Runner's & Triathlete's Web  Athletics: Decisive victories in men's and women's divisions at today's Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon

Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge raises record amount for 15 local charities

VANCOUVER, June 28Kenyan Kip Kangogo cruised to a convincing win in 1:03:35 -- more than a minute ahead of the second place finisher in the men's half-marathon division — leading a record field of more than 4,350 runners at the 11th Annual Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon (SVHM). Lioudmila Kortchaguina of Thornhill, ON had a similarly easy time of things, taking the women's half-marathon title in 1:16:10, almost two minutes ahead of Calgary's Lisa Harvey. Another 750 individuals participated in the event's 5K fun run/walk. The race attracted runners from eight provinces and 20 countries, including almost 200 American runners. The Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge also broke this year's fundraising goal, raising an impressive $312,000 -- and counting -- for 15 local charities.

The 29-year-old Kangogo ran shoulder to shoulder with fellow Kenyan Willy Kimosop, who surged immediately after the 10K mark (29:22), before dropping off in the later stages to hang on for 4th (1:06:02). Kimosop, 22, who trains with Kangogo in Lethbridge, AB, won the 2009 Vancouver Sun Run and Times Colonist 10K. Kangogo made his decisive move on the rise from Jericho to 4th Avenue, opening up a 100 metre gap to drop both Kimosop and second place finisher Josephat Ongeri (1:04:53). Giitah Macharia of Oakville, ON, who has struggled of late, had to come in under 66 minutes to "prove fitness" to Athletics Canada and claim his place on the national marathon squad going to the world Championships in August. He ran a tactical race to finish third in 1:05:35 and should be on his way to Berlin. Women's half-marathon winner Lioudmila Kortchaguina led the women wire to wire, redeeming herself following poor performances in 2007 and '08 when she struggled with a hip injury.

Half-Marathon Male

1. Kip Kangogo, Kenya 1:03:35

2. Josephat Ongeri, Kenya 1:04:53

3. Giitah Macharia, Oakville, ON 1:05:35

4. Willy Kimosop, Kenya 1:06:02

5. Baghdad Rachem, Montreal, QC 1:06:35

Half-Marathon Female

1. Lioudmila Korthchaguina, Thornhill, ON 1:16:10

2. Lisa Harvey, Calgary, AB 1:18:05

3. Josiane Aboungono, Toronto, ON 1:20:34

4. Katherine Moore, Vancouver, BC 1:21:12

5. Nathalie Goyer, Bruno, QC 1:22:20

Masters Male (40 - 44)

1. Terry Gehl, St. Charles QC 1:11:21

2. Keefer Whan, Mount Vernon, WA 1:16:38

3. Dave Stephens, North Vancouver, BC 1:16:52

Masters Female (40 - 44)

1. Nathalie Goyer, Bruno, QC 1:22:20

2. Janette Purdham, Vancouver, BC 1:25:56

3. Rebecca Reid, Vancouver, BC 1:26:51

This year's event also saw the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge expand to 15 local charities:

	        -  Adoptive Families Association of B.C.
	        -  Alzheimer Society of B.C.
	        -  The Arthritis Society, B.C. & Yukon Division
	        -  BC Cancer Foundation
	        -  BC Children's Hospital Foundation
	        -  Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver
	        -  Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland
	        -  BC SPCA
	        -  CNIB
	        -  The Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon
	        -  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
	        -  MS Society of Canada - BC & Yukon Division
	        -  St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
	        -  Tapestry Foundation for Health Care
	        -  YWCA Vancouver

In its 11 year history, the SVHM has raised more than $1.2 million for local community charities. Scotiabank is again sponsoring three team prizes, each worth $5,000, for the charities that raise the most money, raise the most money per runner, and have the most runners participating (with a minimum of $10 raised per runner). The awards will be announced after July 15th, the deadline for all pledges to be handed in.

For complete race results, please visit CanadaRunninSeries.com.

About the Scotiabank Vancouver Half-Marathon & 5K:
Launched in 1999, the event, which is part of the prestigious Canada Running Series, features one of the most scenic routes, starting at UBC Thunderbird Stadium to Stanley Park, a 5K "fun run/walk" and the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge, which offers a unique opportunity for runners and walks to raise funds for local community charities. Growing in popularity year by year, the half-marathon attracts elite runners and participants from across Canada, points in the U.S. and 20 countries.

About Scotiabank:
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 2008 the Bank provided more than $43 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 ScotiaBank.com.

Photos: John C Watson