FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, BC, May 3, 2009 – Today marked the 38th annual running of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Benard Onsare of Calgary, originally from Kenya, finished in first place with a time of 2:28:26. In first place for the women for the second year in a row was Mary Akor of California with a time of 2:46:24.

There were 12,905 triumphant runners, walkers and wheelchair participants in the 42.2 km Marathon, 21.1 km Half Marathon, and 8 km races today representing 36 countries. School groups and children with their parents completed the 1.6 km segment of their six-week training program in the McDonald’s Kids MaraFun.

The BMO Vancouver Marathon is considered the premier west coast marathon and takes participants along a 42 km scenic route that includes Vancouver's famous Stanley Park, False Creek, the Burrard Street Bridge, and the Kitsilano and Point Grey neighbourhoods.  The start and finish line at Concord Pacific Place in downtown Vancouver was teeming with spectators and family supporters starting at 6:00 a.m. on the cloudy Sunday morning.

Inspiring marathon stories abounded with the successful completion of the 21.1 km Half Marathon by the event’s oldest ever competitor.  Peter Madsen, of Burnaby, B.C., who turned 90 in March, was accompanied by his son Tony in the 21.1 km Half Marathon, which they walked in a time of 3:59:50.

Michelle Gentis ran the 42.2 km Marathon pushing her son Joshua in a custom adapted long-distance jogger. Joshua is a smart, happy eight-year old with a brain disorder who loved being part of the race, especially the cheering crowds.  Michelle and Joshua finished the marathon with a time of 4:21:36. 

2009 BMO Vancouver Marathon Final Results:

42.2 km Marathon Male

1st  – Benard Onsare, Calgary, AB [2:28:26]
2nd  – Adam Campbell, Victoria, BC [2:33:33]
3rd  – Duncan Marsden, Calgary, AB [2:33:59]

 42.2 km Marathon Female

1st  – Mary Akor, Hawthorne, CA [2:46:24]
2nd  – Bridget Duffy, Oakland, CA [2:52:52]
3rd  – Joan McGrath, New Westminster, BC [2:56:00]

 21.1 km Half Marathon Male

1st  – Willy Kimosop, Lethbridge, AB [1:05:03]
2nd  – Kip Kangogo, Lethbridge, AB [1:05:12]
3rd  – David Jackson, Victoria, BC [1:08:43]

 21.1 km Half Marathon Female

1st  – Lioudmila Kortchaguina, Thornhill, ON [1:17:11]
2nd  – Kristina Rody, Burnaby, BC [1:18:12]
3rd  – Cheryl Murphy, Victoria, BC [1:19:30]

 Photos will be sent as soon as they are available. 

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Media Contacts:
Amber Kendall, Public Relations Coordinator, , 604-263-4994
Laurie Grant, BMO Financial Group, laurie.grant@bmo.com, 604-318-0735

Web: www.bmovanmarathon.ca