August 2, 2005
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Organizers are expecting to welcome a record number of
participants to the BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island
Marathon the weekend of October 15-16, 2005. An aggressive
new marketing campaign targeting off-Island runners and the
inclusion of new walking categories are key factors in
making this goal a reality. The event line-up for 2005
includes: a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Run, Kids Fun
Run, as well as the New 10K and Half Marathon Walking
categories."The PEI Marathon is a unique event that promotes active
living for residents and visitors while also producing
economic benefits for the Island and ACOA is pleased to
offer its support," said Joe McGuire, Minister of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "I commend the PEI
Marathon Inc. board members, marathon organizers and
volunteers for all their hard work and I am confident the
event will be a tremendous success again this year and for
years to come."The two new dedicated walking race events are first-time
additions to the Island Marathon weekend. After researching
other marathons, the organizing committee learned the
segment of the market that is growing the fastest and
showed the most potential was the walking category. This
new addition provides a challenge to those serious walkers
searching for a goal and a date to train towards. Philip Brown, Minister of Tourism for P.E.I., said, "The
2005 Prince Edward Island Marathon promises to be an
exciting event, building on past successes. Over the last
25 years, the organizers and sponsors of the event have
enhanced activities and have attracted participants from
the Island and "away" to enjoy our landscape as they run,
walk, and socialize during one of the fastest growing
marathons in Canada." According to the PEI Active Living
Alliance, an average person takes 2,000 steps to complete 1
Km, 20,000 steps to complete 10Kms, and 42,000 steps to
complete a half marathon walk.The 2005 BMO Nesbit Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon
will cater to anyone who wants to walk, wheelchair or run
the event. Event organizers want to ensure that those
everyone is treated to a well-planned event and that they
have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty Prince Edward
Island has to offer. With the growth in participation last
year, organizers are aiming for 1,500 participants for 2005
and a future goal is to be one of the largest Marathon
events in Eastern Canada. "With a strong emphasis on marketing and a professionally-
organized event in 2004 - the response was amazing; people
came from all over Canada and the USA to take part in our
event. Our goal was to have between 400 and 500
participants and we ended-up with nearly 1000. That showed
us that people will travel to PEI for a well-planned, well-
promoted running event." said Ellen Sherren, co-chair of
the PEI Marathon Organizing Committee, "This year, by
adding new events for new markets - we're confident that we
can continue to grow." In addition to the scheduled races, organizers have many
other activities and events planned for participants and
spectators. This year organizers plan to add more music,
with bands and cheerleading sections that line the race
routes from the North Shore of PEI to the race finish in
Historic Downtown Charlottetown."The City of Charlottetown is pleased to host this premiere
event and recognizes that this is a great jump-start to the
fall tourism shoulder season. Major sporting events
contribute significantly to Charlottetown tourism and
increasingly, events have become showcases for the
industry. Tourism is about Economic Development - for the
whole community," said Mayor Lee. "Sport tourism is a
terrific grassroots economic development initiative and one
of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry in
Canada, worth 2 billion dollars a year"."BMO Nesbitt Burns is proud to be title sponsor of one of
the fastest growing marathons in North America. This event
will bring thousands of people to the Island at a time when
our tourism operators are typically slowing down," said
Stephen Cudmore, Title Sponsor, BMO Nesbitt Burns For more than two decades, the Prince Edward Island
Marathon has been an excellent event for Island and
regional runners. Two years ago, an energetic group put a
new face on the Island Marathon. The 2004 Marathon
organizing committee consisted of a number of individuals
who hold a great passion for running and a desire to
promote PEI as a prime running destination. This breath of
life has produced a two-part spin-off: a revitalization for
the sport of running; and a boost in off-Island visitation
in the tourism shoulder season.The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has provided a
contribution of $52,200 under the Business Development
Program. Continued support, both monetary and in-kind, from
Tourism PEI and the City of Charlottetown, as well as many
corporate sponsors contribute greatly to the success of the
BMO Nesbitt Burns Prince Edward Island Marathon.Ron Crozier
Office of the Minister of ACOA
(902) 888-4150
Myrtle Jenkins-Smith
Event Co-ordinator
(902) 628-1861
Sherry MacDougall
Tourism PEI
(902) 368-5535
Wayne Long
City of Charlottetown
(902) 629-4023
Jana Parker
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 368-0264
