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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 25, 2013) - This Saturday, more than 1,200 runners (and walkers) will participate in the 18^th annual Pride and Remembrance Run, presented by BMO. The race is a long-standing part of Toronto Pride Week, which is devoted to the celebration and support of the LGBT community.

Presented by BMO Financial Group, the Pride and Remembrance Run is the largest fundraising event held during Pride Week. This year, the proceeds will benefit three Toronto organizations: the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, Planned Parenthood Toronto and the Pride and Remembrance Foundation.

"This is a friendly race, with a really festive atmosphere," said Gavin Clark, Investment Advisor, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and Chair of BMO Pride, BMO's LGBT employee resource group. "It's all part of being able to express yourself while getting some exercise and raising funds for three very worthy charities."

The five-kilometre race kicks off with a stretching and yoga session led by Michael DeCorte of Jock Yoga at the start line. Many teams and individuals dress in funny and outrageous costumes for the race, which begins and ends at the intersection of Church and Wellesley.

Also running this year is another longstanding participant, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Canada's first openly gay premier. Following the run, Ms. Wynne will be speaking in Cawthra Square Park and presenting medals to the top fundraisers and fastest runners on behalf of the Board of the Pride and Remembrance Association.

WHO:	Bernardine Perreira, Co-President, Pride and Remembrance Association
	Deborah Berwick, Co-President, Pride and Remembrance Association
	Pia Schmidt-Hansen, BMO Pride
	Kristyn Wong-Tam, City Councillor
	Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario
WHAT:	2013 Pride and Remembrance Run presented by BMO Financial Group
WHEN:	Saturday, June 29, 2013
	9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
	Race begins at 10 a.m.
	Awards Ceremony at 11:00 a.m.
WHERE:	Corner of Church and Wellesley Streets (Start / Finish line)
	Cawthra Square Park - Awards ceremony

About the Pride and Remembrance Run

In 1996, three gay athletes founded the Pride and Remembrance Run, an annual five-kilometre run / three-kilometre walk coinciding with Toronto's Pride Week. It was dedicated to partnering the themes of PRIDE and REMEMBRANCE with community celebration and personal achievement.

The Pride and Remembrance Run has become an annual tradition promoting and fostering community spirit, goodwill, volunteerism and sportsmanship in the LGBT community. For more information visit www.priderun.org.

About BMO and Diversity

From the development of the first Registered Disability Savings Plan to sponsorship of the Pride and Remembrance Run, BMO is committed to promoting accessibility, inclusivity and equality. This commitment extends to initiatives outside the workplace into all communities where BMO operates.