2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Raises Over $3.6 Million for Community Charities

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - December 10, 2014) -  Through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, over $3.6 million was raised in support of 173 local charities by the runners and supporters of this year's Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. To celebrate their fundraising efforts, prizes were presented to charities at the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Awards Night in Toronto on December 9.

"Congratulations to all of the winners of the Scotiabank Charity Challenge Awards, from the charities who did incredible fundraising this year to the neighbourhoods who had incredibly enthusiastic cheering sections to our always entertaining costume runners!" said Race Director Alan Brookes. "You all contribute so much to the marathon and we appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to helping give back to the community this year."

This year, the charities raised $3,669,264. Since its inception in 2003, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge in Toronto has raised a grand total of more than 24 million dollars for local charities. At Scotiabank sponsored road races across the country, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge has raised over $38 million for community charities.

"We would like to thank everyone who decided to make their run even more meaningful by fundraising for the 2014 Scotiabank Charity Challenge," said Claude Norfolk, Scotiabank Senior Vice President of Toronto Region. "The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is the heart of the marathon, raising much needed funds for charities which do valuable work in our community. We are proud to support the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and want to encourage runners to take part in the Charity Challenge in 2015!"

In addition to the total amount of dollars raised by participating charities, the Scotiabank Charity Challenge awarded first, second and third place cash prizes to participating charities in each of three categories totalling $33,000. Each category winner received $6,000 with the second place charity receiving $3,000 and $2,000 going to the third place charity.

The 2014 winners are:

Highest fundraising dollars raised:

1. SickKids Foundation - $173,347
2. Fragile X Research Foundation of Canada - $97,465
3. Epilepsy Toronto - $78,184

Most participating fundraisers:

1. Children's Aid Foundation - 121 Runners 
2. Fountain of Love and Life - 119 Runners
3. Giant Steps Toronto Inc. - 110 Runners 

Highest fundraising dollars per fundraiser:

1. Yee Hong Community Wellness Foundation - $13,340 / participant
2. Glaucoma Research Society of Canada - $3,053 / participant
3. Lymphoma Canada - $2382 / participant

The Scotiabank Neighbourhood Challenge was created in order for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon to have a sustainable, year-round impact on our local neighbourhoods, groups, charities and families. The Neighbourhood Challenge gives back to those communities that the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon course runs through. It's a friendly competition amongst neighbourhoods to see who puts together the best cheering stations along the race route. Thousands of supporters gather along the length of the course to celebrate our different neighbourhoods.