News & Releases >> Aug 10 2006
NEWS Aug 10 2006
MINISTER OF THE MARATHON: George Smitherman signs up to run the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and raise $100,000 for charity
TORONTO. August 10th. George Smitherman, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has confirmed that on September 24th, he'll be trading-in marathon speeches and marathon bargaining sessions with the province's doctors and pharmaceutical companies for his marathon shoes. The focused, determined and hard-driving member for Toronto Centre-Rosedale will be running the full 42 kilometres of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to personally raise $100,000 for the George Hull Centre for Children & Families. The George Hull Centre is one of 46 official charities in the 2006 Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge at the marathon. Combined, they expect to raise $750,000.
Literally "walking the walk", not just "talking the talk", Smitherman will be going more than the extra yard. In fact, he'll be going 46,125 yards, from Roy Thomson Hall at Wellington and Simcoe in downtown Toronto, out to the Humber River, back to the Beaches, out on the Leslie Street Spit, and back to Roy Thomson. Not tired yet? In a straight line, that's an easy run from Toronto City Hall out to the Ford plant in Oakville. Or if you prefer loops to a straight line, that's almost 29 times around Queen's Park Circle.
"We're delighted to see such a prominent community leader embracing running, and its ultimate symbol of the marathon," said Race Director Alan Brookes. "He is really leading by example and showing Ontarians that he is passionate about HEALTH, healthy lifestyles, and the prevention of sickness. The running community is thrilled that we now actually have a 'Minister of the Marathon'!"
The "marathon", has recently been described by Nick Bitel, CEO of the Flora London Marathon, as "THE life-experience of the everyday person in our era". On September 24th, Minister Smitherman certainly won't be alone. He'll be running alongside 3,000 others in the full marathon, 6,000 in the half, and another 2,000 in the 5K. These 11,000 runners will be drawn to Toronto's Waterfront from every Canadian province, more than 40 American states, and 30+ countries worldwide.
George Smitherman caught the bug in 2003. He originally started running "just to get in shape and lose some weight. "I got hooked, and ran the Scotiabank Toronto HALF Marathon in 2004 and 2005", said Smitherman. "Now, I really like the stress-relief and freedom that comes with it. I love getting out and exploring around the province in my runs—which is where I'll be doing most of my mileage this summer. And I love running in Toronto Centre-Rosedale, my riding, just around Queen's Park or hammering up Poplar Plains Hill after a tough day. I've tried to build my life on a theme of continuous improvement. The half, the marathon, and running in general, provide tremendous physical and mental challenges, with the goal of always trying to do better for your self, and for others."
The Minister raised about $6,000 for Easter Seals when he ran the Scotia Half in 2004; he increased this to $25,000 collected for George Hull in last year's 21km.
"This year, it just seemed like the right time to step things up and do the full monty, and go for the $100,000 in funds raised for the George Hull Centre."
He now manages to fit in 3 long runs a week, and then whatever else he can, around a highly-demanding ministerial schedule.
"Training does not fit into his schedule easily," said Press Secretary David Spencer, "and he has to take advantage of openings as they present themselves. From a staffer's point of view, he seems always to have his training gear at the ready these days. This summer, many of his training runs will take place as he travels through small town Ontario, and throughout the province, on business."
If he can fit in training for a marathon, anyone can, says Smitherman, and he invites everyone to come out and join him on September 24th weekend. "There's a distance for everyone—the 5k as well as the 21k and 42k. And if you can't come out on the 24th, you can pay NOT to run! Put a few dollars on me for George Hull Centre, at: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/charity/georgehull.htm. I'd love to chat more, but I gotta run!"