Warming temperatures are bringing area runners out in droves as tens of thousands of local athletes prepare for Ottawa’s annual running festival, but there will be a slightly different look to this year’s events.
?MDS Nordion is once again sponsoring the five-kilometre and 10-km events, but after five years, ING, will not continue as title sponsor for the Ottawa Marathon and half-marathon in May.
And so far no other company has stepped in to take its place.?
Ottawa Race Weekend general manager Jim Robinson said they are no longer looking for someone to come in this year, but interested sponsors should take the opportunity this year to witness the event to see how it could fit.?
“We know we have a world-class event. It’s just a matter of finding the right fit and the right company,” he said. “It will happen. It’s just going to take some time.”?
But naming rights don’t come cheap, especially for the largest event of its kind in Canada.?
For the 35th anniversary of the marathon, Robinson said the race is projected to easily reach organizers’ goal of 35,000 participants.?
Robinson said they are looking for a sponsor who could commit to a three-year deal that would reach into six figures.?
The sponsor would also have to be a good fit with the race.
Robinson said cigarette companies are a non-starter and beer companies may be a tough sell, although Robinson said Labatt’s used to sponsor races years ago.?
Races from Hamburg, Germany, to Austin, Texas, have also recently lost title sponsorship.
