Posted: May 7, 2006

Athletics: 14,395 Participate in BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon, Canada's Largest Marathon

Canadian Male and Female Runners Finish in Top Five in Full Marathon

Kassahun Kabiso from Peekskill, NY crosses the finish line first with a time of 2:18:29

VANCOUVER, May 7 /CNW/ - Today marks the 35th anniversary of the Vancouver International Marathon, now known as the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon. There were 14,395 triumphant runners, walkers and wheelchair participants in the marathon today.

In 1972, with just 72 runners, the original course was comprised of just five loops around Stanley Park. Today, the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon took runners along a scenic 42 km route that included False Creek, Gastown, and Stanley Park, across the Burrard Street Bridge, through Kitsilano to the finish line at BC Place Stadium.

"We are thrilled to be the title sponsor of Canada's largest marathon; bringing together so many participants from British Columbia, across the country and around the world," said Richard Rudderham, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal, BC & Yukon Division. "It was a terrific day that could not have happened without the tireless efforts of the Vancouver International Marathon Society and the close to 2,000 volunteers who all helped to make this year's marathon the best yet."

Graeme Wilson from Vancouver, BC is the first Canadian to cross the finish line and fifth overall in the full marathon with a time of 2:28:45

BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon Fast Facts

    TOP MALES - FULL MARATHON
    1. Kassahun Kabiso, Peekskill, NY - 2:18:29
    2. Joseph Kahugu, Kenya - 2:18:33
    3. Greg Crowther, Seattle, WA - 2:23:25

    TOP FEMALES - FULL MARATHON
    1. Malgorzata Sobanska, Poland - 2:37:06 (COURSE RECORD)
    2. Mary Akor, Gardena, CA - 2:45:33
    3. Rima Dobovik, Vinnitsa, Ukraine - 2:46:31

    TOP MALE CANADIANS - FULL MARATHON
    1. Graeme Wilson, Vancouver, BC 2:28:45 (5th OVERALL)
    2. Ryan Cain, Vancouver, BC 2:38:07 (7th OVERALL)
    3. Craig McMillan, Vancouver, BC 2:42:07 (8th OVERALL)

    TOP FEMALE CANADIANS - FULL MARATHON
    1. Suzanne Evans, New Westminster, BC - 2:50:30 (4th OVERALL)
    2. Judit Leroy, Victoria, BC - 2:51:55 (5th OVERALL)
    3. Lisa Polizzi, Vancouver, BC - 2:58:38 (7th OVERALL)

    TOP MALES - HALF MARATHON
    1. Jim Finlayson, Victoria, BC - 1:08:45
    2. Miguel Angel Mendoza, Mexico, DF - 1:11:39
    3. Jonas Holmberg, Falun, Sweden - 1:12:31

    TOP FEMALES - HALF MARATHON
    1. Sally Bergesen, Seattle, WA - 1:22:51
    2. Barbara Brych, Nelson, BC - 1:23:37
    3. Gill Walker, Vancouver, BC - 1:25:44

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (ALL EVENTS): 14,395

NUMBER OF CANADIANS (ALL EVENTS): 10,382

NUMBER FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA: 8,660

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES REPRESENTED: 35

OLDEST MALE FULL MARATHON: 78 years old - Ryozo Mizutani, Yokohama, Japan

OLDEST FEMALE FULL MARATHON: 86 years old - Mary Carr, Santa Fe, New Mexico

For the first time, cash prizes were awarded to top finishers from Mosaik MasterCard. Total prize money was more than $25,000.

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