COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA'S 2012 GAME OF LIFE RUN/WALK RAISES OVER $65,000 FOR GRASSROOTS SPORT PROGRAMS

COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA'S 2012 GAME OF LIFE RUN/WALK RAISES OVER $65,000 FOR GRASSROOTS SPORT PROGRAMS

Young people in the Caribbean will be the main beneficiaries of the more than $65,000 raised during Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC)'s second annual Game of Life Run/Walk. Over 1,200 people in four cities across Canada took part in the 5k/10k event, held yesterday in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Halifax in support of CGC's grassroots sport programs.

"We're extremely pleased with the success of the second edition of the Game of Life Run/Walk," says Brian MacPherson, Commonwealth Games Canada's CEO.
"Not only were we able to expand the event to four cities this year, but we almost doubled the funds raised. This will allow CGC to continue to bring grassroots sport programs to children and youth in developing countries. Our heartfelt thanks go to our sponsors—The Running Room, Mizuno Canada and PCL—and our incredible Game of Life volunteers, without whom this event would not be possible."

John Stanton, founder of The Running Room and a CGC board member, was a driving force behind the inaugural Game of Life Run/Walk in 2011 and continues to be a champion of the event. "The transformative power of sport is evident whenever you see someone crossing the finish line in their first race, or simply getting fit and building their self-confidence," says Stanton. "Commonwealth Games Canada continues to use sport to transform lives and communities around the world, and The Running Room is delighted to support those efforts by supporting the Game of Life Run/Walk."

.... New Ottawa Event on Canada Day

CGC will host a special Canada Day edition of the Game of Life Run/Walk in Ottawa this year. The 5K event kicks off at 8 a.m. on July 1st at the Canadian War Museum. To register, visit http://www.runningroom.com.

.... About the Game of Life Run/Walk

Launched in 2011 in Toronto and Calgary, the Game of Life Run/Walk is an awareness and fundraising event for CGC's International Development through Sport (IDS) unit, which uses the transformative power of sport to change lives and strengthen communities in Africa and the Caribbean through grassroots sport programs. Proceeds from the 2012 event will go primarily to CGC's Bowling Out AIDS program, a cricket-based initiative for youth aged 9 to 19 that's designed to develop cricket skills while improving players'
knowledge, attitudes and behaviours around HIV/AIDS. More than 240,000 people were estimated to be living with HIV in the Caribbean, according to the most recent estimate.

.... About Commonwealth Games Canada

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth, by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.

For race results, visit:

Vancouver: http://www.winningtime.ca/index.php?content=12game_van

Calgary : http://www.winningtime.ca/index.php?content=12game_cgy

Toronto 5K: http://www.rrresults.com/results2.php?race=404

Toronto 10K: http://www.rrresults.com/results2.php?race=405

Halifax: http://www.atlanticchip.ca/events/results-show.php?result=1467

For more information, visit http://www.commonwealthgames.ca or contact:

*Brian MacPherson*
Chief Executive Officer
Commonwealth Games Canada
613-244-6868 x 226
brian@commonwealthgames.ca