LIVESTRONG Extends Partnership With the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon

LIVESTRONG  announced it has extended its partnership with the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon to 2020. The economic impact of the partnership is projected to bring $120 million to Austin over 10 years. The 2012 LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon is Sun., Feb. 19.

“I am looking forward to participating in the LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon again in 2012,” said Lance Armstrong, LIVESTRONG founder and chairman. “This is a great race with a challenging course and an even bigger purpose — raising funds and awareness for cancer. I am especially proud to run with so many of my fellow cancer survivors who are showing this disease who’s boss by not just surviving, but thriving in the wake of adversity.”

Lance Armstrong. Photo: pgalego.bloguedesporto.com

“LIVESTRONG is delighted about the commitment we’ve made to serve as the title partner of the LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon through 2020,” said Doug Ulman, LIVESTRONG president and CEO. “The impact of our commitment extends far beyond the race itself — to the City of Austin, LIVESTRONG and cancer survivors around the world.”

“The relationship that began last year between the Austin Marathon and LIVESTRONG was inspiring and laid an exceptional basis to expand the partnership; it will only take off from here over the next nine years,” said John Conley, race director for the LIVESTRONG Austin Marathon and Half Marathon. “We have an opportunity to create an even more competitive and attractive marathon for our runners while we extend the LIVESTRONG and Austin Marathon brands at both the local and international levels. If you thought last year’s event was good, just wait until February 19.”

“Austin is already a healthy community, and we’re all committed to getting even healthier,” said Texas Senator Kirk Watson, a cancer survivor and original LIVESTRONG board member. “We’re home to one of the great universities in the world, a burgeoning medical education effort that should culminate in a medical school and health science center, and great partners and neighbors like LIVESTRONG. “I applaud and thank the Foundation for the role it’s taken in our community and the good it’s done around the world. Efforts like these will only make Austin healthier, stronger and more prosperous.”

Since its inception in 1992, the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon has generated more than $150 million for the local Austin economy and $6 million for Austin non-profits. Registration for the event, which includes a marathon (26.2 miles) and a half marathon (13.1 miles), is now open at www.youraustinmarathon.com . In its more than 20-year history, nearly 150,000 runners from all 50-states and more than 40 nations have crossed the finish line to earn the Austin Marathon a place as the 23rd largest marathon in the United States.

The event’s goal for the next decade remains focused on organizing a world-class marathon that unites the community, brings national attention to the region, promotes health and fitness, and serves as a fundraising engine for both local and national charities through 26 Miles for 26 Charities. This program directly connects the central-Texas non-profit community to the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon through support of its 26 water stops, while creating a platform for the selected non-profits to generate public awareness of their mission and dollars from charity runners to support their cause.

The charities selected to participate in the 2012 race represent a broad spectrum of the important work being done in the areas of animal rights, education, environment, healthcare, fitness and social services. They are: ACTIVE Life Movement; Blue Dog Rescue; Boys & Girls Club of the Austin Area; Capital of Texas Team Survivor; Caring Family Network; Catholic Charities of Central Texas; Colin’s Hope; Con MI MADRE; Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America; CureDuchenne; Girls on the Run of Austin; Hand to Hold; Hill Country Conservancy; LIVESTRONG; Manos de Cristo; Odyssey School; Pancreatic Cancer Action Network; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas; RRISD Project Graduation 5K; Seton Southwest Hospital; Spirit Reins; Superhero Kids; Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure(R) benefiting the Komen Austin; Sustainable Food Center; Team Spiridon; and The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.

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