FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
35th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon Launch
New Title Sponsor for The Charity Pledge Program and Increased Prize Money
(Victoria, BC - May 13, 2014) The 35th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria
Marathon was officially launched today with the announcement of a new title
sponsor for the Charity Pledge Program, as well as increased prize money
for elite athletes, a new recycling program for race day and New Balance
jackets for Marathon participants. The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon
takes place Sunday, October 12th, 2014.
CHEK News was announced as the new title sponsor of the 2014 Charity Pledge
Program (CPP). Now in its 10th year, CPP has raised over $1 million by
fundraising and donations. Twenty one (21) charities will take part in the
program this year. The charities raise awareness and funds by encouraging
individuals to run or walk for their individual causes, and by collecting
pledges. The charities are Arthritis Society, BC and Yukon, BC Cancer
Foundation, BC Children's Hospital Foundation, Canadian Diabetes
Association, Every Step Counts, Headway - Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's
Centre, Help Fill a Dream Foundation of Canada, James Bay Health &
Community Services Society, KidSport Greater Victoria, Lifetime Networks,
Mount St. Mary Foundation, MOVE Adapted Fitness & Rehabilitation Society of
BC, MS Society of Canada, NEED 2 Suicide Prevention and Support, Oaklands
Community Centre, Pacific Centre Family Services Association, Parent
Project Muscular Dystrophy, Phoenix Human Services Association, Recreation
Integration Victoria, USC Canada (Run for Biodiversity) and Young Parents
Support Network.
"CHEK has had a long standing relationship with the Marathon and this year
we will take our support to the next level by helping to raise awareness
about the Charity Pledge Program.," says Tanya Smith, Manager of Community
Relations & Promotions, CHEK. "We know the tremendous impact this program
has for all the charities. It's a great privilege to be involved."
New this year for CPP is that $1 from every Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K
Road Race entry will go towards the program. This could potentially bring
in an additional $11,000 based on final registration numbers.
"The charities continue to help the Victoria Marathon Society spread the
word and get new runners and walkers inspired to participate, and also
raise dollars for their charity of choice. It is a win - win partnership,"
says Cathy Noel, General Manager of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon.
The prize purse for the Dairyland Elite Athlete Program will be increased
by $15,000. This includes increased prize money in the Marathon and Half
Marathon for both men and women in the Men's and Women's Open - with the
purse going from three-deep to five-deep. The incentive bonus for a
Canadian breaking the course record remains at $5,000, but an additional
$1,000 will be awarded to the top Canadian in the Marathon, male and
female.
"We want to attract more Canadian runners to the event, and with course
records often out of reach for many runners, this could encourage greater
participation," says, Jonathan Foweraker, Coordinator, Dairyland Elite
Athlete Program.
Noel also announced some green initiatives: a partnership with Island
Return It to recycle paper cups and gel packs - it is estimated that
175,000 cups could be recycled on race day. For the second year, the
Marathon will partner with the Green Team at the Times Colonist to ensure
the course is clean after the event. Finally Noel announced that all
Marathon participants will receive New Balance jackets.
"We want everyone crossing the finish line on October 12th to celebrate
their event, the success of others and the commitment to running a local
event which has an impact on the entire community," says Noel.
The first registration deadline for the event is May 15. The registration
fees are $90 for the Marathon, $65 for the Half Marathon and $35 for the 8K
Road Race. From May 16 the regular registration fees will be $100 for the
Marathon, $75 for the Half Marathon and $40 for the 8K Road Race. The entry
fee for the Thrifty Foods Kids Run will remain at $17 until October 11.
To register:
www.runvictoriamarathon.com
For more details on the CHEK Charity Pledge Program:
www.runvictoriamarathon.com/cpp
For more details on the Dairyland Elite Athlete Program:
www.runvictoriamarathon.com/pdf/Dairyland_Elite_Athlete_
Program_Information_Package.pdf
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