Thirty music groups are scheduled to perform and compete at the BMO Vancouver Marathon for $5,000 in cash prizes
- Organizers listened to past participants asking for more motivational entertainment along the route
- Runners will vote for Music Challenge winners
Vancouver, BC – April 3, 2013 – Thirty bands of assorted genres will entertain on a world stage for up to 17,000 runners this May 5th at the BMO Vancouver Marathon. Runners will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite group following the race with the top five bands receiving a $1,000 prize each. Music Challenge winners will also be offered the opportunity to perform at post-event celebrations.
All of the bands will be located at designated positions along the Marathon, Half Marathon and 8km courses to motivate runners and entertain spectators with upbeat and energizing performances.
Runners will be able to select their favorite group at the end of the event using an online voting system. After checking their race results, runners will choose their favorite band, adding their vote to the Music Challenge.
Among the thirty confirmed bands is Cakewalk, a five-piece band that can play anything from Jackie Wilson’s 1967 hit “Higher & Higher” to Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You”. Another band expected at the Music Challenge is Rainshadow, a four-person classic rock band that has been known to play U2, Pink Floyd, and Bruce Springsteen, with many great hits from the 60’s forward. Drive Street Band is another community music group that performs Latin, Jazz, New Orleans, Tango and anything else motivating and uplifting.
With approximately 80,000 spectators and 17,000 participants, this year’s Music Challenge is expected to have the largest exposure in the event’s history. This event has also increased the number of musicians from seventeen groups in 2012 to thirty for 2013, providing lots of entertainment and motivation for runners and spectators.
About The Vancouver International Marathon Society
The BMO Vancouver Marathon and Half Marathon is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society, a non-profit organization. The event is Canada’s largest marathon and has a 41-year history within Vancouver and the running community internationally. The event will take place on May 5, 2013, featuring the three point-to-point courses, showcasing the city’s famous landmarks, shorelines and neighbourhoods. The 2013 events will remain capped at 5,000 for the Marathon, 10,000 for the Half-Marathon, 2,000 for the 8km, 500 for 8km Teen Challenge and 500 for the Kids 1-Mile Fun run participants.
About BMO
BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to be in its eighth year as title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. BMO supports the running community through sponsorship of marathon events in Vancouver, Kelowna, Charlottetown, Phoenix, Arizona, and Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin. BMO has a long and proud history of supporting sports in Canada. We believe our ties with sports reflect some of our most deeply held corporate values, such as contributing positively to a healthy quality of life in the community, and promoting the achievements of people, regardless of age or ability.
Media Contacts:
- Charlene Krepiakevich, Executive Director, Vancouver International Marathon Society, Office: 604-872-2928, [email protected]
- Laurie Grant, BMO Media Relations, 604-665-7596, [email protected]
- Twitter: @bmovanmarathon, @runvancanada