BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon

I am not much of a runner, but I am indeed a Bank of Montreal customer (have been ever since I moved to Canada) and have always appreciated the support they give to non-profit and sporting events. I heard from my good friend Deirdre Rowland (who is doing the media relations for BMO Vancouver Marathon) about the upcoming (May 1st) event, and I wanted to write about it, particularly because I hear that over 15,000 registrants are expected to take part in the 40th BMO Vancouver Marathon including the marathon’s original winner, Tom Howard. I asked for some historical facts about the event, and this is what they shared with me.

In 1972 the event was known as the “British Columbia Marathon”, organized by the Lions Gate Road Runners. In the first year only 46 runners signed up to run the five loops of Stanley Park. In total 32 runners finished the race with Howard crossing the line in a time of 2:24:08.

When I attended the media event recently, I learned that BMO Bank of Montreal is entering its sixth year as the title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. The 2011 event features four races, the Marathon, 21.1 km Half Marathon, 8 km and McDonald’s Kids MaraFun; with the start/finish lines at Concord Place. The course is a Boston and New York Marathon qualifying event, and is attracting elite athletes and recreational runners from as many as 40 countries around the globe.

I enjoyed the fact that the Marathon’s social media strategy for 2011 has provided runners with support, feedback, and access to videos that offer virtual coaching tips, as well as the ability to have conversations with other runners and to find encouragement in tough times. They had also an online T-Shirt contest – for both designers and runners. Vancouver resident Masaru Horie won for his design of an animated cityscape – with close to 2,000 online voters deciding on the winning shirt in only three days.

The event is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society. The Society is a non-profit volunteer organization, with a goal to create a world class marathon and 21.1 km Half-Marathon. This is a fast and scenic course, providing both elite and recreational runners, walkers a lasting marathon experience, while enjoying Vancouver’s urban and natural beauty.

Online registration for the BMO Vancouver Marathon closes on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 11:59pm PDT.

Be Sociable, Share!