Royal Victoria Marathon to Host Provincial Marathon Championships

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Posted Thursday, 26 February, 2009

From Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director

VICTORIA, BC, Canada - (February 16, 2009) - The 30th Royal Victoria Marathon (RVM) has been chosen by BC Athletics to host the 2009 Provincial Marathon Championships for Junior, Senior and Master runners for men and women. The RVM will be held on Sunday, October 11, 2009.

"Throughout its history, the Royal Victoria Marathon has consistently staged a first class event, attracting many of BC's finest marathon runners," said Maurice Wilson, Technical Manager of BC Athletics' Road and Cross Country Running Division. "After an absence of many years, BC Athletics is pleased to award the 2009 BC Marathon Championships to Victoria, to be held in conjunction with their 30th anniversary."

The Royal Victoria Marathon has consistently attracted an elite field of runners including former winners Cheryl Murphy and Olympian Jon Brown, both 2008 BCA Road Runners of the Year, reigning and three-time Marathon winner Steve Osaduik, five-time winner Kelvin Broad, six-time winner Cindy Rhodes and Olympians Bruce Deacon and Peter Butler.

"For 2009 I will be inviting about 50 elite BC runners to participate," said Bob Reid, President of the Victoria Marathon Society. "There is $26,000 available in prize money with $3000 each going to the top male and female and a $5000 bonus for a new men's or women's course record. We are very proud - this is the first time in 30 years that RVM has hosted the provincial marathon championships."

Current course records are held by Langley's Steve Osaduik, 2:16:49 set in 2006, and Val Chowaniec, from Edmonton, 2:42:32 set in 1989.

The 30th Royal Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday, October 11, 2009; in addition to the marathon there is a half-marathon, 8K road race and Thrifty Foods Kids Run. For more details, visit: RoyalVictoriaMarathon.com