Running: Blockbuster deal makes Running Room Official Clinic Partner of Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Thursday, March 22, 2007 - 08:51 PM

Running Room becomes “Official Clinic Partner” of Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront
Marathon & Half, with 5-year deal.

TORONTO (March 22nd) - Organizers of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon today announced the signing of a major, 5-year partnership with the Running Room, that makes Running Room "the Official Clinic Partner of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon," to be run on September 30th, 2007.

"We're absolutely delighted at this new partnership," said Race Director Alan Brookes. "This is a monumental and historic partnership for Canadian marathoning, and Canadian running in general. The deal joins Running Room's world-renowned Clinics with what has rapidly become the 6th fastest marathon in North America, and one of the continent's best. It brings together Running Room Ltd. and RCP International, the two dominant forces in Canadian Road running over the past two decades to work together rather than in competition. This will be a huge win-win for all Canadian runners. Combined, we believe we can create an unparalleled excitement for the sport in our country, and bring exponentially more people, families and neighbourhoods to a healthy lifestyle."

In the agreement, Running Room also becomes the “Official Retail Partner” of two of RCP International’s other Canada Running Series events, the Nissan Toronto 10 miler & 5k on July 15th, and Harry’s Spring Run Off 8K in Vancouver, slated next for March 2008. The Nissan Toronto 10 Miler is also the official tune-up run for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & Half.

Founded in 1984 by Edmonton runner John Stanton, Running Room has grown to more than 100 stores across Canada and the USA, driven by a passion to provide
innovation, quality products, and knowledgeable service “for runners, by runners”.
More than anything, Running Room has earned a global reputation for their running Clinics, especially those for beginners, that can now boast more than 500,000 graduates.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has doubled in size over the past 3 years, to 10,000 participants drawn from every Canadian province and territory, 41 American states, and 34 countries. In 2006 it was the 6th fastest marathon in North America, behind only such prestigious “World Majors” as Boston, Chicago, and New York, plus LA and Rock ‘n Roll San Diego. Its 2:10:15 winning time was only 30 seconds off the 30-year-old Canadian All-Comers record set at the ’76 Olympics in Montreal.

Waterfront’s Scotiabank Charity Challenge also raised more than $703,000 for 51 local charities last Fall, and the event as a whole had an estimated economic impact of $15 million on the City of Toronto.