PR91112

TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

    -- A new mobile app will keep participants connected as they run, walk, or

roll in support of 35 youth-focused charities in 19 countries

Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, RBC Race for the Kids will return in

its global, virtual format for an event weekend on October 16-17, 2021. Today,

RBC opened registration for the event weekend and announced plans for its

reimagined, virtual participant experience with a new mobile app.

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At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, RBC proactively pivoted its long-running

RBC Race for the Kids event series to a global, virtual format – ensuring it

could continue to support young people around the globe while facing necessary

restrictions for public gatherings. As a result, $8.8 million was raised by

over 33,000 participants in 2020, benefiting dozens of youth-focused charity

partners whose supports and services were needed more than ever.

A new way to race

RBC Race for the Kids is open to all, regardless of geography, age, or fitness

ability. Participants can register for free on rbcraceforthekids.com [https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3255959-1&h=2848194856&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbcraceforthekids.com%2F&a=rbcraceforthekids.com] - an integrated registration and fundraising platform providing a seamless

experience.

New for 2021, RBC Race for the Kids participants will experience the event

weekend through a mobile app. After registering, participants can download the

app to begin engaging with its many exciting, interactive features, including:

    - Selecting a pre-determined distance to complete in their local community

      (with no set routes). Based on their chosen distance, the app will share

      a series of audio cues during the event to encourage and excite

      participants towards their personal finish line.

    - Choosing the most convenient method of recording their activity: through

      the integrated, in-app tracker or by linking to a wearable fitness

      device.

    - Tracking training kilometers/miles, competing against individuals or

      teams to climb leaderboards, and following their peers' training

      activity.

    - Recording their event performance and sharing their route map/photos

      within the app event feed –or posting to their personal social media

      channels.

    - Unlocking the app's augmented-reality lens to use face filters and

      digital medals during and after completing their event – which can also

      be posted to their personal social media channels.

Participants are encouraged to complete their run, walk, or roll independently

or with family members and friends, while observing local public health advice

and government guidelines.

Support youth from wherever you are

Regardless of where participants are physically located, they can choose to

support any of the 35 participating charity partners during their registration

process. Located around the globe, all participating partners offer critical

supports and services for youth in their local communities.

RBC Race for the Kids' 2021 partners include:

    - Alberta Children's Hospital (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/alberta-childrens-hospital-foundation/home]

    - Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (Bahamas) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/bahamas-technical-vocational-institute/home]

    - basis.point (Ireland) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/basis-point/home ]

    - BC Children's Hospital (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/bc-childrens-hospital-foundation/home]

    - Big Brothers Big Sisters (Cayman Islands) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/big-brothers-big-sisters/home ]

    - Boyer Children's Clinic (USA) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/boyer-childrens-clinic/home ]

    - Boys and Girls Club Association of HK (Hong Kong) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/boys-and-girls-club-association-of-hk/home]

    - Bridge for Smile (Japan) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/bridge-for-smile/home ]

    - Caribbean Children's Cancer Fund (Trinidad & Tobago) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/caribbean-childrens-cancer-fund/home ]

    - Casa Cuna Progreso Foundation (Aruba) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/casa-cuna-progreso-foundation/home ]

    - CHEO Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/cheo-foundation/home ]

    - Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/childrens-hospital-foundation-of-manitoba-inc/home]

    - CHU Saint Justine's Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/sainte-justines-foundation/home ]

    - Comer Children's Hospital (USA) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/view/comer-childrens-hospital ]

    - Croix Rouge (Luxembourg) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/croix-rouge/home ]

    - Die Arche (Germany) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/view/die-arche ]

    - Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/durrell-wildlife-conservation-trust/home]

    - Fundashon Norma I Balor (Curacao) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/fundashon-norma-i-balor/home ]

    - Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (UK) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/gosh/home ]

    - IWK (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/iwk-foundation/home ]

    - Janeway Children's Hospital Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/janeway-childrens-hospital-foundation/home]

    - Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/jim-pattison-childrens-hospital-foundation/home]

    - London Children's Health Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/london-childrens-health-foundation/home]

    - McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/mcmaster-childrens-hospital-foundation-hamilton/home]

    - Memorial Sloan Kettering (USA) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/memorial-sloan-kettering/home ]

    - PINTAR Foundation (Malaysia) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/pintar-foundation/home]

    - Ronald McDonald House NY (USA) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/ronald-mcdonald-house-new-york/home ]

    - Ronald McDonald House Upper MidWest (USA) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/rmh-upper-midwest/home ]

    - Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney (Australia) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/rmhc-sydney/home ]

    - Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/royal-victoria-regional-health-centre/home]

    - Singapore Children's Society (Singapore) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/singapore-childrens-society/home ]

    - Sunnybrook Foundation (Canada) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/sunnybrook/home ]

    - Sur les bancs de l'ecole (France) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/sur-les-bancs-de-lecole/home ]

    - University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (Barbados) [https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/university-west-indies-cave-hill-campus/home]

    - Youth Inc (USA) [ https://www.rbcraceforthekids.com/event/youth-inc/home]

Prior to 2020, RBC Race for the Kids events took place in 17 physical

locations, including: Bahamas, Barbados, Calgary, Chicago, Hong Kong, Jersey,

Kuala Lumpur, London, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, St. Paul, Sydney,

Toronto, Trinidad & Tobago, and Vancouver. To date, the series has seen over

290,000 participants who have collectively raised more than $65 million.

In addition to continuing to host RBC Race for the Kids, RBC has committed $13

million to date towards food security, mental health, and strategic

preparedness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, RBC aligned more

than $140 million in donations to its strategic priority pillars, directing

funds to local community organizations and causes in the places where it

operates.

To learn more about RBC Race for the Kids, its charity partners, or the virtual

event experience, visit: rbcraceforthekids.com [https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3255959-1&h=2848194856&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbcraceforthekids.com%2F&a=rbcraceforthekids.com].

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven,

principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes

from the 86,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to

bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive

and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in

the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model

with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17

million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at

rbc.com [https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3255959-1&h=623067732&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbc.com%2F&a=rbc.com].

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through

donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at

rbc.com/community-social-impact [https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=3255959-1&h=3340397650&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rbc.com%2Fcommunity-social-impact&a=rbc.com%2Fcommunity-social-impact].

For more information, please contact:

Josh Humeniuk

josh.humeniuk@rbc.com

Corporate Communications, RBC

+1-416-567-5607

SOURCE:  RBC