Press Release
Friday, April 12, 2002
For: Immediate Release
Contact: Beth Shluger, Race Director (860) 652-8866
UNITED TECHNOLOGIES STEPS UP AS TITLE SPONSOR FOR THE 2002
GREATER HARTFORD MARATHON
HARTFORD - United Technologies Corporation, the world’s most admired
aerospace and defense company according to Fortune magazine, has assumed
title sponsorship of the Greater Hartford Marathon.
United Technologies (NYSE:UTX) today pledged its support and commitment to
the marathon, which is the largest single-day sporting event in
Connecticut. "We are delighted to be a part of this important community
event," said Jacqueline Strayer, Director, Contribution and Communication
Services at UTC. "The marathon is an opportunity for us to engage our
employee volunteers and celebrate the beauty and vitality of our region."
The United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon is expected to draw about
7,000 runners from throughout the U.S. and 12 other countries on Saturday,
Oct. 12, during the region’s peak foliage season. Two of UTC’s six
Connecticut-based business units and its corporate headquarters are within
the municipalities that host the marathon. Pratt & Whitney is based in East
Hartford, UTC Fuel Cells is in South Windsor, and the corporation is
headquartered in Hartford. UTC also owns Carrier and Otis Elevator, both
based in Farmington, Hamilton Sundstrand in Windsor Locks, and Sikorsky
Aircraft in Stratford.
The Hartford Marathon announced last month that a search was under way for
a corporate title sponsor for the event. Aetna had sponsored the race from
1994 to 2001, during which the race grew in popularity, attracting more
than 6,000 runners last October. The marathon is ranked the eighth best in
North America by Marathon & Beyond Magazine, the sport’s rating
publication. Several hundred marathons are currently held in North America.
The marathon served as a fund raiser for five official race charities in
2001. Individual, team and corporate runners and walkers hold dozens of
additional fund-raising efforts to fight cancer and other specific causes.
In 2001, $234,000 was raised through marathon events. The United Way of
Greater Hartford, American Diabetes Association, Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center and Arthritis Foundation
benefited from fund raising during the 26.2-mile race.
United Technologies executives told marathon officials that the event’s
ongoing efforts to benefit Greater Hartford’s communities and charitable
organizations, while promoting fitness and health, weighed heavily in the
company’s decision to support the marathon.
‘Most Admired’ and ‘World Class’
Race director and marathon founder Beth Shluger said: "We are delighted to
have United Technologies as our partner. With them, we will redouble our
successful charity and fund-raising efforts. That the marathon continues to
receive first-class corporate support is most gratifying.
"This sponsorship says a lot about United Technologies’ commitment to the
local community," she added. "We will continue to bring Connecticut a
world-class event this October. Expect to see some very fast runners, and
bet on this – everyone will have a lot of fun here this autumn."
The marathon starting gun sounds at Hartford’s Bushnell Park. Runners pace
themselves as they run over the Founders Bridge spanning the Connecticut
River, proceed through East Hartford, then South Windsor, back to Hartford
and out to Elizabeth Park on West Hartford’s border. The race finishes
under the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch downtown. More than 25,000
spectators viewed the race last year, and about $2.3 million was pumped
into the local economy by the race and related events.
The United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon will present five running
events: the 26.2-mile marathon, a 13.1-mile half marathon, a 3.1- mile 5K,
a Team Relay, and the popular Kids K for children. More than 1,300
volunteers help stage the event, and leading corporations, civic groups,
schools and clubs participate each year. Volunteers are provided with ample
food and beverages, wind shirts, T-shirts, "goodie bags" and invitations to
all events.
Post race concerts, parties, the annual pasta "carbo-loading" supper, a
sports exposition, race day entertainment, In-Training programs, and
celebrity and political visitors are all components of the marathon. For
additional information, call 860-652-8866, email info@hartfordmarathon.com
or visit the marathon’s award-winning Web site: http://www.HartfordMarathon.com
or write to: United Technologies Greater Hartford Marathon, 119 Hebron Ave.,
Glastonbury, CT, 06033.
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