Edward-Elmhurst Health extends sponsorship of Naperville Half Marathon and Marathon

Edward-Elmhurst Health has extended its partnership with Naper Events to be the primary sponsor of the Naperville Half Marathon & Marathon for three more years, 2016-2018. The official title during that time will be the Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon & Marathon Sponsored by Edward-Elmhurst Health. Naper Events is the organization that puts on the event each year.

Edward-Elmhurst Health was the primary sponsor of the first three races, beginning in 2013 and including 2015, which featured a downtown Naperville start and finish, raised more than $240,000 for charity and generated more than $2 million for local businesses. Nearly 3,600 runners completed the races – nearly 2,800 half marathon finishers and more than 800 marathon finishers.

The 2016 Healthy Driven Naperville Half Marathon & Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 23 with the same start/finish location in downtown Naperville. Similar to the first three years, the 2016 Marathon will be a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon. General runner registration for the 2016 races will begin February 29. Details will be announced soon on www.naperville26.com.

“We’re excited to continue working with Naper Events and the City of Naperville to present one of the premier running events in the Midwest,” says Pam Davis, System CEO, Edward-Elmhurst Health. “It is a great opportunity for runners, volunteers and spectators to exhibit Healthy Driven habits and reach their Healthy Driven goals.”

“Edward-Elmhurst Health as our title sponsor really has been a perfect match and natural fit from day one,” says Dave Sheble, Co-Race Director, Naper Events. “We’ve had great success with the first three races and we’re looking forward to bigger and better things for the next three, and creating an even better experience for everybody who’s involved.”

As part of the agreement, the Edward Foundation continues as the Premier Charity in the event’s Charity Program. In 2015, the Foundation had 12 runners who raised nearly $11,000 to benefit Edward Hospital programs and services. This year, early exclusive “Charity Registration Week” runner registration begins February 15 for a period of two weeks prior to general registration. For more information, visit www.naperville26.com/charity-partner-registration.

Numerous Edward-Elmhurst Health departments and hundreds of employees have been involved in the first three races and will continue to take part in future races, including:

· The Edward Hospital ER, which coordinates medical services for the race, including care for runners at the Main Medical Tent and Medical Aid Stations along the course.

· Edward-Elmhurst Health employees, who volunteer at water/Gatorade stations and as course marshals.

· Edward-Elmhurst Health & Fitness Centers, which host the race Health and Fitness Expo and provide massage therapists for post-race massages.

· Edward Hospital’s Rehab & Sports Medicine Department, which helps runners with post-race stretching and injury screening.

For more information, visit www.naperville26.com.