Banque Scotia 21k et 5k de Montréal 2010 sets new records! Record<br>participants and fundraising raises more than $280,000 for 24 local charities

MONTREAL, April 18 /CNW Telbec/ - Close to 3,500 pairs of shoes crossed the finish line today at the 2010 Banque Scotia 21k et 5k de Montréal, raising more than $280,000 for 24 community charities through the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge. Top male runner Matt Loiselle of Toronto finished in 1:05:07 while Mary Davies of Ottawa finished in 1:14:45 in the women's competition.

"The Canadian Championship does not only crown the fastest runner, but also the toughest!" said Race Director Francois Lecot. "Although the weather conditions, a record number of runners got together at Parc Jean-Drapeau to help charities accomplish their goals. With nearly 3,500 runners, this event is a great success."

In the men's 21k, Toronto's Matt Loiselle took the lead over Burlington's Josephat Ongeri early in the race and managed to keep his pace until the finish line. In the women's 21k, Mary Davies of Ottawa ran alone for most of the race, trailed by Emily Tallen (Kingston), one minute behind.

    
    Results:
    Half-Marathon Male
    1. Matt Loiselle (Toronto, ON)       1:05:07
    2. Josephat Ongeri (Burlington, ON)  1:05:55
    3. Baghdad Rachem (Montreal, QC)     1:06:00

    Half-Marathon Female
    1. Mary Davies (Ottawa, ON)          1:14:45
    2. Emily Tallen (Kingston, ON)       1:15:41
    3. Krista Duchene (Brantford, ON)    1:15:55
    

For the 3rd year, the Banque Scotia 21k serves as the Canadian Half Marathon Championships and helps kick off the 2010 Canadian Championship Series. This year again, the best from coast to coast met in Montreal for an exciting race.

    
    Results:
    Canadian Championship Male
    1. Matt Loiselle (Toronto, ON)       1:05:07
    2. Steven Osaduik (Langley, BC)      1:06:05
    3. Réjean Chiasson (Ottawa, ON)      1:06:13

    Canadian Championship Female
    1. Emily Tallen (Kingston, ON)       1:15:41
    2. Krista Duchene (Brantford, ON)    1:15:55
    3. Marilyn Arsenault (Victoria, BC)  1:16:37
    

The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge successfully raised more than $280,000 for 24 local charities including the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Canada, the Action Centre of Montreal, the Farha Foundation and Le Chainon. The remarkable achievement exceeds last year's total of $87,000 for five local charities. As part of the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, 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.

"In its 4th year, Scotiabank is proud to celebrate the success of this great running event with our community once again," said Diane Giard, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Quebec/Eastern Ontario Region. "This year's Banque Scotia 21k et 5k de Montréal is a true celebration of community and athleticism coming together for 24 charities who have all participated in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, breaking fundraising records. We are looking forward to growing this event in the years to come!"

For complete race results, please visit www.canadarunningseries.com/monthalf

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2009 the Bank provided about $39 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, sports and arts and culture. Please visit us at www.scotiabank.com.

For further information: Jessica Dupras, High Road Communications, [phone], ext. 314, Cell. : [phone], [email protected]; Alexandre Lainesse, High Road Communications, [phone], ext. 310, Cell. : [phone], [email protected]