byLarry EderCongrats to our friends at Chevron Houston Marathon and their sponsors, the ABB Team Challenge and the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute EXPO, who have committed through 2012! As usual, our lesson for today is: in this time of economic uncertainty, a thoughtful, long term approach to sports marketing benefits both the event and the sponsor. Long term relationships allow sponsor and event to develop the brand building pass posting signs everywhere. Sponsors want to become part of the community, and events and their special promotions can give the emotional tie that can not be found by merely advertising in a market.
Congrats to Steve Karpas and his team!
Sponsors Extend Commitments to
Chevron Houston Marathon
ABB and Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute
Sign Multi-year Extensions
HOUSTON, TX (Jun. 17, 2009) – The ABB Team Challenge and the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute EXPO will continue to be integral parts of the Chevron Houston Marathon weekend through 2012.
“Having two of our title sponsors commit to multi-year agreements, especially given the current economic challenges, speaks volumes to the value our event provides to our partners,” said Steven Karpas, managing director of the Chevron Houston Marathon. “Their continued support allows us to grow and enhance the race weekend experience for our 30,000 participants.”
ABB, a leader in power and automation technologies, returns as title sponsor of the inaugural 2009 ABB Team Challenge. The dual-purpose competition promotes fitness and fundraising, encouraging companies, running clubs, charity groups and individuals to form teams to participate in the marathon, half marathon or 5K. In addition, ABB will continue to raise funds for the Chevron Houston Marathon’s Run for a Reason charity program, donating $15,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network at Texas Children’s Hospital in honor of the team challenge winners.
Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute, a leader in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries and disorders, returns as title sponsor of the EXPO for the fourth consecutive year. The two-day health and wellness event kicks off the marathon weekend of events and attracts over 65,000 EXPO attendees.
In addition to ABB and Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute, Chevron, Aramco Services Company, El Paso Corporation, Under Armour, Sports Authority and H-E-B will continue as prominent supporters of the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon.
Registration for the 2010 event will open the morning of Friday, July 17 at 12:01 a.m. (CST) with a record 30,000 participants expected to register for one of four weekend races. The popularity of the races have continued to climb each year, with the marathon and half marathon selling out just 12 weeks after registration opening for the 2009 races.
The Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, EP5K and ABB Team Challenge will be held on January 17, 2010.
The Chevron Houston Marathon, a Running USA founding member, is the nation’s premier winter marathon, annually attracting participants from all 50 U.S. states and more than 20 foreign countries. In 2009, more than 26,000 runners participated in four marathon weekend events (marathon, half marathon, 5K run and children’s run). The Houston Marathon has been ranked among the top five marathons in the nation by Ultimate Guide to Marathons for fastest course, organization and crowd support. More than 5,000 volunteers organize the race, which is Houston’s largest single-day sporting event.
More information is available at www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com or 713-957-3453.
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