Running: Athletics Canada along with Ottawa and Toronto Marathons take aim at 2009 World Marathon Cup

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 11:46 PM

Finally, the Leafs and Senators get along!

OTTAWA – Athletics Canada is pleased to announce today that a joint venture has been established with the ING Ottawa Marathon and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, both key players in the road race community. The pilot project’s objective is to enter a team at the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) 2009 World Marathon Cup.

Martin Goulet, Athletics Canada’s Chief High Performance Officer said; “Ultimately our objective is to re-establish Canadian marathoning to meet the levels of performance necessary to be competitive at the world level.” Goulet adds, “We have noted the significant efforts to support Canada’s elite distance runners by our two road race partners and, more recently, the emergence of strong distance running programs lead by proven coaches. With the Berlin 2009 World Cup coming up, the timing is right for Athletics Canada to send a signal to our developing and ambitious distance runners, providing a path to excellence in marathoning”.

The project will be funded jointly by Athletics Canada, the ING Ottawa Marathon and the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Athletes will be selected based on performances, until the team is complete (5 per team), in the priority order listed below:

Marathon Selection Process

"There are tremendous athletes in this country and we feel we must provide the right environment for them to develop into world-class competitors. This goes beyond organizing one race," says John Halvorsen, Race Director for the ING Ottawa Marathon. "By providing them with opportunities in the top races in Canada and supporting the team financially, we hope that we will be able, as a country, to cheer on our marathoners in upcoming world competition."

Performances achieved between January 1, 2008 and May 24, 2009 which meet IAAF criteria will be considered. The 2009 World Marathon Cup takes place in Berlin, Germany as part of the World Championships in Athletics held August 15 to 23 2009.

Athletics Canada is the national sport governing body for the sport of track and field, cross-country running, road running and road racing.

About The ING And Scotiabank Marathons
ING Ottawa Marathon (INGO) and Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (STWM) are Canada's top 2 international-class marathons, recognized by the awarding of prestigious IAAF Silver labels to both events for 2008. The IAAF labels recognize excellence in international marathons and road races. Only 52 labels have been awarded worldwide for 2008, just 2 for Canada, and only 8 for all of the Americas.

Both INGO and STWM celebrate competition, participation and fundraising in order to make a distinctive contribution to the health of the community. The ING Ottawa Marathon will be held on May 25, 2008; Scotiabank Toronto Waterfornt Marathon on September 28th. www.runottawa.ca and www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.