FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
36th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon Announces
New Initiatives for 2015 Event
The 36th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon was officially launched
today with the announcement of an exciting new change to the CHEK Charity
Pledge Program, a new run local initiative and a volunteer recognition
program. In addition, the international reunion of the Marathon Maniacs
will coincide with the Marathon which will take place on Sunday, October
11, 2015.
For the second year CHEK News will be the title sponsor of the Charity
Pledge Program (CPP). Now in its 11th year, CPP has raised over $1.5
million by fundraising and donations. The charities raise awareness and
funds by encouraging individuals to run or walk for their individual
causes, and by collecting pledges. This year the Marathon will award each
charity with 20 registrations to sell for a donation of $100, generating
close to $40,000. "This means proceeds from these early registrations will
go directly to help people in our community," explained Cathy Noel, General
Manager of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon. The goal for CPP this
year is $175,000.
Twenty two (22) charities will take part in the program. The charities are
BC Cancer Foundation, Bolder Options, Greater Victoria Lifetime Networks,
Headway - Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson's Centre, Help Fill A Dream
Foundation of Canada, James Bay Community Project, KidSport Greater
Victoria, Mount St. Mary Hospital Foundation, MOVE Adapted Fitness and
Rehabilitation Society of B.C., MS Society of Canada, NEED2 Suicide
Prevention Education & Support, Oaklands Community Centre, Pacific Centre
Family Services Association, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy - Run For
Our Sons, Phoenix Human Services Association, Special Olympics BC, Team
Diabetes - Canadian Diabetes Association, USC Canada, Victoria Cool Aid
Society, World Vision Canada, Wounded Warriors Run BC and Young Moms
Program - YMCA-YWCA of Greater Victoria.
On behalf of the Victoria Marathon Society, Noel declared 2015 to be: The
year of the GLFVM Volunteer. "We want to recognize the importance of the
contributions of our "local" volunteers. Although this is an international
event, with impact on tourism and the economy -- local volunteers bring it
to life. We will celebrate volunteers each month in a special way." To
complement that, Noel also announced a run local initiative. "We are
launching #runlocalfirst and challenge all 10,500 TC10K participants to
sign up and RUN LOCAL. We have the domain www.runlocalfirst.com and dot ca
which will go directly to the runvictoriamarathon.com website."
Marathon Maniacs – dubbed "The World’s Most Insane Running Club" – will be
celebrating their international reunion by running the Marathon and Half
Marathon. "We are expecting over 500 Maniacs and Half Fanatics to run in
Victoria in October," said Noel. "For the second year they will also
provide us with pace leaders for the Marathon and Half Marathon. Having
their experienced pacers will help the participants stay on goal,
particularly those who want to qualify for Boston."
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 10.
To register:
www.runvictoriamarathon.com
For more details on the CHEK Charity Pledge Program:
http://www.runvictoriamarathon.com/Sponsors-Charities
###
|
