Victoria, BC (February 8, 2011) – The 32nd Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will host the 2011 Provincial Marathon Championships for the third year in a row. The championships are open to junior, senior and master runners, for both men and women. The 2011 Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2011.

“The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon demonstrated again in 2010 why it is rated one of the best marathons in North America. The community embraces the event, creating a welcoming environment,” said Maurice Wilson, Technical Manager of BC Athletics’ Road and Cross Country Running Division. “The commitment of the organizing committee and volunteers ensures a quality experience for all participants, competitive and recreational. BC Athletics is delighted to associate the 2011 BC Marathon Championship with such a reputable event.”

The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon has consistently attracted an elite field of runners including former winners Cheryl Murphy and Olympian Jon Brown, 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.

“This is the third consecutive year that the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon will be hosting the BC Marathon Championships,” said Cathy Noel, General Manager. “Last year saw our strongest elite field ever with Kenyan Philip Samoei winning in 2:23:24. The women’s field was phenomenal with Lucy Smith, Cheryl Murphy and Suzanne Evans all favourites to win, but the title went to Nanaimo’s Catrin Jones who won in 2:52:21.”

The 32nd Annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon takes place Sunday, October 9, 2011. The Marathon was named the Best Marathon (Western Canada) in Get Out There Magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2010, the Marathon was ranked number two in Canada of top Boston Marathon qualifying races and number three in Canada for most Boston Marathon qualifiers by MarathonGuide.com. In addition to the Marathon there is a Half Marathon, 8K Road Race and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run & Marathon. For more details, visit http://runvictoriamarathon.com/pdf/2011_Marathon_Championship.pdf and www.runvictoriamarathon.com <http://www.runvictoriamarathon.com/>