TORONTO (Sept. 26, 2004) - The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is flat, fast and scenic, but 73-year old Ed Whitlock took little notice of the scenery along the course. He did take note of his splits, however, as he was on world record pace for the second straight year. At the 2003 Scotiabank Waterfront Toronto Marathon, Whitlock set the 70+ with a 2:59:10. Could a septuagenarian who was another year older run even faster?

He could. The Milton, Ontario resident astonished the finish line crowd when he clocked a 2:54:49.

Impossible? Impossible is nothing. Just ask Fauja Singh. The 93 year old resident of Ilford, Essex, UK, who has been featured in adidas promotions since he ran 5:40:04 to break the 90+ age group world record for the marathon at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2003, returned to take a shot at the half marathon world record for the same age group.

Could he break his own 2:33 set in Glasgow earlier this summer? With the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon's early bird start for walkers and slower runners, Singh opted for the early start, toeing the starting line in the front--just where you'd expect to see a world-record holder start. On a day of perfect weather, on this flat, fast course, Singh ran 2:30:02-- a new age group world record.

Toronto's Danny Kassup, in his debut marathon, surprised veteran marathoners by taking the overall win in 2:14:50. Kassup, age 21, trained with the University of Toronto Track Club when he arrived a few short years ago from his native Congo. Danny was a little surprised himself when none of the world-class runners were able to cover his move to the front in the final kilometers.

Lioudmila Kortchaguina, a 31 year old Toronto resident who is originally from Ykaterinburg, Russia, won the women's race in 2:36:32, following marathon wins earlier this year in Salt Lake City and Ottawa.

Gitah Macharia, a St. Catherine's resident, won the half marathon in1:05:40. Monica Hoestadler, a member of the Hanson-Brooks Development Project in Rochester Hills, Michigan, led three of her teammates in a clean sweep of the top four women's spots in the half- marathon with a time of 1:19:08. Monica's name will be etched on the trophy along side the name of the half marathon's first winner, Joan Benoit Samuelson.

And there were more records. Michal Kapral, 32, of Toronto, with his 20 month old-daughter Annika, broke the Guinness Book of Records 3:05:12 baby jogger record by running 2:49:43, also 18th overall. The Kaprals received special dispensation to run with the normally banned stroller. The Kaprals are expecting another baby and Annika's mom said that, yes, a double baby jogger is on order.

Matthew Leduc of Ajax, Ontario, won the 5K in 15:49. Suzette Haggert of Kingston was the first woman to finish the 5K in 19:26. Newlywed John, "The Penguin" Bingham entertained runners at Saturday evening's pasta dinners and ran the 5K with his bride, Coach Jenny Handfield. His time? "Doesn't matter," says John.

Race Director Alan Brookes was also happy with the record turnout of more than 9000 for the marathon, half marathon and 5K, up more than 50% from 2003. Events raised more than $300,000 for 45 different charities. For complete results see http:// torontowaterfrontmarathon.com.