News Releases

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - May 5, 2013) -

Editors Note: There are four photos associated with this release.

Runners from 43 countries were pleasantly surprised with warm summer-like temperatures today in the 42^nd running of the BMO Vancouver Marathon.

Paul Kimugul from Kenya, and currently a resident of Vancouver, set a course record for males in the Half Marathon with a time of 1:04:18, beating the previous record by 30 seconds. Interviewed after the race, Kimugul said, "I expected to win here even though it was hard." In April, Kimugul won the 10k 2013 Vancouver Sun Run and is heading to Calgary for his next race.

It was the second year for runners in the new point-to-point course - from Queen Elizabeth Park, through 12 residential neighbourhoods, along Stanley Park's famous seawall to the finish line downtown.

Two other Kenyans, Thomas Omwenga and Benard Onsare, fought a close race to the finish in the Full Marathon. Omwenga said "at the 1k mark I knew I could win." Omwenga finished in first place with a time of 2:24:09 and Onsare finished two seconds later at 2:24:11. Onsare said, "At that point I felt I didn't have anything left to give and I said to Thomas, 'go'." Third place finisher, Gezahgn Eshetu, last's year BMO Vancouver Marathon champion, finished third. Omwenga, Onsare and Eshetu, friends off the course, fought a good race and were happy to congratulate each other as friends following the race.

Lucy Njeri from Kenya was the winning female in the Full Marathon with a time of 2:40:34. The top Canadian was Catrin Jones of Victoria with a time of 2:48:19.

Local runner, Natasha Fraser of Port Moody, finished in first place in the Half Marathon with a time of 1:15:19.

The Community Awards, presented by BMO Bank of Montreal, saw five winning groups compete for $10,000 in total prize money. "We were impressed to see such enthusiasm and community spirit exhibited by these charities and non-profit groups who had all signed up a minimum of 25 volunteers to assist the marathon," said Joanne Gassman, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal, BC & Yukon Division.

To be announced in the next few weeks by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, the five winning organizations, chosen for their community spirit and enthusiasm, will each receive $2,000 in prize money.

"There was an incredible spirit exhibited by runners, spectators and volunteers alike," said Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society. "I can't say thank you enough to the City of Vancouver including many, many civic agencies that assisted today, and to the locals who cheered and supported the event."

2013 BMO Vancouver Marathon Race Results:

Top Males - Full Marathon

1. Thomas Omwenga - 2:24.09
2. Benard Onsare - 2:24:11
3. Gezahgn Eshetu - 2:25:23

Top Females - Full Marathon

1. Lucy Njeri - 2:40:34
2. Alice Waruguru - 2:47:20
3. Catrin Jones - 2:48:19

Top Males - Half Marathon

1. Paul Kimugul - 1:04:18
2. Kip Kangogo - 1:04:52
3. Willy Kimosop - 1:06:33

Top Females - Half Marathon

1. Natasha Fraser - 1:15:19
2. Dayna Pidhoresky - 1:17:45
3. Catherine Watkins - 1:20:17

The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization.

For full race results go to: www.bmovanmarathon.ca.

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

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20130505-BMOVanMarathon13_1.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20130505-BMOVanMarathon13_2.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20130505-BMOVanMarathon13_3.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20130505-BMOVanMarathon13_4.jpg