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Media Advisory-The Running Craze: BMO Hosts Panel to Discuss the Popularity of Running and Marathons in North America

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - April 25, 2011) - As the BMO Vancouver Marathon celebrates its 40th year, more than 15,000 runners are estimated to cross the finish line. Entry numbers in running events, including half and full marathons, have seen a noticeable increase in the last decade. BMO will be hosting a media panel to discuss the growing phenomenon of marathons.

The panelists will discuss the following:

  • Popularity of running and walking clubs
  • Demographics of the BMO Vancouver Marathon
  • Canadian parents' attitude towards health and fitness for their children
WHEN Thursday, April 28, 2011, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT
   
WHERE Bentall 3, 595 Burrard Street, 9th Floor, BMO Harris Private Banking Boardroom
   
WHO Media Panel:
  Kathrine Switzer - first woman to run in the Boston Marathon
  Roger Robinson - former elite marathoner, and leading historian on running
  John Stanton - Founder, Running Room
  Brian Torrance - Elite Athlete Coordinator, Vancouver International Marathon Society
  Henry Donkers - Vice President, Vancouver Suburban District, BMO Bank of Montreal
   
WHAT Brief comments from each panellist followed by a Q & A
  Panelists will be available for one-on-one interviews after the formal media conference

Panelist Profiles:

Roger Robinson - after a 30-year career as world-ranked runner, Roger Robinson is one of the leading authors, speakers and historians on running. He represented England and New Zealand in world championships and he had record-breaking age-group victories in the Boston, New York, Vancouver and other marathons. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Roger's personal best marathon time (2:18:44) that he ran in Vancouver.

Kathrine Switzer - an authority on running and women's sports for more than 30 years. She is best known for pioneering the official entrance of women into the marathon, beginning in the late 1960's with the Boston Marathon. An Emmy Award-winning TV commentator, Kathrine has covered major road running events including the Olympics, the Goodwill and Commonwealth Games and almost all televised editions of the Boston, New York, and Los Angeles Marathons, as well as hundreds of local races around the world.

John Stanton- has become the face and voice for running in Canada. John started his passion for running over 30 years ago and has since built the Running Room with over 100 stores across Canada. In 1981, the then out-of-shape, overweight, food executive realized he had to change his lifestyle. He secretly began running before dawn. John went on to run over 60 marathons, hundreds of road races, and numerous triathlons. His pre-dawn runs would ultimately become John Stanton's 10:1 run/walk combination that has helped close to a million people do everything from learn to run to complete marathons, upright and smiling.

Brian Torrance - has been the Elite Athlete Coordinator for the BMO Vancouver Marathon for several years and has been a race director for numerous runs and marathons. He is currently Director of Ever Active Schools in Alberta. He is an avid runner representing Canada at the World Mountain Running Championships in 2008. He sits on the board of Athletics Alberta, and is the race director for the Canadian Mountain Running Championships.

Henry Donkers - an avid soccer player since youth, Henry began running in marathons eight years ago and has participated in 16 marathons and ultra marathons and was winner of his age category (50 – 55 years) at the BMO Vancouver Marathon in 2009. His best marathon time was 2:57:01. Henry was appointed Vice President, Vancouver Suburban District for BMO Bank of Montreal in March, 2011.

 
For further information:
Media contacts:
Laurie Grant
BMO Financial Group Media Relations
604-665-7596
laurie.grant@bmo.com

Deirdre Rowland
Media Relations Coordinator
778-888-9974
media@bmovanmarathon.ca
www.bmovanmarathon.ca