‘I had some issues with my right calf muscle and blisters on my left foot throughout training, which caused me to miss a lot of the long runs.  I had only done two long runs of 32km each, which was very little.  I also suffered a sudden onset of sciatica pain on my right side just before the race – so wasn’t sure whether I would be able to compete this year’, Alan explains.  ‘However, on the day of the race, I decided to do the marathon.  I felt that I was underprepared, and didn’t really feel ready – but I knew I could complete it’.

Unlike his 2012 training schedule, Alan’s 2013 marathon training was a little more ‘casual’.  He continued to run after the 2012 marathon, so he already had a good base, which helped.   On Tuesday nights he would often do hills or sprints, on Wednesday, he usually ran 10km, occasionally he would squeeze in a run on Friday and on the weekend, wherever possible, he would do a long run.

‘Race day was hot’, Alan adds, ‘a little too hot for me’.  ‘The hardest part was around 16km.  I felt tired, so I took some gels, and was OK after that.  I stopped at all the water stations, soaked myself in water and kept taking gels.’.  At around 21km, Alan could feel that he had a recurring large blister on the ball of his left foot and then soon after, another large blister on the middle of his foot started to swell up – but he kept going.

‘It felt good to see the finish and, spurred on by the cheering crowd, I sprinted to the finish line, passing about 4 or 5 people on my way.  My time?  3h 52 min.  I didn’t make my goal of 3h 45m, and wasn’t super happy with the time – but I know I can do better with smarter, longer training and without injuries’, he adds.

What’s up next?  Alan is planning to rest for a while to let the injuries heal and will then mix in some cross training – cycling and other summer sports – with running.  His next goal?  Alan is looking for a running coach to help him push his time to 3h 30m in his next marathon.

I had applied for an elite entry into the Van marathon quite a ways back but it took a long time before I heard I got in. However, after running my fifth 50km race, I was feeling a little burnt out and all of a sudden was not so excited about the marathon. However that feeling only lasted a few days.

Continue reading on Nicola’s blog…

 “Now is the time that runners plan their 2013 goals and so online registration opening now is very timely,” says General Manager Cathy Noel. “Our planning for the event is under way and we are looking forward to welcoming new and returning runners.”

Early bird registration fees until May 15 are $90 for the Marathon, $65 for the Half Marathon, and $30 for the 8K Road Race. Kids can register for the Thrifty Food Kids Run for $15 until October 12.

To register online go to: https://www.raceonline.ca/events/details/?id=276.

For additional registration information go to: http://runvictoriamarathon.com/events/register.php

In 2012 the event saw 2,056 register for the Marathon, 5,503 for the Half Marathon, 2,844 in the 8K, and a record 1,100 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon for a total of 11,503. For more details, visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com.

Since the revival of the Olympics in 1896, a few pioneering women showed interest in breaking the male tradition of running the marathon distance. Stamatis Rovithi is believed to be the first woman to run a ‘marathon’ when she covered the proposed Olympic course from Marathon to Athens shortly before the Games. Another female athlete, Melpomene asked to run in the Olympic Marathon, and was rejected.  Undiscouraged, Melpornene jumped into the race and ran alongside the men, eventually finishing an hour and a half after the winner.  She was banned from entering the stadium to finish the marathon, so she ran her final lap around the outside of the building.

Violet Piercy of Great Britain was the first woman to be officially timed in a marathon, when she clocked a time of 3:40:22 in a British race on October 3, 1926, and this time stood as an unofficial world record for 37 years, mainly because of the lack of women competitors.   It wasn’t until December 16, 1963, that American Merry Lepper beat this record with a time of 3:37:07.

However, up until the 1970s women were still barred from high profile marathon events and women’s long-distance running events didn’t appear in the Olympics until many years later.  The marathon distance was considered too strenuous for women and organizers claimed that it was bad for women’s health to run such a long distance.  Up until, and including, the Moscow Games, 1500m was the longest event open to women.

Acceptance into the world’s greatest marathons was largely thanks to the efforts of a few pioneering women who bravely challenged the status quo and pushed the issue into the public domain.  Roberta Gibb, in 1966, was the first women to run the Boston marathon unofficially, and she did so by hiding in the bushes at the start, and then jumping onto the course.  Roberta’s unofficial time was 3:21:25. A year later, 20-year old Kathrine Switzer, a student at Syracuse University, registered for the Boston marathon under the name KV Switzer. However, once the officials realized that she was a woman, they tried to grab Switzer to remove her from the race.  Her teammates fended them off, and Switzer finished the race in 4:20.  The photo of Switzer, pursued by the race officials, hit the headlines and brought the issue of women’s acceptance into these races into the limelight. Women were finally accepted into both the New York and Boston marathons in 1971.

From the 1970s onwards, interest among women for running marathons grew and the gap closed between the men and women’s winning times. Another milestone for women In 1971 was the first woman to break the three-hour barrier generally credited to Australian Adrienne Beames, who clocked 2:45:30. In 1973, the first all-women’s marathon was held in Waldniel, West Germany, and the first Women’s International Marathon Championship was held in 1974, attracting 40 competitors from seven countries.  Four years later, the International Women’s Marathon, then sponsored by Avon, included 250 world class women athletes from 25 countries.

Finally, after extensive lobbying, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, included a women’s marathon and American Joan Benoit Samuelson won with a time of 2:24:52.

Heated discussions have been taking place over the last few days and the city seems divided on whether holding the race would be an inspiration, or a slap in the face to all those who are struggling without housing, food, gas, and electricity.  There was real concern that the marathon would divert much needed resources away from the recovery efforts, and many believed that the police would  be more useful preventing the widespread looting than protecting the 50,000 race participants who were expecting to race on Sunday.

Marathoners will be understandably disappointed, as many have travelled a long way to reach NYC, but many have posted on facebook that they will go to Staten Island, the planned start of the marathon, to volunteer with the rescue efforts.  Staten Island was one of the areas worst hit by the hurricane.   They will leave with a new appreciation of the extent of the devastation – and they will get a free entry into next year’s race.

http://www.pacificroadrunners.ca/firsthalf/

The Half Marathon also ranked as the fourth best of all distances with 33,354 points. Vancouver Island races made three of the top four rankings. First was the Vancouver Sun Run 10K with 34,544; then Bazan Bay 5K:  33,772, and the TC10K: 33,767.

Finish times are converted to a performance score using a statistical formula. “I sum the performance scores of the top 20 men and the top 20 women for a measure of how competitive a race is,” says Maurice Wilson, BC Athletics, Technical Manager Road & Cross Country Running. “It is a means to informally determine which the most competitive races are in BC, and as a means to measure if the depth of performances is improving. In 2010 the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Half Marathon scored 32,507, and in 2011 it scored 32,628. So 33,354 this year is a big improvement.”

Natasha Fraser from Port Moody set a new course record in the Half Marathon, breaking her own 2011 time, finishing in 1:14:06. Fraser is also the 2012 BC 10,000-metre Champion, the Vancouver Sun Run and TC10K Champion. Lucy Njeri was second in 1:14:27, and Winnipeg’s Esther Kipserem was third in 1:18:23.

The Men’s Half Marathon was won by Rutto Kibet from Edmonton in 1:04:27, with Victoria’s Geoff Martinson finishing second in 1:05:39. Third was Willy Kimosop from Lethbridge in 1:06:01.

The Marathon and 8K Road Race also received top scoring making the top 20 in the province with 30,608 and 31,275 points respectively.

The top-seeded Omwenga was the clear leader throughout the Marathon and not challenged, coming in seven minutes ahead of second place finisher Gilbert Kiptoo. Omwenga’s time of 2:20:41 was six minutes slower than his time of 2:13:44 set in 2011 but he was satisfied with his performance. His two previous marathons, in Quebec and Manitoba were slower – 2:28:36 and 2:25:13 respectively. Fourth-seeded Kiptoo’s time of 2:27:01 was also faster than his 2012 Thunder Bay Marathon of 2:38. Third was Vancouver’s Graeme Wilson whose time of 2:29:17 was 17 seconds faster than his fourth place finish last year. Wilson was also the top Master and winner of the BC Marathon Championship.

The Women’s race saw three of the top five seeds podium. Hallie Janssen from Portland, made a big Victoria comeback by winning in 2:47:03. She had previously won in 2004 in a time of 2:49:36. Nadyia Fry from Invermere, BC bettered her third place finish in 2011 by not only finishing second in 2:47:36, but setting a personal best. She also won the BC Marathon Championship. Third was Victoria’s Catrin Jones, the 2010 winner, in 2:49:02.
Top female Master, and in sixth place overall, was Rika Hatachi from Coquitlam, BC in 3:01:25.

Port Moody’s Natasha Fraser broke her own 2011 record to win the Women’s Half Marathon in 1:14:27.This victory comes after being crowned the 2012 BC 10,000-metre Champion, the Vancouver Sun Run and TC10K Champion. The much anticipated one-two contest between Fraser and Lucy Njeri, the 2011 Women’s Marathon Champion, did not disappoint. With Njeri on Fraser’s tail for most of the race, Fraser kept calm and Njeri had to settle for second place in 1:14:27. Winnipeg’s Esther Kipserem was third in 1:18:23. Top Master was Calgary’s Lisa Harvey, who was sixth overall in 1:19:39.

The Men’s race was won by Rutto Kibet from Edmonton in 1:04:27, two minutes short of the course record, with Victoria’s Geoff Martinson running a great race to come in second in 1:05:39. Third was Willy Kimosop from Lethbridge in 1:06:01. Running as a Master for the first time, Jim Finlayson ran a strong race to receive the top Master award in 1:08:51. He was eighth overall.

BC Athletes dominated the 8K Road Race with the top two placings going according to the seeding. Vancouver’s Chris Winter won in 24:13, closely followed by Richmond’s Samuel Pawluk in 24:42. Third was Ryan Huff from Vancouver in 25:30. Top Master and eighth overall was Mike Murphy in 27:06.

Top ranked Rachel Cliff from Vancouver won the Women’s race in 27:43. Lindsay Walker, also from Vancouver won in 28:12, and Victoria’s Lucy Smith was third in 28:15. Smith was also the top Master.

Eight age group records were set, two in the Marathon, five in the Half Marathon, and one in the 8K Road Race. Notable results included a 4:32:38 for Frank McKenna in the Marathon in the M80+ category, shattering the record he set in 2011 of 5:03:50. Betty Jean McHugh set a world record for 84 year old female runners with a time of 2:23:26 in the Half Marathon.

Adam Campbell, the Victoria lawyer who ran in a business suit, to set a new Guinness World Record, shattered the previous record by 49 minutes to finish in a remarkable sixth place in 2:35:53.

The event saw 2,056 register for the Marathon, 5,503 for the Half Marathon, 2,844 in the 8K, and a record 1,100 in the Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon for a total of 11,503. There were 10,076 finishers including Kids Run participants – 1,720 in the Marathon, 4,755 in the Half Marathon and 2,501 in the 8K Road Race.

The 34th Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will take place on October 13th, 2013. For full results from the 33rd GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon go to: http://www.sportstats.ca

Campbell is quite confident that he will be able to break the record of 3:24:46, currently held by Paul Buchanan, from the U.K. Buchanan made this time running in the Adidas Dublin Marathon in Dublin, Ireland on October 26, 2009. Campbell is a world class ultramarathon runner, and also an associate lawyer with Hemminger Schmid Lawyers and Mediators.

“Although I’m a self-proclaimed ‘serious’ runner, I recognize that sport is ultimately about having fun, so I was looking for a quirky challenge. The “suit marathon” world record attempt seemed like a good way to marry my dual identity as a lawyer and as an elite runner,” Campbell says.

Campbell is a person who cares deeply about his community. As an added incentive he is also running to raise awareness about and fundraise for Access Pro Bono, a non-profit charitable society whose mission is to promote access to justice in BC by providing and fostering quality pro bono (free) legal services for people and non-profit organizations of limited means. As a firm with its own strong ties to its community, Hemminger Schmid is extremely proud to not only welcome Campbell as the newest member of their legal team, but also support him in achieving his goals.

“It’s a fun way to raise some awareness and money for Access Pro Bono and to connect with the running community in a unique way. Although I’ve put in long miles on my feet and long hours in a suit, I’ve never combined the two, so it will be interesting to see what happens out there. I’m fairly confident that I can lower the current record of 3:24, but there are also a lot of unknowns and I also respect the fact that a marathon is still a long way to run and anything can happen out there,” he added.

Campbell will be available for interviews at the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon Media Conference on Friday, October 5, 10 am at Frontrunners, 1200 Vancouver Street, Victoria.

The 33rd Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday, October 7th, 2012. For the fourth year in a row it will host the 2012 BC Marathon Championships. The total purse available in the Dairlyland Elite Athlete Program, including incentive bonuses, is $38,800. In 2011, three new course records were set. Thomas Omwenga set a new men’s Marathon record in 2:14:33; Lucy Njeri broke the 22-year women’s Marathon record in 2:37:56, and Natasha Wodak set a new women’s Half Marathon record in 1:15:27. For more details, visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com.

An ‘Elite A’ and ‘Elite B’ standard will be introduced with different qualifying times for North American and International athletes. Qualifying as ‘Elite A’ entitles athletes to apply for accommodation and travel assistance. To meet this status, International male athletes must have run a 2:20 Marathon or a 1:05 Half Marathon (previous standards were 2:30 and 1:10). For International female athletes, the Marathon standard remains at 2:50 but the Half Marathon is now 1:17 (previously 1:20). For North American athletes, the only change is for female Marathon runners who need 3:00 to qualify (previously 2:50). The male Marathon standard remains at 2:30, the Half Marathon at 1:10, and the female Half Marathon at 1:20.

‘Elite B’ athletes would receive a complimentary entry and some course services. North American male athletes must have run a 2:35 Marathon and 1:15 Half Marathon (previously 2:30 and 1:10). Female athletes qualify with a 3:10 Marathon time or a 1:25 Half Marathon time (previously 2:50 and 1:20). For International athletes, the new male Marathon standard is 2:25 and for the females 3:00 (previously 2:30 and 2:50). The male and female Half Marathon standards remain at 1:10 and 1:20.

North American female Masters (40+) athletes in the Marathon now have a standard of 3:15 (previously 3:00). The female Half Marathon time remains at 1:25 as does the Marathon male at 2:40 and Half Marathon at 1:15.

“We’ve introduced two levels of Elite Qualification to match other major Marathons,” says Jonathan Foweraker, Coordinator, Dairyland Elite Athlete Program. “It allows us to reach out to the local marathon community while ensuring a high quality of international competition.”

Course record bonuses, which previously only Canadian Citizens were eligible for, has been extended to Permanent Residents and Refugees who have been domiciled in Canada for at least one year. The course bonuses are $5,000 for the Marathon and $1,000 for the Half Marathon. A Masters course record bonus has also been introduced for the Marathon and Half Marathon, $500 and $250 respectively.

“We want to reward all of those who have made Canada their home. The male Masters Marathon record dates back to 1988 when Tom Howard ran 2:27:36, so this extra incentive might result in this exceptional time being challenged,” adds Foweraker.

The 33^rd Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday, October 7^th, 2012. For the fourth year in a row it will host the 2012 BC Marathon Championships. The total purse available in the Dairlyland Elite Athlete Program, including incentive bonuses, is $38,800. In 2011, three new course records were set. Thomas Omwenga set a new men’s Marathon record in 2:14:33; Lucy Njeri broke the 22-year women’s Marathon record in 2:37:56, and Natasha Wodak set a new women’s Half Marathon record in 1:15:27. For more details, visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com.

2012 Prize Money

Incentive bonuses will only be paid to the overall race winner, male and female, who can be of any nationality. Only one incentive bonus will be paid to the race winner.

All four races are capped and in 2010 the Half Marathon sold out prior to race day. The Marathon is capped at 4,000; HalfMarathonat 6,800; 8K Road Race at 4,000 and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon at 1,000.

Over the last ten years the event – through its Official Charities and the Times Colonist Charity Pledge Program – has raised over $1.1 Million. The four official charities are KidSport Greater Victoria, Raise A Reader, GoodLife Kids Foundation and the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group. In addition there are 20 charities in the Times Colonist Charity Pledge Program.

“It is time to commit to run, walk, or volunteer on October 7 and we encourage all participants to choose a charity to support,” says Cathy Noel, General Manager of the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon. “Only seven percent of participants are supporting a charity, and the 20 charities participating in the Times Colonist Charity Pledge Program need your help. It’s easy to join a team or make a donation, more information is at www.runvictoriamarathon.com/cpp.”

The marathon early bird entry fee is $95. The deadline also applies to the Half Marathon and the 8K Road Race where the fees are $70 and $35. After July 15 regular registration fees will apply – $105 for theMarathon, $80 for the Half Marathon and $40 for the 8K Road Race. The entry fee for the Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon remains at $15 until October 6.

The 33^rd Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday, October 7^th, 2012. For the fourth year in a row it will host the BC Marathon Championships. There is $37,300 available in prize money with $3,000 each going to the top male and female and a $5,000 bonus for a new men’s or women’s course record. In 2011 three new course records were set. Thomas Omwenga set a new men’s marathon record in 2:14:33; Lucy Njeri broke the 22-year women’s marathon record in 2:37:56, and Natasha Wodak set a new women’s half marathon record in 1:15:27. For more details, visit www.runvictoriamarathon.com.

Elites to Watch For:

Eric Gillis, Guelph, Ontario: Originally from Antigonish, NS, Eric represented Canada in the 2008 Beijing Games in the 10,000m. He qualified to represent Canada in this year’s Olympic Marathon by the smallest of margins — one second — running 2:11:28 at the 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon last October. Eric also won the 2012 Canadian Half-Marathon Championship on April 29th at Banque Scotia 21K de Montreal.

Reid Coolsaet, Hamilton, Ontario: Like Gillis, 32-year-old Reid Coolsaet also trains in Guelph under Coach Dave Scott-Thomas at the Speed River Track Club, and he also qualified for London at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 2011 with a time of 2:10:55. He also spent two months training in Iten, Kenya this past winter.

Kip Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB: Kangogo is the SVHM defending Champion, having won the last three editions in a row. Always a fierce competitor, he currently leads the Canada Running Series overall standings. His goal this season is to win the overall Series. He also hopes to solidify a place on the Canadian Marathon team for the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow through his performance at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October. On a personal note, Kip also expects to secure his Canadian citizenship in early 2013.

Lanni Marchant, London, ON: At 28-years-old, from London, ON, Lanni is one of Canada’s brightest, up-and-coming distance-running stars. She had a tremendous, breakthrough performance at the Rotterdam Marathon this April where she notched a 2:31:51 time, beating her personal best by 13 minutes. Although just outside the Canadian standard for the Women’s Olympic Marathon of 2:29:55, Lanni has launched an appeal to be given a place on the team to London and expects to hear the result any day now. She raced for Canada on May 28th at the Bolder Boulder 10km in Colorado, finishing 11th in a time of 35:02 on a hilly course in high-altitude conditions.

Krista Duchene: This 35-year-old mother of three from Brantford, ON, also had a huge breakthrough in Rotterdam on April 15, 2012, finishing in 2:32:05, a seven-minute improvement to her personal best. Faith is also a very important motivator in Krista’s life and running. Like Lanni Marchant, she has also filed an appeal to see if she can be given a place on the Canadian Marathon squad for London.

For more information & online registration: www.vancouverhalf.com

Ellie at last year's Comrades Marathon --

Ultra-marathon specialist Ellie Greenwood, who now lives in North Vancouver, finished second today at the prestigious Comrades Marathon in South Africa.

Greenwood held a narrow lead through the halfway stage of the 89km race, but fell back to eventual winner  Elena Nurgalieva, who strengthened her decade-long grip on the race. Elena Nurgalieva secured her seventh victory in the women’s race, and her third in succession, despite the absence of twin sister Olesya, who skipped the race after giving birth to her first child. Nurgalieva finished in 6:07.12, with Greenwood finishing in 6:08.24.

Greenwood recently won the BMO Vancouver Marathon with a time of 2:42:16, and also won last year’s Western States 100 Mile Endurance Race.

Men’s winner Ludwick Mamabolo broke the foreign stranglehold on the Comrades Marathon to win with a time of 5:31.03.

JUNE 4th UPDATE: Ellie’s race report can be viewed on her blog here.

“It’s very exciting that, despite never having staged the Surrey event, we were able to obtain official certification of our course, which is the preface to being a Boston qualifier,” says Surrey Marathon Race Director Tim Hopkins.

“The measurement and certification of a course is a very technical process, but we were confident going into the official measurement. Response by elite runners who have looked at the course think it will be an excellent experience for elite as well as beginner participants and we anticipate very fast times out of it.”

The legendary Boston Marathon, which is held annually in a number of cities in Greater Boston on the third Monday of April, is one of the world’s best-known road racing events. Certification of the Surrey event means participants successful at the Surrey Marathon are pre-qualified to participate in the iconic Boston race.

For those interested in participating in the inaugural event in the full, half, relay, 5K or Kids events, registration is open now at www.surreymarathon.com. Information packages are also available at the Central City Shopping Centre customer service centre and The Run Inn. Surrey International Marathon Society is supported by City of Surrey, Central City Shopping Centre, Tourism Surrey and Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.

The 2012 BMO Vancouver Marathon now includes a separate marathon and half marathon course encompassing a combined total of 63 kilometres of some of the most stunning views and landmarks in Vancouver. Starting from Queen Elizabeth Park and finishing downtown near the waterfront at Canada Place, each course takes runners on a different journey through the city.

“The new courses are the first re-design of the marathon and half-marathon routes in over a decade. Runners, spectators and supporters all agreed it was time to better showcase the running city we have become,” adds Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society. “Approval of the new courses took nearly two years and I am grateful to our Volunteer Race Committee who persevered through an extensive consultative process to gain support from dozens of business organizations, government agencies and community groups.”

For 2012, the courses were capped at 5,000 participants for the marathon and 10,000 for the half-marathon to deliver a safe and memorable experience for participants, spectators, volunteers and local residents. Nearly 4,000 volunteers will cheer, motivate and help at the 37 aid stations, 10 BMO Cheer Stations, 12 Music Stations, along the course, and, at the start and finish line.

The sell-out represents a 22% increase in registrations over 2011, with runners travelling from Bosnia, Cambodia, China, Belguim, Costa Rica, South Africa, Venezuela, Korea, Peru, Brazil, Australia, Japan and the US. The Canadian contingent remains the largest group representing about 75 per cent of all runners.

Runners who didn’t register in time can contact the organization to determine if spots become available as a result of cancellations, Krepiakevich adds. “We cannot guarantee openings at this time, but runners can check the website or enquire at the Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo.”

The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization. The event is one of Canada’s largest marathons and has a 40 year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. On Sunday, May 6, 2012, the BMO Vancouver Marathon will feature two new point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighbourhoods. The 2012 events is capped at 5,000 marathon participants and 10,000 half-marathon participants.

The relay exchange will be located at Bear Creek Park, which is another great part of the new course. Race Director Tim Hopkins noted, “This new race category will allow us to provide an exciting course to challenge the 10K runners. We’re looking forward to a strong slate of elite runners who will strive for their best times ever as they attempt to set the inaugural course records.”

adidas® Canada has signed on as “Official Provider of Surrey Marathon Apparel and Footwear” as the company will provide technical shirts for all Marathon and Half Marathon runners, as well as T-shirts for participants of the 5k Concert Run and Century Group Kids Fun Run.

The new deal makes the sportswear manufacturer the exclusive supplier in the athletic apparel and footwear category and with adidas support the 13-mile race will now be entitled “The Run Inn Half Marathon.”

“It is a wonderful opportunity for our new marathon to partner with a first-class international supplier like adidas,” said Surrey Marathon Chair Elizabeth Model. “This deal will help grow our event, bring more visibility to the new Surrey and help enhance our race experience for all participants.”

The adidas Group is one of the global leaders within the sporting goods industry, offering a broad range of products around the core brands: adidas, Reebok, TaylorMade and Rockport. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, adidas has more than 42,000 employees globally and is a specialty running brand leader.

“Our new partnership with the Surrey Marathon allows us to bring the best in adidias performance products to B.C.’s fastest growing city, and promotes the development of a new and exciting running event,” said adidas Regional Sales Manager, Jeff Simmonds.

The inaugural Surrey International World Music Marathon race events include a Full Marathon, Run Inn Half Marathon, and the Century Group Kids Fun Run on September 30, 2012. The 5K Concert Run will take place on Saturday, September 29 at Central City Plaza — the Start/Finish location and host of the Weekend Expo.

This innovative marathon will feature ‘Cultural Music Miles’ with love colourful music performances highlighting each mile along the marathon route. World music performers and cultural organizations will showcase their art, music, costumes, food, and beverage to present out incredible spirit and celebrate Surrey’s multicultural heritage.

Registration is open now at www.surreymarathon.com. Information packages are also available at the Central City Shopping Centre customer service centre and The Run Inn. The Surrey International Marathon Society is supported by City of Surrey, Central City Shopping Centre, Tourism Surrey, and Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association.

Information about marathon training programs, event details, and race registration can be found at www.surreymarathon.com.

The annual Vancouver Bike Show and Outdoor Adventure Show takes place this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Saturday and Sunday March 3 and 4, 2012.

Both events are sure to attract large crowds on a weekend that is expected to be very wet.

The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show will include over 250 exhibitors featuring everything for the outdoors from land to water adventures. Highlights include watching pros take on interactive canoe & kayak demos in the Whitewater Demo Pool, a Running & Triathlon Pavilion, and free workshops all weekend in the all new Healthy Living Theatre.

The Vancouver Bike Show will also feature a number of exciting events and exhibits. The show will feature new Riding technology for Mountain Bikes, Road Cycling, Touring and BMX and will feature exhibits from leading manufacturers and retailers who will offer special promotions and pre-season deals on bikes. The event will also host many parts and accessories suppliers and well as cycling events, clubs and associations who will promote their rides and services at the show.

“There is huge passion for all disciplines of cycling in Vancouver and we are pleased to create an event to bring the entire cycling industry together to kick off the cycling season.” stated Fred Cox, Producer of the Vancovuer Bike Show. “With many of the world’s leading cycling manufacturers based in Vancouver, coupled with the community’s interest in bicycle commuting options and green transportation alternatives, we felt it was time to create a first class cycling showcase in Vancouver.”

For more information on the The Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show visit http://www.outdooradventureshow.ca/vancouver/visitor/index.html.

For more information on the Vancouver Bike Show visit www.vancouverbikeshow.com.