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2015 Media Releases (pre-race)


Still time to join BMO April Fool's Run; Jackson returning to defend title

GIBSONS, BC, April 7, 2015 — The 38th annual Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, presented by Coast TV Sports, is all set to go this Sunday, April 12th.

More than 550 runners and walkers are signed up as of Monday and organizers expect another 75-100 by race morning. In person registration will be accepted at Running Room on Denman (Vancouver) on Thursday from noon to 6pm, at the Gibsons & Area Community Centre on Saturday from 1-5pm and Sunday morning from 7:45 to 8:45am.

2014 overall winner David Jackson of Abbotsford is returning on Sunday to defend his title. He recently placed 7th in the highly competitive Modo Spring Run-Off 8k Vancouver on March 22, the preceding race in the Lower Mainland Road Race Series. A serious challenge could come from the man who finished right behind him in that race, Japanese import Takanori Haraguchi, representing Team Northstar Organics. Haraguchi's personal best is 1:06:20, but he was sidelined by major injuries from 2012 to 2014. He resumed training after moving to Vancouver last fall, and has since recorded a 1:09:25 at the "First Half" in February.

Roberts Creek's Shaun Stephens-Whale is returning to home turf to take another shot at the podium. Though he hasn't raced the 21k distance lately, training is going very well and he's confident he can beat his best time of 1:12:10 (3rd place, 2012 Fool's Run).

The top women's contenders will include Ailsa MacDonald from Edmonton, who has a personal best of 1:22:06 for the half and a 2:48 marathon to her credit; North Vancouver's Kristin Smart, women's runner-up in 2012 with a half marathon PB of 1:22:14; and Vancouver's Helen Ritchie, 2009 Fool's Run winner and multiple masters champ with a 1:23:46 personal best.

The women's record is not likely to be broken this year as record-holder and 2014 champion Kim Doerksen of Gibsons is recovering from injury and has been advised not to race a half marathon at this time. She may still be seen on course — though as a volunteer, and probably not wearing a tutu! Kim's absence leaves the field wide open for the top local female spot, which could be claimed by Sechelt's Tammy Dean, local runner-up in 2014.

A few more volunteer slots still need filling to complete the race crew. Online volunteer sign up is available at www.foolsrun.com until noon on Saturday; after that, please come to packet pickup and sign up in person.

Less than a dozen spaces remain in the free Sunshine Care Network Kids Jester Dash presented by Pastimes, for kids 7 and under. See foolsrun.com/kids.htm for details.

Visit www.foolsrun.com for the complete race weekend schedule, volunteer sign-up, and late registration details.

About the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run

The Fool's Run was started in 1978 as the result of a challenge between two local newspaper columnists. Now in its 38th year, this popular half-marathon and relay attracts more than 600 participants from near and far to run and walk from Gibsons Community Centre to Mission Point Park in Davis Bay (Sechelt). In addition, 50 children participate in the Sunshine Care Network Kids' Jester Dash. Local TV coverage is provided by presenting sponsor Coast TV Sports. The half marathon is race #4 of the Lower Mainland Road Race Series, which includes 11 races in the Vancouver area.

About BMO Bank of Montreal in British Columbia

At BMO Bank of Montreal we bring clarity to customers' financial decisions. And since money is personal, we also bring a human touch to everything we do. Established in 1817 as Canada's first bank, BMO has been serving customers in British Columbia since 1887 when the first Bank of Montreal branch in the province opened in Vancouver. The 3,000 BMO Financial Group employees in B.C. are dedicated to making BMO the bank that defines great customer experience, serving customers through 123 branches. We're people first, bankers second and above all, we're here to help. BMO is the bank for runners in B.C. — sponsoring the BMO Vancouver Marathon, the BMO Okanagan Marathon, the BMO St. Patrick's Day 5K and the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run. Visit us at www.bmo.com


BMO Fool's Run set for April 12; Register by March 23 and save $!

GIBSONS, BC, March 20, 2015 — The 38th annual Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run, presented by Coast TV Sports, will see 650+ runners and walkers hoofing it from Gibsons to Sechelt on Sunday, April 12. The race date is later than usual due to the Easter holiday falling on the first weekend of April.

Title Sponsor, BMO Bank of Montreal, is back for a fourth year, providing generous support in the form of cash, volunteers, souvenir items, cheering aids and, best of all, team spirit! BMO the Bear will be back to provide encouragement to participants — young and old, and BMO staff will again host the final water station at Jack Road.

“We're thrilled at BMO to be part of this exciting, fun and family-oriented community event,” said Natasha Small, BMO Branch Manager in Gibsons. “I've been involved these past four years and can hardly wait to see some of the creative, crazy costumes! The Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run is a perfect blend of serious athletics and light-hearted fun on a perfect spring day.”

Coast TV Sports is returning with a cash donation plus the traditional upbeat 30 minute show from race day footage, to be aired on Channel 10 in the month following the event. Running Room is also back on board with many prizes and significant race day support.

The challenge of a point-to-point course, one-of-a-kind finisher medals, free shuttle buses, friendly volunteers and a grand draw prize from Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina are features that keep locals and visitors alike coming back year after year. After the run, participants enjoy a festive finish zone at Mission Point Park, with professional race announcer, DJ, costume contest, and free Kids' Jester Dash hosted by Sunshine Care Network.

Post-run refreshments are also a highlight, with an array of refueling options from MarketPlace IGA, hot soup from Ty's Fine Foods, and coffee from Wheatberries. The sports drink on course and at the finish will be NORTHSTAR Organic, a Vancouver-based company that supports local Olympic marathoners.

New in 2015 will be free digital race photos for all participants, courtesy of Gold sponsor Saucony, who is also providing shoes to the top local winners. Another newly added Gold sponsor is City Transfer, offering free shipping, advertising and cash support to the event.

“All the effort we've put into building the Fool's Run reputation has really started to pay off this year,” said co-director Teresa Nightingale. “Sponsors have been coming to us asking how they can be involved. We're blown away by the generosity of all our partners.”

Participants are also being extra generous this year. Online donations to the Food Bank during registration are approaching $1000, which is nearly double last year's total. Several boxes of food are usually collected on site as well.

Visit www.foolsrun.com for the complete race weekend schedule, and to register as a participant or volunteer. Next fee increase: midnight March 23rd.

About the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run

The Fool's Run was started in 1978 as the result of a challenge between two local newspaper columnists. Now in its 38th year, this popular half-marathon and relay attracts more than 600 participants from near and far to run and walk from Gibsons Community Centre to Mission Point Park in Davis Bay (Sechelt). In addition, 50 children participate in the Sunshine Care Network Kids' Jester Dash. Local TV coverage is provided by presenting sponsor Coast TV Sports. The half marathon is race #4 of the Lower Mainland Road Race Series, which includes 11 races in the Vancouver area.

About BMO Bank of Montreal in British Columbia

At BMO Bank of Montreal we bring clarity to customers' financial decisions. And since money is personal, we also bring a human touch to everything we do. Established in 1817 as Canada's first bank, BMO has been serving customers in British Columbia since 1887 when the first Bank of Montreal branch in the province opened in Vancouver. The 3,000 BMO Financial Group employees in B.C. are dedicated to making BMO the bank that defines great customer experience, serving customers through 123 branches. We're people first, bankers second and above all, we're here to help. BMO is the bank for runners in B.C. — sponsoring the BMO Vancouver Marathon, the BMO Okanagan Marathon, the BMO St. Patrick's Day 5K and the Sunshine Coast April Fool's Run. Visit us at www.bmo.com

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Title Sponsor BMO