The Pittsburgh Marathon will be held May 3rd 2009 and will be renamed the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. The marathon was last run back in 2003 and had hosted the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Mens Marathon in 2000, and several USA marathon championships before going out of business from a lack of financial support from sponsors and the city itself.
Dick's said it signed on as a title sponsor given that its corporate headquarters are now located in Pittsburgh, and its growing focus on running.
“Since moving our corporate headquarters here in 1994, Dick's Sporting Goods has grown to more than 340 stores in 36 states,” said Jeffrey R. Hennion, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Dick's Sporting Goods. “During that time, we have been proud to call Pittsburgh our home and today we are just as proud to be announcing our title sponsorship of the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon. This is truly an event with a great legacy, and, given our focus on being the ultimate destination for runners, we are very excited to be a part of its return.”
“We are pleased to invite the world back to America's Most Livable City to run the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. “We are grateful for the vision and leadership of Dick's, Respironics and UPMC Sports Medicine in helping to bring this exciting event back to our City. I look forward to joining the people of our unique neighborhoods as they line the streets of Pittsburgh to cheer on the runners.”
“For 19 years, the Pittsburgh Marathon brought international recognition, increased health awareness, and substantial economic benefits to Southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato. “The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon is the perfect vehicle to showcase our region as a great place to live, work, play, and run.”
