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NEWS Aug 27 2003
News Release—Why run a marathon?
August 27, 2003
Why run a marathon? Record numbers for Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon tell tale behind new running boom.
"I'm turning 50."
"My girlfriend is making me do it!"
"To justify the beer."
"I just had a baby."
"I'm tired of being lazy and overweight."
"To prove I can do anything."
"I'm running for my mom, who's ill."
"Training for a mid-life crisis."
"To pick up chicks."
"Spiritual resurrection."
"I'm getting married that afternoon, and this is my warmup."
"I am insane."
- Quotes from the "Why are you running?" section of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon online registration form
TORONTO — [August 28, 2003] — With six weeks to go until the 4th running of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on September 28th, registrations are up over 20% from the same time last year. Said event manager, Carm Federico "Five weeks out last year, we had around 1,000 runners signed up. Today, we already have over 1,500 and we expect to grow from 5,100 last year to well over 6,000 this year."
So what's going on out there?
It seems the second running boom is in full bloom — and it's being driven by the king of distance races, the 42km marathon. Participation in marathons and half-marathons is up everywhere, according to the USA Track & Field Road Running Information Center. Last year, there were 450,000 finishers in American marathons, compared to 424,500 in 2001.
This same trend is evident in Canada with the Vancouver and Ottawa Marathons drawing record numbers of 12,000 and 22,000 respectively. What's more, participation in 10km races seems to be rising in Canada: this year's Vancouver 10km Sun Run, Canada's largest run, grew to 49,000 participants from 42,000 in 2002.
Two factors are driving these increases, says Alan Brookes, race director of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. "The first is women — more and more of them are choosing to run a marathon as a meaningful life experience, and the emergence of women's running groups is further proof that running a marathon has now become a women's sport. Indeed, for the first time Vancouver Half-Marathon drew 64% women entrants. Another great example of this in Toronto is Jean's Marines, the group of middle-aged women founded by Toronto physician, Dr. Jean Marmoreo. Last year, they brought 100 women to our start line; this year, they'll be bringing 200."
"The second factor powering marathons is running for charity. With powerful new technologies that let family and friends of runners contribute on-line, it's easier than ever to run for a cause."
"For example, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has the 'Scotiabank Charity Challenge' icanpledge.com that enables runners and others to donate directly and almost instantly to four official charities, as well as to another 30+ 'recognized charities'. The different fundraising groups are represented by well-known Torontonians and everyone is encouraged to make their race extra meaningful by running for the charity of their choice."
At this year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, NDP Leader Jack Layton is running for the White Ribbon Campaign; Toronto mayoral candidate Barbara Hall is running for Easter Seals; Jean Marmoreo is running for Give Girls A Chance; Michael Hlinka of CBC Radio's "Metro Morning" will go the 42 km for Hands of Hope and the Globe and Mail's Gayle MacDonald is running for Run for Liane — Sick Children Foundation.
For full information on the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon,
see: www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.
For interviews please contact Carm Federico, Event Manager 416-944-2765
ext. 502
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