LONG BEACH, Calif., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
The Long Beach International City Bank Marathon Half Marathon today announced that Volkswagen of America has signed as the Official Automotive Partner of Southern California’s premier fall marathon event held Oct. 5 to 7, 2012.
Approximately 25,000 runners and cyclists are expected to participate in the full marathon, half marathon, 26.2 Bike Tour and Run Forrest Run 5K on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 along with 2,000 children taking part in The Aquarium of the Pacific Kids One-Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 6. An estimated 50,000 people attend the two-day Health and Fitness Expo while an additional 50,000 attend the Finish Line Festival. The event has raised and donated over $3.5 million to its official charities since 2005. For information on the Marathon events, please visit
www.runlongbeach.com .
The two-year agreement with Volkswagen includes sponsorship of the Volkswagen 26.2 Bike Tour, a major interactive display in the two-day Health and Fitness Expo and a large Fan Festival at the Finish Line. Volkswagen will also showcase their global “Think Blue” sustainability campaign, an initiative to promote eco-friendly mobility and progressive ideas for responsible action in everyday life.
“Volkswagen is proud to align with a world-class endurance event whose commitment to sustainability mirrors our own,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “Through this partnership, we look forward to both supporting those with a passion for active lifestyles and advancing our ‘Think Blue’ philosophy. We are excited to join with Run Racing and the City of Long Beach to offer consumers unique sustainability experiences that not only showcase Volkswagen’s fuel-efficient product range and innovative manufacturing practices, but also promote individual action to support eco-friendly behavior.”
“We are honored and excited to have the world’s leading automotive company actively involved in making Long Beach one of the premier marathon and cycling events in the nation. Our partnership with Volkswagen reflects a shared commitment to innovation, healthy lifestyles and sustainability. Running and cycling are the ultimate eco-friendly ways to get around and Volkswagen’s ‘Think Blue’ campaign is right in line with the City’s goals and the participants’ interests,” said Bob Seagren, CEO of Run Racing, the event promoter.
While part of the greater Los Angeles metro,
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