Chevron and BMO award community spirit at the BMO Vancouver Marathon
$17,000 awarded to Neighbourhood and Community Challenge winners
Vancouver, BC – June 15, 2016 –
Communities, schools, and organizations were recently acknowledged for their spirit, commitment, and enthusiasm at the 2016 BMO Vancouver Marathon on May 1 by event organizers, the non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society.
The Neighbourhood Challenge presented by Chevron, and the Community Awards supported by BMO Financial Group, awarded a total of $17,000 to local community groups who cheered on and supported runners at the 45th annual Vancouver Marathon.
$7,000 from the Neighbourhood Challenge presented by Chevron was given to 10 neighbourhood groups all across Vancouver, with awards for best dance routines, costumes, decorations, groups, and the community group with the largest number of spectators.
Coal Harbour Resident Association took the prize for the ‘Top neighbourhood with the largest number of spectators’, and the Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon Boat Team took home two cash prizes including the ‘Best Decorated Station’ and ‘Best High School, College or University’.
“This was a fun activity because we got the opportunity to cheer for someone else – because we love being cheered for as well,” says Judy Chan, founder of the Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon Boat Team, noting their award will support students who paddle on the team and need financial help to compete otherwise. “This event gave us the opportunity to bond as well, so regardless of awards we will likely do this again.”
Winners of the Neighbourhood Challenge presented by Chevron included:
Top neighbourhood with the largest number of spectators
- Coal Harbour Resident Association
- Best Decorated Station, House or Business
- Yaletown Business Improvement Association
- Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon Boat
- Best Group of Team Costume
- Carnival Band
- Bloco Energia
- Solo Girls
Best Cheer or Dance Routine
- Top Line Vocal Collective Choir
- Downtown Riot
Best Group/Team in UBC
- Pacific Road Runners Club
Best High School, College or University
- Johnston Heights Secondary
- Eric Hamber Eternal Dragon Boat
For the Community Awards supported by BMO Financial Group, 10 volunteer groups ranging from schools to charity groups were awarded $1,000 each for their efforts on race day.
Raising funds to support Canadian Forces personnel, emergency services and their families, the Honour House Society from New Westminster, BC, was one of those recipients of the BMO Community Awards earning $1,000.
“We’re thrilled to recognize these local organizations for their support of the Marathon and for the enthusiasm of their communities,” says Mike Bonner, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, BC and Yukon, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Our partnership with the BMO Vancouver Marathon spans more than a decade, and it’s encouraging to see what it’s done to help build the community at a grass roots level and the profile it’s gained across the country.”
“It was shocking to see how big the event actually was, the atmosphere was eye opening,” says Dylan Myers, captain of the Honour House Society volunteer team on race day. “We’re doing this so we can give back.”
List of Community Award winners:
- Killarney Secondary School
- Habitat for Humanity
- Ride2Survive
- Honour House Society
- Joyce Area Planning Association
- Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society BC Chapter
- Team Finn
- David Thompson Secondary
- Canadian Mental Health Society
- Immigration Services Society of BC
The non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society congratulates and thanks all the award recipients of the Neighbourhood Challenge and Community Awards at the 2016 BMO Vancouver Marathon.
“The BMO Vancouver Marathon is more than just a run, and we are extremely happy to be able to reward these special volunteer and community contributions,” adds Graeme White, Executive Director of the Vancouver International Marathon Society, organizers of the event. “The BMO Vancouver Marathon is a great opportunity to celebrate all that is Vancouver.”
