FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Medtronic Extends Title Sponsorship of Twin Cities Marathon Through 2020
Building on Nearly a Decade of Growth, Partnership Allows Twin Cities In
Motion to Continue to Expand and Enhance Race Events and Youth Programming
MINNEAPOLIS - Sept. 29, 2014 - Medtronic and Twin Cities In Motion, the
organizers of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, today announced a
five-year, $2.5 million agreement that will keep Medtronic as the title
sponsor of the Twin Cities Marathon and three additional Twin Cities In
Motion events through 2020: the TC 1 Mile, TC Family Events, and TC 10
Mile. Additionally, Medtronic will continue to support the Medtronic TC
Kids Marathon, a nationally recognized youth running program that promotes
exercise, wellness and healthy lifestyles.
Since Medtronic became title sponsor of the four events in 2006, Twin
Cities In Motion has seen event participation increase more than 42
percent. A recent Twin Cities survey shows that 21 percent of the
population is jogging or running, a 25 percent increase since 2009. The
demand for running has prompted Twin Cities In Motion to offer nine
additional events that occur throughout the year, in addition to marathon
weekend, as well as five TC Challenge Race Series. The Medtronic Twin
Cities Marathon, dubbed the "The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in
America®," is the 9th largest marathon in the United States.
"This partnership clearly has enabled us to do more to promote health and
fitness in Minnesota," said Virginia Brophy Achman, Twin Cities In Motion
executive director. "We have more children and family members running in
TCM events than ever before, and we will continue to expand our reach with
our award-winning TC Kids Program."
More than 5,000 children participate annually in one of three Medtronic TC
Kids Marathon events, and have run a collective 316,887 miles since the
program's inception in 2006. The program offers an opportunity for children
from diverse communities and socioeconomic backgrounds in the Twin Cities
area to experience the benefits of physical activity and satisfaction of
accomplishing meaningful goals. The Medtronic TC Kids Marathon was named
the Youth Program of the Year in 2009 and the Youth Running Event of the
Year in 2008 by Running USA.
"These world-class events provide an exceptional opportunity for all
Minnesotans to come together to run, walk, wheel, volunteer and connect as
a community," says Dr. Jacob Gayle, vice president, Medtronic Philanthropy.
"We hope our continued support allows Twin Cities In Motion to continue its
impressive growth, while bringing even more people from all over the world
to the Twin Cities to celebrate their passion for running and for life."
In addition to the event sponsorship, Medtronic partners with Twin Cities
In Motion to manage the Medtronic Global Heroes program, which celebrates
runners from around the world who have a medical device to treat conditions
such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and spinal and neurological
disorders. This year 25 runners representing 10 countries will be
participating in the program, running either the Medtronic Twin Cities
Marathon or Medtronic TC 10 Mile. Since the program's inception, a total of
209 Global Heroes representing 28 countries have run in marathon weekend
events.
About Twin Cities In Motion (TCM): Twin Cities In Motion organizes the
region's premier running events, including the Medtronic Twin Cities
Marathon, a Top 10 U.S. Marathon. With a mission of promoting healthy
lifestyles through running events and community outreach, TCM contributes a
portion of every race dollar to local youth and professional athletes and
helps raise more than $800,000 annually with its charity partners. For more
information, visit us at tcmevents.org, or find us on Facebook and on
Twitter @tcmarathon.
About Medtronic Philanthropy
Medtronic Philanthropy focuses on expanding access to quality chronic
disease care among underserved populations worldwide, in addition to
supporting health initiatives in communities where Medtronic employees live
and give.
About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the
global leader in medical technology-alleviating pain, restoring health and
extending life for millions of people around the world.
###
|
