Northeast Utilities New Title Sponsor of NU Hartford Marathon
Hartford Marathon Foundation Announces Northeast Utilities
as Title Sponsor of NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon in October
Three-Year Partnership Supports Furthering Health, Community, Charity & Children’s Initiatives
May 14, 2014, Hartford ÛÓ The Hartford Marathon Foundation is
excited to announce Northeast Utilities as title sponsor of the NU
Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, the state’s premier running
event. With a strong 20-year history, the October 11th event
will be powered by New England’s largest utility system, supporting
growth and furthering positive impact of the marathon, half marathon, 5K
and HMF FitKids programs, which benefit more than 100,000 people across
the region annually.
“We are thrilled
to partner with Northeast Utilities, a New England company that shares
our mission to support both the physical and economic wellness of our
communities,” said Beth Shluger, Executive Director of the Hartford
Marathon Foundation and Race Director of the 2014 NU Hartford Marathon
and Half Marathon. “We are immensely proud of our 20 year history
promoting healthy lifestyles, youth wellness initiatives, charity
fundraising and economic support for local businesses and
communities. The NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon looks forward
to increasing this positive impact with the support of Northeast
Utilities.”
“We’re so proud to
combine the energy of Northeast Utilities with the power of thousands of
runners to support the greater Hartford area,” said Tom May, NU
Chairman, President and CEO. “Like the Hartford Marathon Foundation, we
have a long history of partnering with the communities we serve to
support great non-profit organizations. Together, we will build on that
shared commitment to energize the marathon’s tremendous impact on the
region.”
The
event’s economic impact continues to grow, increasing 26% from 2012 to
the 2013 event, which brought an estimated $14 million of economic value
to the area, according to a report by Witan Intelligence, Inc. With an
emphasis on utilizing local companies, the Hartford Marathon Foundation
seeks vendors, sponsors and partners that share commitment to
community. From family businesses such as Bevin Bros Manufacturing, who
make 6,000 cow bells for spectators, to local service companies like
Powerstation Events who handles sound, lighting and staging or XL Color
who creates event signage and banners, even down to the 400 locally
grown mums that line the finish.
Released earlier
this year, the Witan report indicated 94% of attendees in 2013 were
“Highly Satisfied” with their event experience. With record
participation of nearly 18,000, the marathon, half marathon, 5K and HMF
FitKids activities accommodate a wide range of demographic and athletic
profiles. Runners participate from all 50 states and every town in
Connecticut, with support of the New England’s Finest elite program
in conjunction with New England Runner magazine attracting competitive racers from across the region. Increased support
services for runners will be provided in 2014, including special
accommodations for active military and veterans. This year’s event
will introduce solar power in Bushnell Park, a mark of its continuing
commitment to sustainability, an important platform for both the
Hartford Marathon Foundation and Northeast Utilities. Receiving Gold
Certification from the Council for Responsible Sport, the marathon was
deemed the healthiest road race in the country for its comprehensive
waste-reduction and sustainability efforts.
Thousands of
participants are motivated by charity fundraising efforts, more than $6
million has been raised for charity through the event. With 26 official
charities of the 2014 NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon, efforts
to support community and philanthropic initiatives extend across the
region and reflect a variety of interests and purposes. From Team in
Training Connecticut, a partner since 2007 that has raised more than
$500,000 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to Hospital for
Special Care whose Adaptive Sports
Programs gives adults and children in the process of long-term physical
rehabilitation the opportunity to achieve fitness goals, to the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, who joined as an official charity last year.
A commitment to
youth wellness initiatives has also been a cornerstone of the
event. The HMF FitKids Fun Run on race day and the Final Mile
school-based program together touched more than 4,000 children last year
alone. The 2014 NU Hartford Marathon and Half Marathon will increase
reach to local schools and encourage family participation in the
event. Offering ¼ mile, ½ mile and one-mile race distances for children
ages 2-11, the HMF FitKids program provides an opportunity for children
to experience race day and celebrate their achievement with a finisher
medal and “Super Kid” cape.
Registration is
currently open and more information about the NU Hartford Marathon, Half
Marathon, 5K and HMF FitKids events can be found at www.HartfordMarathon.com, on Facebook at HMF Events or via Twitter at @RunHMF.
About the Hartford Marathon Foundation
The
Hartford Marathon Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded
in 1994 to create and manage fitness events that inspire people to be
healthy and fit. Located in Glastonbury, Connecticut, the Hartford
Marathon Foundation organizes nearly 42 annual athletic events,
including the Hartford Marathon, and 25 training programs. For more
information, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com and on Facebook at HMF Events.
About Northeast Utilities
Northeast
Utilities (NU) operates New England’s largest energy delivery
company. NU and its companies are committed to safety, reliability,
environmental leadership and stewardship, as well as expanding energy
options for its more than 3.5 million electric and natural gas customers
in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Headquartered in
Boston, MA and Hartford, CT, NU is a Fortune 500 company traded on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NU. Learn more about NU and
its family of companies at nu.com.
