The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K promises an inspiring experience with a competitive roster of elite athletes

Vancouver, June 16, 2011 – The 13th annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K promises to be an inspiring celebration of athleticism as course records expect to be broken! At Canada's most scenic courses, runners can expect entertainment for the entire family to enjoy along the race route while they cheer for their favourite runner, or team of runners.

There are 40 great reasons to run this year… 40 official charities participating in the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, chaired by Vancouver Canuck forward Mason Raymond!

Through the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, charities vie to win one of three $5,000 prizes courtesy of Scotiabank. These prizes will be awarded to the charity with the most funds raised overall, the charity with the most funds raised per runner, and the charity with the most runners participating (with a minimum of $10 raised per runner). If you can't run, pledge your favourite runner or the charity of your choice to help them compete for the extra funding.

In the past thirteen years, the SVHM has raised more than $1.86 million for local charities through runner participation and spectator pledges.

Elites to Watch For:

Kip Kangogo (1): Kip is the back to back winner, 2009 & 2010, of the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon; will need to work hard to defend his title and aim for a three-peat. Kip this year won the Scotiabank Calgary 10k and has had many top five finishes at major races across Canada.

Dylan Wykes (2): This first time that Dylan has raced the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon, relocating to Vancouver this year to focus on training. This past December at the California International Marathon he ran a 2:12:39 to win and this March with the world's best in New York ran a new PR of 1:02:14 in the half, and was the 2010 CRS Men's Champion.

Matt Loiselle (3) & Rejean Chiasson (4): Training partners under the direction of Athletics Toronto (former Brooks Marathon Project) with Coach Hugh Cameron, Matt and Rejean, placed 2nd & 3rd respectively at the Canadian Half-Marathon Championships in April, hosted by the Banque Scotia 21k de Montréal.

Josianne Aboungono: 2010 Canada Running Series champion, Josianne has recently won the Scotiabank Calgary Half-Marathon and the Sporting Life Toronto 10k.

Keddi-Anne Sherbino: In only her second marathon the 21 year old Vancouver native, attending school in Kelowna, bested her marathon time by ten minutes to win the Vancouver Marathon in a time of 2:43:38.

Jane Cullis: A Vancouver native, currently finishing her PHD at the University of Toronto, she recently won the spring Toronto Half-Marathon in a time of 1:16:43, setting a new PB.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5k is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series. As one of Vancouver's premier running events, the SVHM attracts more than 6,000 runners and walkers of all levels, including many elite athletes and visitors to the city. The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K takes place on Sunday, June 26th starting at 7 a.m. at UBC for the Half and 9:15 a.m. in Stanley Park for the 5K. Register today at www.vancouverhalf.com.

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over the last 5 years.

Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.