Posted: September 8, 2004

Athletics: 10th Anniversary Toronto Marathon announces $100,000 prize purse

CBC Broadcast set for October 23, 2004

TORONTO, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - Toronto Marathon race director Jay Glassman today announced that this year's October 17th Toronto Marathon will offer a prize purse in excess of $100,000. Top male and female elite athletes will compete for the largest marathon purse in Canada. The top male and female marathon finishers will go home $25,000 richer, with second place finisher taking in $10,000 each and $5,000 for third. The awards are given out through 10th place and include Masters Division for first, second and third.

New this year is the Canadian Maple Leaf Award, with $1000 going to the top male and female Canadian finishers. The Toronto Marathon will once again offer $1,000 for each full minute below the current course records of 2:15:17 for males and 2:37:52 for females.

Glassman also announced that this year's Toronto 10th Anniversary Marathon will be broadcast on Canada's national network, CBC Television Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 2:00 p.m. (EST). "We've really reached world- class status with this national broadcast. Participants and their families will have a great opportunity to watch their race, recap their performance and relive favorite memories," stated Glassman. Salmini Films of New York is shooting and producing this specialized coverage of this race. Salmini Films is a full service television production and sports marketing firm specializing in active sports for the past 25 years. (see sportfilm.com)

"We're thrilled to announce the $100,000 prize purse and CBC national coverage of our Toronto Marathon," noted Glassman. "Top elite athletes from around the world will be flying in to see our beautiful city and our fall colors that will be on display at this time of year. We're expecting more than 10,000 runners to participate in the 5K, Half Marathon and Marathon runs in October as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary.

The Toronto Marathon Corporate Challenge is sponsored by Honda. Over 200 teams are expected in this year's running, representing the top corporations in Canada. They'll compete in this eight-person relay from Mel Lastman Square to the Finish Line at Queen's Park.

"As more people discover this race, more people are also discovering the wonders of Toronto," boasts Glassman. "Not only are we the largest city in Canada, the value of the dollar is terrific, and Toronto is ethnically and culturally diverse. Our city boasts more than 5,000 restaurants, the best theatre outside of New York and London as well as direct flights from more than 40 U.S. cities and air and rail traffic service from anywhere in Canada."

Devine Racing, L.L.C. Chairman Chris Devine added, "Toronto is a world class city and a great place to break a marathon running record - whether you're an elite athlete or a first time marathon runner. With the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon now capped out at 40,000 runners and New York Marathon a lottery for admittance, the Toronto Marathon is an ideal race for those wanting the experience of running through a major downtown metro area."

The course highlights the gems of Toronto, running right through the city. Participants from over 33 countries are expected to come in for the race. Runners from the United States find it a particularly attractive race due to the proximity and ease of travel, as well as the cachet of running in another country without the worry of language barriers, personal security issues, customs, and long flights.

Presenting sponsor Metronews, the most popular free daily paper in the Greater Toronto area, is joined by media partner CHUM Limited and other sponsors including Honda, The Running Room, Cedar Springs, Ultima, Zone Bar, Asics, Pizza Pizza, GNC, The Great Canadian Sox Company, Holofiber and hotel sponsors Holiday Inn on King Toronto and the Hilton Toronto, along with a host of others.

The Princess Margaret Hospital, a global leader in the fight against cancer is the official charity of the races. The hospital is a special place of hope and caring where patients are offered the most advanced cancer treatments, Princess Margaret Hospital is also internationally recognized for its groundbreaking cancer research. Also benefiting are the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, the Achilles Track Club of Canada, the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario, Hemophilia Ontario and the Ontario Track & Field Association.

To sign up on line, visit www.torontomarathon.com or call (416) 972-1062.