Posted: May 2, 2006

Athletics: Where Else Can You Find 75,000 Safety Pins, 18,000 Sponges and 4,000 Vaseline Sticks?

Only at the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon!

VANCOUVER: May 7th marks the 35th anniversary of the Vancouver International Marathon, Canada's largest marathon. The marathon has grown from only 72 participants in 1972 to an anticipated 15,000 this year. The original course was comprised of just five loops around Stanley Park. Now, the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon takes runners along a scenic 42 km route that includes False Creek, Gastown, and Stanley Park, across the Burrard Street Bridge, through Kitsilano to the finish line at BC Place Stadium.

Vancouver will play host to a potential record number of 15,000 participants this year, including:
- More than 1,000 Canadians from across the country
- More than 35 nations represented
- More than 1,800 children will be participating in the Kids MaraFun
- 554 walkers are currently registered
- To date, more than 60 per cent more women than men have registered to run the Half Marathon

It is expected that more than 2,000 volunteers will assist with the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon this year.

Ever wonder what goes into hosting Canada's largest marathon? Based on last year's marathon, the following items were used:
- 75,000 safety pins for runner bibs
- 18,000 sponges
- 4,000 Vaseline sticks
- 169 portable toilets
- 24 entertainment stations, 14 water stations and 12 medical stations
- 175 - 6 pound bags of ice
- 15,000 of each of the following: juice boxes, bananas, oranges, doughnuts, bagels and yogurt

In addition, nine DJs and various music performed throughout the day.

The total economic impact to the local economy for last year's marathon was estimated to be $20 million.

The race website is at: www.vanmarathon.ca.

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