How to Sponsor a Marathon

Gain exposure for your company or organization while giving back to the community by sponsoring a marathon race. Participants of races often reach high numbers and include runners, volunteers, organizers and spectators. In some cases, the event may be televised or covered by the local papers. Aside from promoting health and fitness, many races are also charitable, which means your sponsorship expense goes way beyond just a marketing tool. A marathon sponsorship is an opportunity to support your local community, promote fitness and form new business relationships.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a marathon event in your desired area. Websites like Runnersworld.com, Active.com and Marathonguide.com provide directories of marathon races nationwide. When choosing, consider an event that fits with your company or organization's interests. Marathons vary in focus and support causes outside of sports and fitness, such as the military, autism research, breast cancer awareness or youth programs.

    • 2

      Contact the marathon office or the sales director of the event. Contact information is available on the official website of the race.

    • 3

      Identify a level of sponsorship that fits your needs. The types of sponsorship vary depending on the marathon.

      For example, when the Orange County Marathon was held in Southern California in May 2011, sponsors could choose from a variety of levels, ranging from the $5,000 Friends Sponsor to the $150,000 Title Sponsor. In the first category, sponsors' company brand names and logos were placed on all race advertising and promotional materials, on the race website and in the spectator guide; they also could hang one banner. In the top category, the sponsor's name was on a variety of promotional materials, such as the race bibs, the race finisher's certificate, in news releases, on race posters and more.

    • 4

      Prepare a special memento that advertises your company for the race day. Often, the marathon will allow sponsors to insert an item in a goody bag given to participants or to distribute them to spectators.