Posted: May 5, 2005

Athletics: Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K to raise funds for VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation's Your Health - Your Choice Program

VANCOUVER-To enhance their event experience, participants in the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K - taking place Sunday, June 26, 2005 - can run to improve patient care, provide new, much-needed equipment and support world-class research at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and UBC Hospitals. These hospitals serve all British Columbians and are recognized internationally for their experienced and talented medical and research teams.

Last year's run raised more than $70,000 for the Breast Cancer Reconstruction Program at UBC Hospital. This year participants can choose to raise funds for this program or for the cause that means the most to them, Your Health - Your Choice. Causes include the in it for life Fund, The Spine Centre, the Eye Care Centre, the ALS Clinic or the Ovarian Cancer Research Program. For more choices, visit the event website at canadarunningseries.com/svhm.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K is one of the most scenic and easiest courses ever. The exciting new, chip-timed course for the Half-Marathon starts at UBC Winter Sports Centre, winds through the endowment lands, past the beautiful ocean beaches of Vancouver, to finish at Second Beach in historic Stanley Park. All Half-Marathon runners receive finisher medals and New Balance technical shirts.

The new 5K course starts and finishes at Second Beach/Ceperley Park in Stanley Park. The course will travel past Lost Lagoon to Brockton Point and back. The course is not chip-timed and is open to runners and walkers alike.

Prizes for this year's Half-Marathon include $1500 for 1st place (open to men and women), $750 for 2nd and $500 for 3rd. Runners can also compete for honours and awards in the B.C. Athletics Provincial Championship.

The Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series, and is also part of the Sun Run Series. For more information on the event, please visit www.canadarunningseries.com/svhm. For information on the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, please call (604) 875-4676 or visit www.supportvgh.ca.