FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Burch
Des Moines Marathon
515.288.2692
Des Moines Marathon Announces
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
as Title Sponsor of 2006 Sports & Fitness Expo
Des Moines, Iowa (May 15, 2006) - The Des Moines Marathon announced today
that it is partnering with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield as title
sponsor of the Sports & Fitness Expo. The Expo takes place October 13 and
14 and serves as the official kick off, as well as the location of athlete
packet pick up for the IMT Des Moines Marathon to be held October 15, 2006.
"This is yet another day of celebration for the future of the Des Moines
Marathon," said Chris Burch, Director of Racing and Events. "We have been
working very closely to secure the correct partnership for Wellmark Blue
Cross and Blue Shield and our event. Today, we couldn't be more satisfied.
Naming rights of the Sports & Fitness Expo allows this Iowa based company
to remain committed to their mission, while supporting a community event
here in Des Moines."
"We are an organization dedicated to improving the health status of the
communities in which we live and work," said Andrea Smith, Senior
Communications Consultant/Community Relations, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue
Shield. "Wellmark believe that supporting events like the Des Moines
Marathon and the Sports & Fitness Expo is crucial to raising the awareness
of the importance of achieving better health. We also know that promoting
healthy behaviors can positively impact rising health care costs, and the
more educated people are about fitness and nutrition, the more likely they
are to be engaged in achieving and maintaining better health. And as a
large employer in Iowa, we also believe that the Des Moines Marathon is a
great event for our city - one that will certainly bring additional
visitors and guests to Des Moines."
The two day Sports and Fitness Expo will be held at the Polk County
Convention Center. The Expo features national vendors, local businesses and
area attractions and hands on demonstrations. National marathon speakers
Joe Henderson, an Iowa native and Drake graduate, and Patti Dillon will
keynote the Speaker Series. The Expo is free and open to the general
public on October 13 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and October 14 from 10:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m.
Athletes for all events must visit the Sports & Fitness Expo to pick up
their race registration materials. Race day on October 15 includes the
Marathon and Half Marathon, 5-Person Marathon Relay Challenge, 5K Road Race
and Kids Run. The Des Moines Marathon is anticipating 5,000 athletes in
all events and over 7,000 to pass through the Expo.
"The focus of the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Sports & Fitness Expo
is two fold. Not only does it serve as our first chance to interact with
our athletes over the course of race weekend, it also provides us with an
opportunity to offer an Expo with a free health and fitness message to our
community. It really is a stand alone event for anyone who would like to
learn more about active participation in a healthy lifestyle," Burch
explained.
Registration for all events is open online at www.desmoinesmarathon.com.
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