News Releases

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 1, 2011) -

Editors Note: Photos for this release are available via Marketwire on the picture wire of The Canadian Press.

Today under brilliant sunshine, the 40th annual running of the BMO Vancouver Marathon welcomed 14,345 runners and walkers across the finish line.

Benard Onsare, formerly from Kenya, now living in Calgary, finished in first place with a time of 2:19:59. "In 2009 I ran alone and won. This year was different - I was running with other runners. But, I knew if I was patient that something good was going to happen," said Onsare.

In first place for the women was Keddi-Anne Sherbino from Kelowna, with a time of 2:43:38.

The 21-year old woman was running in only her second marathon having won her first marathon, the BMO Okanagan Marathon in October 2010. Sherbino was welcomed at the finish line by Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to finish the Boston Marathon and an inspiration to millions of women runners around the world.

"I just hoped to make the top ten," said Sherbino. "When you have the fans around you on the course it's awesome. All the support was amazing," added Sherbino.

The exuberant runners and walkers in the Full Marathon, 21.1 km Half Marathon, 8 km and McDonald's Kids MaraFun races represented 40 countries.

Winning the BMO MasterCard Cheer Challenge award of distinction, in the first year of this competition, was the Connaught Figure Skating Club. "We were excited to see these community groups cheering on the walkers and runners; it provided a memorable experience for all of us participating in the race," said Joanne Gassman, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal, BC & Yukon Division. Ten groups in all, ranging from schools to social service agencies and environmental groups, each won $500 in the BMO MasterCard Cheer Challenge.

While there were no course records set in the BMO Vancouver Marathon, Canadians did exceedingly well in both the 21.1 km Half Marathon and Full Marathon. In the Full Marathon Graeme Wilson was top Canadian male and Keddi-Anne Sherbino was the top Canadian female. In the Half Marathon, Jim Finlayson of Victoria, BC was the top Canadian male and Emily Tallen from
Kingston, Ontario was the top Canadian female.

The BMO Vancouver Marathon aims to be the premier west coast marathon, welcoming runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. It is one of the most scenic marathon routes taking participants through Vancouver's famous Stanley Park, False Creek, over the Burrard Street Bridge, and into the Kitsilano and Point Grey neighbourhoods.

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

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