The 15th annual BMO Okanagan Marathon and Family Festival takes place this Thanksgiving weekend in Kelowna, Oct. 10 and 11.

“BMO Bank of Montreal is proud to once again step forward in providing title sponsorship of the BMO Okanagan Marathon,” said Sean Armstrong, vice-president, B.C. Interior, North and Yukon.

The BMO Kids Zone is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with face painting and colouring activities. And spectators can make their own customized cheering sign for their favourite runner at the fan centre in City Park.

Highlights of the 2009 marathon include Angus Haggarty, of Chilliwack, 70 years young, doing his 99th marathon. An Okanagan marathon veteran, this will be his 12th BMO Okanagan Marathon.

Haggarty, a prison chaplain at Mountain Institute in Agassi, tries to promote physical fitness to the community. “If you are physically fit, you will think different and you will be different when you are out,” he said.

Over the years, the BMO Okanagan Marathon has raised close to $170,000 for Sunshine Foundation: Dreams for Kids.

The Sunshine Foundation: Dreams for Kids makes dreams come true for children between the ages of three and 18 who are challenged by severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.

In the Okanagan, Sunshine has fulfilled 122 individual dreams and sent 340 kids on Dreamlift trips.

For example, 11-year-old Kaytlan’s wish was to swim with the dolphins in Mexico. Unable to hold on to the dolphin’s fin, one special dolphin flipped over and let her ride on his belly.

Over 3,500 participants will be participating in the marathon, all staged from City Park, with 60 per cent coming from outside Kelowna.

On Saturday, the popular BMO Kids Run for Kids is back, along with the growing 5 K Fun Run and 3 K Friendship Run. School aged kids will be doing their last 1.6 km on top of their running program to complete the 42.2 km marathon run to receive their marathon medals.

Kids can stay post-run for a free beverage and snack, and play in the free BMO Kids Zone.

All children who participate in the run at noon will also be eligible to win one of four RESPs valued at $250 to be drawn after the race.

On Sunday, the 10 K, 21.1 K and 42.2 K (full marathon) races start early and wind their way along the scenic lakeshore. Everyone on both days receives a complimentary T-shirt and a finishers’ medal.

Mayor Sharon Shepherd will be presenting the 21.1 K Runners Awards at 11:30 a.m.

The Sports Expo at City Park is open Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday for runner’s package pick-up, as well as last minute, walk-up registrations. Check www.okanaganmarathon.ca for times.

Volunteers are still welcome. Please contact Jonathan at 778-478-4025.

And spectators are encouraged to come out and cheer on all the participants at the BMO Okanagan Marathon. It’s not to be missed.