Canada Running Series announces new prize money for 2014 Western events, and commitment to Canadian and British Columbian athletes

December 16, 2013 — Vancouver, BC. Canada Running Series is pleased to announce an increase in prize monies for competitive runners at its three Western events in 2014, with a strong emphasis on encouraging the development of Canadian and British Columbian athletes.

Prizing at the Vancouver Spring Run Off 8K [March 23], Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5K [June 22], and Vancouver Eastside 10K [Sept 13] will total $25,000 plus event record bonuses — the largest in the 15 year history of CRS' Vancouver races.

Each of the Western events will see an increase in the prize money being awarded, and an increase in the depth of awards. The top 5 Canadian runners will be rewarded at each race, plus the top 5 British Columbian runners. The distribution of the prize money for each event can be found on the canadarunningseries.com website.

Canada Running Series has already earned a strong reputation for bringing the very best in Canadian distance running to town, from Vancouver to Toronto to Montreal, building excitement in the running community and giving top Canadians the chance to shine and earn vital funds to support their training. In 2012, Olympians Reid Coolsaet and Eric Gillis both used the Scotiabank Vancouver Half as their final tune up before the London Olympic Marathon.

The 2013 races brought Lanni Marchant, Krista DuChene, Rob Watson and Kate Van Buskirk to Vancouver, all of whom represented Canada at the World Championships in Moscow in August. Then Olympian Dylan Wykes won the Eastside 10K in his first race back after London 2012.

“We really want to support an increase in depth and competitiveness among the local British Columbian runners,” said Clifton Cunningham, CRS Western Race Director “while continuing to support the top level national runners, which we attract to our events. East-West rivalries and exciting head-to-head competition are always great in Canada. And such competition and rewards will help to raise the bar, we hope, on the road to the Pan Am Games in Toronto 2015, and then Rio.”

The Canada Running Series, kicks of 2014 with the Vancouver Modo Spring Run-Off 8km run, taking place in Stanley Park on Sunday, March 23rd.

About Canada Running Series:

Canada Running Series, prides itself on organizing great races that benefit communities, the sport and on being industry leader in innovation for Canada. In 2013 the Series attracted 56,000 runners over 8 events and raised $5.8 million for 300 community charities.

Registration is now open with event details at www.canadarunningseries.com for the 2014 running season.

Source: Canada Running Series