RunVermont announces People’s United Bank as new Vermont City Marathon title sponsor
Burlington, Vermont (September 22, 2014)
– RunVermont is pleased to introduce People’s United Bank as the new
title sponsor for the Vermont City Marathon. Beginning today, the
marathon will be known as the People’s United Bank Vermont City
Marathon.
“RunVermont
is excited to be partnering with People’s United Bank as we look to the
future,” says RunVermont Board Chair Kevin Dwyer. “We think the
partnership is a strong fit with the marathon’s demographic footprint,
the shared commitment to community, and the enthusiasm to create a
healthy lifestyle. This partnership will leverage the network of
People’s United Bank throughout the northeast states and also bring the
awareness of the event to a new level within the region.”
“We
are thrilled to take on the role of title sponsor of the Vermont City
Marathon & Relay beginning in 2015. Through strong partnerships and
the hard work of the RunVT staff, this event has grown to be an
important milestone kicking off our Vermont summers,” said Michael
Seaver, Vermont President – People’s United Bank. “With our locations
throughout New England and New York, we hope to bring much more
regional awareness and growth to the marathon. “
The
partnership grew out of the marathon’s need to compete in an
ever-tightening market for “destination marathons” and People’s United
Bank’s position as a New England based institution.
“At
RunVermont, we see that market conditions and competitive influences
are offering today’s runners many more choices and we have to be
prepared to meet those challenges,” says Executive Director Peter
Delaney. “Consequently, our team opened our discussions up to potential
new sponsors, and in the final evaluation decided that a change would
provide new opportunities.”
According
to Running USA, the number of marathons in the United States grew from
300 in the year 2000 to more than 1100 in 2013. Vermont alone has seen
the number of marathons in state double from 2 to 4 since 2009.
“Marathons
have evolved, and staying ahead of the pack requires not only our
traditional approach to creating a great course with supportive
volunteers and spectators, but also new ways of targeting marketing and
race promotion,” says Delaney. “Beginning with our 2015 event, we think
people will begin to see how we’re strengthening the future of this
marathon and all of RunVermont’s events.”
In
2014, Vermont City Marathon attracted 3100 marathoners, 5100 relay
runners and more than 1700 volunteers to Burlington. The event is now
the centerpiece of a weekend that also includes the Sport & Fitness
Expo and the MVP Health Care Yam Scram Youth Running Festival. The
combination of all activities associated with the Vermont City Marathon
brings an estimated economic boost of $3.5M to the local economy every
year.
Based
in Connecticut, People’s United Bank is a subsidiary of People’s United
Financial, Inc., a diversified financial services company with $33
billion in assets. People’s United Bank, founded in 1842, is a premier,
community-based, regional bank in the Northeast offering commercial and
retail banking, as well as wealth management services through a network
of over 400 retail locations in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts,
Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Jack Barnes is
President and Chief Executive Officer of People’s United Bank. He is a
graduate of Northeastern University and received his MBA from the
University of Vermont. Jack, among several other senior leaders reside
in Vermont.
RunVermont
is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the promotion of
running as a life-long activity through complementary programs that
celebrate the athletic spirit, are recognized nationally, and embrace
the Vermont community. In addition to its premier Memorial Day weekend
events, RunVermont presents the FirstRun Burlington 5k each January 1st;
the Half Unplugged half marathon in the spring; Ready, Set, Run spring
and summer youth running programs; and consulting, timing and race
services support for other Vermont running events.