FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The San Francisco Marathon® Announces its Partnership with Wipro and is
Ready to Run on July 31, 2011.
San Francisco, Ca- July 22, 2011- The San Francisco Marathon announced a
partnership today with Wipro Technologies, the Global Information
Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing business of Wipro Limited
(NYSE: WIT). Wipro will be the presenting sponsor for 2011 and title
the marathon in 2012 and 2013. The three-year association brings
together the technology focused community event with the global leader in
information technology, consulting and outsourcing.
Pamela Madigan, Race Director of The SF Marathon said, "We are extremely
excited about the formation of this historic partnership.
Wipro's international technology leadership combined with the innovative
direction The San Francisco Marathon is undertaking will bring exciting new
opportunities and synergies to our athletes and the greater running
community".
Rajan Kohli, Chief Marketing Officer, Wipro Technologies said, "Wipro is
happy to be associated with The San Francisco Marathon, a landmark event
for the local community and the country. The SF Marathon celebrates the
spirit of the many entrepreneurial successes of individuals here and echoes
Wipro's ethos of giving back to the community where we do business. The
"Spirit of Wipro" strongly advocates the intensity to win, so we wish all
the participants luck for the historic marathon run."
The 34th running of The San Francisco Marathon (TSFM) sponsored by Wipro
will take place on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Known for its beautiful scenic
views, TSFM presented by Wipro is the only race that runs in the roadbed of
the Golden Gate Bridge. The USATF (USA Track and Field) certified loop
course starts at the Ferry Building, runs along the Embarcadero, over the
Bridge, along the coastline, through Golden Gate Park and the
Haight-Ashbury District and past AT&T Park before finishing in front of
Cupid's Arrow.
TSFM presented by Wipro is rated one of the top marathons in the US, is the
largest marathon in Northern California, the 13th largest marathon in the
US and is a Boston Marathon qualifier. It generated over $42,000,000 in
economic output impact for the city of San Francisco in 2010.
Marathon events include the full marathon, two-half marathons, a 5K, a
progressive marathon and the second annual Munchkin Kids Run. The elite
runners will start the race at 5:30am followed by the remainder of the
field with rolling start times between 5:30-6:45am. The first of the 25,000
marathon runners will begin crossing the Bridge at about 6am with the last
runner coming off by approximately 9am.
The winner of last year's marathon and course record holder, Keith Bechtol,
will be returning this year to run the half marathon while three time
winner, Andrew Cook, hopes to regain the course record he last set in 2007.
Michael Wardian, another elite to watch, won the National Marathon in
Washington D.C. in five of the last six years and won the US 50 km
championships in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Wardian just qualified for the US
Olympic Marathon Trials in 2012.
One of the many talented women to watch is Kami Semi, who also recently
qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials and will be participating in
the full marathon. She is hoping to add TSFM presented by Wipro to her
already impressive list of victories in the Seattle, Portland (twice), San
Jose and Atlanta marathons. Another woman to watch, Caroline Kirui will be
running the second half marathon and is visiting from Kenya on a working
visa. Caroline is trying to establish herself as a mid-distance runner.
There are several celebrities that are running to raise money and awareness
for their favorite charities. Sophia Bush of the television show One Tree
Hill will be running the 5K to promote volunteerism as well as raise money
for The Nature Conservancy. Bush will be hosting the Fundraiser Superstar
Tent where there will be food and drink, ice baths for aching feet, massage
and a private gear check before the race. All runners who raise $1,000 or
more for an approved charity will have access to this tent at the
start/finish line. Jared Fogle, spokesperson for Subway, will be running
with Olympic Gold Medalist and Dancing with the Stars Champion, Apolo Ohno,
to raise awareness for the Jared Foundation whose mission is to stamp out
childhood obesity. Ada Wong and Jesse Atkins, contestants of season 10's
Biggest Loser, will be running the first half marathon to raise funds for
the American Red Cross.
Sam Felsenfeld and Dane Rauschenberg, charity runners, will be chasing all
of the marathon runners for charity. Both will be starting dead last and
seeking pledges for every runner they pass, with proceeds going to their
respective charities. Sam's running for the American Institute for Cancer
and the Be Aware Foundation and Dane is running for Committed2Community to
raise money for volunteer groups that help with the marathon. Sam and Dane
will see who can pass the most runners and ultimately raise the most money
for charity.
And then there's Tim Borland... In 2007, Tim Borland set out on what proved
to be a life-changing journey, traveling across the U.S., as he and his
family embarked on the A-T CureTour. His purpose and mission was to help
advance the work of the A-T Children's Project, fighting a rare and fatal
children's disease called Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T).
Tim ran a full 26.2 miles each day for 63 days in 63 different communities
across the U.S. while pushing a mobility-jogging stroller.
Since completing this incredible feat, Tim has continued to fight for a
cure for A-T. He will lead the A-T Cure Team in San Francisco by running
the full marathon while pushing young patient Cathryn in her wheelchair.
Come support your community, join in the fun and help cheer on the runners.
There will be over 20 cheer stations, 36 bands and forms of entertainment
along the course including the San Francisco Boys Chorus, The Beehavers,
Abada Capoeira, The Space Cowboys' Unimog and LoCura at the finish line.
The Art Mile will be between mile 24-25 on Terry Francois Blvd. so be on
the lookout for San Francisco's best art cars, cheer groups, costumes,
music and fun. Please check:
http://www.thesfmarathon.com/get-involved/spectator for more details.
Hope to see you there!
About Wipro Technologies
Wipro Technologies, the global IT business of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) is a
leading Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing company, that
delivers solutions to enable its clients do business better. Wipro
Technologies delivers winning business outcomes through its deep industry
experience and a 360 degree view of "Business through Technology" – helping
clients create successful and adaptive businesses. A company recognized
globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, a practitioner's
approach to delivering innovation and an organization wide commitment to
sustainability, Wipro Technologies has 120,000 employees and clients across
54 countries. For more information, please visit www.wipro.com
###
|
