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TORONTO, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Nearly 500 students in Grades 4-to-8 took to
the streets of Toronto today to participate in the new Marathon Kids program
as part of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.
The Marathon Kids program started in September as a project promoting
active and healthy lifestyles at a young age. Running in daily intervals since
the start of the school year, students completed the last five kilometers of a
full marathon in this morning's event.
"Scotiabank is proud to support the young people who are the building
blocks of our community," said Scotiabank President and Chief Executive
Officer Rick Waugh. "We view this event as a celebration of athleticism and
appreciate having an opportunity to make a positive difference in the
community."
All fourth and fifth grade classes of Toronto's Grenoble Public School
were joined by their principal in this year's run, bringing 224 kids out to
the finish line.
"It has been fantastic to implement daily physical activity into the
students' lives," said Grenoble public school teacher Mark Bondy. "The
Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has given these kids the opportunity to
set goals in their minds and monitor how they're doing each day. How many
adults have been able to say they have completed a marathon in their lives?"
The Marathon Kids were joined on Toronto's waterfront by about 10,000
runners from over 30 countries and most U.S. states. There they enjoyed
Canada's fastest course and plenty of community celebrations amid Toronto's
longest street festival.
"This race has been the biggest and most exciting race we've had," said
Alan Brookes, Race Director. "The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has
raised more than $750,000 for over 40 charities as part of the Scotiabank
Group Charity Challenge, which brought the international community together
along one stretch of pavement."
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live
and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally
and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic
activities, in 2005 the Bank provided more than $40 million in sponsorships
and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas
of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide
Web at www.scotiabank.com.
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