabank Charity Challenge please visit https://www.runottawa.ca/participating-charities/.

Quotes

“This has been a tremendously successful and memorable race weekend. The outstanding performance of the athletes, together with the support of more than 2,500 volunteers, the National Capital Commission, Ottawa Police Services, the City of Ottawa emergency staff and other organizations have helped to make the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend a success year after year,” said John Halvorsen, President and Race Director of Run Ottawa.

“This year’s Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon brought together talented athletes and recreational runners to strive for personal bests and raise money for great community causes,” said Carole Chapdelaine, Scotiabank’s Senior Vice President, Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region. “We especially want to thank all those who took part in this year’s Scotiabank Charity Challenge who made their run even more meaningful by giving back to over 40 charities that do so much for our community.”

About the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

The 2015 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend welcomed more than 49,400 participants in six races, including the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon, the Scotiabank Half-Marathon, the Ottawa 10K, the HTG Sports 5K, the 2K and Scotiabank Kids Marathon. Two of the weekend’s events have received top honours from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). The Ottawa 10K is one of only four Gold label 10K races in the world, and the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon is designated Silver label. The 2016 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will take place May 28-29, 2016. Visit us at www.runottawa.ca.

About Scotiabank: 

Through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank and its employees support causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has contributed on average $50 million annually over the last five years to community causes around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada’s international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and parts of Asia. We are dedicated to helping our 21 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking. With a team of more than 86,000 employees and assets of $852 billion (as at January 31, 2015) Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). Scotiabank distributes the Bank’s media releases using Marketwired. For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankNews.

Information:
Annie Boucher
Media relations
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
613-863-3702
boucher@fusecommunications.ca
@aboucherfuse |   @ottawamarathon

Diana Hart
Scotiabank
diana.hart@scotiabank.com
Cell (647)821-3849