byLarry Eder
A Happy LAM finisher, photo by Conqur Endurance Group
BOSTON, MA [April 10, 2019] — ASICS today announced a five-year sponsorship deal with Conqur Endurance Group that will make the true sports performance brand the official footwear and apparel partner and presenting sponsor of the Los Angeles Marathon beginning in 2020. This multi-year agreement comprises significant brand integration, on-site and in- store event activations, digital and social content, broadcast integrations and online retail promotions. ASICS and Conqur will re-launch their partnership in January 2020, beginning with the Pasadena Half Marathon, as the two build on their rich history together ahead of the Los Angeles Marathon in March.
With a heritage deeply rooted in running, ASICS is making significant investments beginning this year to ensure it reclaims the top industry status including run focused activations and updates to its athlete roster–most recently signing multi-year sponsorship deals with female distance runners Emma Bates and Allie Kieffer. Emma is a 2018 USA Marathon Champion and was the first American female to cross the finish line in the 2019 NYC half marathon, placing 4th. Allie is a distance runner who placed 5th in the 2017 NYC Marathon and 7th in the 2018 NYC Marathon.
“Our partnership with Conqur to become the presenting sponsor of the Los Angeles Marathon solidifies our commitment to the run category.” said Koichiro Kodama, CEO of ASICS North America. “ASICS is back and more dedicated than ever to drive our brand forward as we build off of the very foundation we were created on – performance running. We are honored to have this opportunity once again and look forward to reconnecting with our core audience to bring the west coast community together to celebrate this great sport.”
In addition to the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon, ASICS will expand its partnership in Southern California by becoming official partners of the Pasadena Half Marathon at the Rose Bowl, The LA Big 5K, and Santa Monica Classic 5K and 10K. ASICS will also look to support Conqur’s extensive youth running and community programs.
“For the 30th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Marathon ASICS lit-up L.A. by spotlighting every mile of the Stadium to the Sea course. It’s fitting that we’re reconnected with ASICS in time for the Marathon’s 35th Anniversary race on March 8, 2020. Conqur Endurance Group has grown over the past 4 years to become the running events and programming leader in Southern California,” said Murphy Reinschreiber, Conqur’s Chief Operating Officer. “Our year- round calendar of running events includes everything from kids’ dashes to the Los Angeles Marathon. We are also very proud to provide extensive support for two of the most successful youth/school programs in the country, Students Run LA (SRLA) and 26th Mile. Over 70 charities successfully fund raise against our running events each year. And, through our LA Road Runners program, we are developing a large community of running clubs throughout Los Angeles to promote participation and the healthy running lifestyle.”
“ASICS’ focus on performance running and growing the reach of the sport enhances our mission,” Reinschreiber continued. “We’re excited by the opportunity to collaborate with ASICS to continue to grow the local, national and international stature and footprint of our races and programs through ASICS elite athlete appearances, retail stores, education and media. It’s great to know that ASICS will be with us every step of the way.”
Leading into the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon, ASICS will launch a collection of limited edition products, featuring footwear, apparel and accessories for the 2020 race. The collection will be available at asics.com, select ASICS retail stores and the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon Expo.
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About ASICS
Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body,” is an old Latin phrase from which ASICS is derived and the fundamental platform on which the brand still stands. The company was founded more than 60 years ago by Kihachiro Onitsuka and is now a leading designer and manufacturer of running shoes, as well as, other athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.asics.com.
The stripe design featured on the sides of the ASICS® shoes is a registered trademark of ASICS Corporation.
Conqur Endurance Group creates world-class experiences that ignite passion in athletes and connect communities through the transformative power of sport. The Los Angeles Marathon is among the largest marathons in the country with 25,000 participants, thousands of volunteers and hundreds of thousands of spectators. The “Stadium to the Sea” course, starting at Dodger Stadium and finishing near the Santa Monica Pier, is one of the most scenic in the world, taking runners on a tour of Los Angeles past every major landmark. In addition to the marquee event, Conqur Endurance Group produces the Pasadena Half Marathon & 5K at the Rose Bowl, the Santa Monica Classic 5K/10K and the LA BIG 5K. Conqur also owns and operates one of the largest marathon training programs in the U.S., the LA Road Runners. Through official charity programs and strategic partnerships, Conqur supports dozens of nonprofit partners; the most notable being Students Run LA, one of the foremost nonprofit youth running programs in the nation. For more information, please visit www.goconqur.com.
