Contact: Pete Eshelman 540.540.1550 (x104)

Blue Ridge Marathon Secures National College as Peak Sponsor
Carilion Clinic, Valley Bank, & Fink’s Jewelers add additional sponsorship support

Roanoke, VA. (December 07, 2009) National College has 3725108355_a19ffd263bsigned on as the Peak sponsor for the Blue Ridge Marathon which will be held on April 24, 2010 in Roanoke, Virginia. Carilion Clinic and Valley Bank are Overlook sponsors, while Fink’s Jewelers in association with TAG Heuer will be the event’s official timekeeper.

“National College didn’t hesitate when presented with the chance to be our Peak sponsor,” said Race Director Ronny Angell, who explained that the sponsorship levels were named after mountain features in honor of the peaks that mark the marathon’s first 16 miles. Angell is President of Odyssey Adventure Racing, and National College has also sponsored a series of Sprint Adventure Races through Odyssey.

“I’m pleased for National College to be a part of something that signifies health and fitness, while showcasing the Roanoke Valley,” said National College President Frank E. Longaker. National’s involvement is in keeping with its ongoing push to promote healthy living among its employees. Recently the college implemented two wellness programs. Now National College is offering to pay the entry fee of its employees at each of its 26 campuses who are interested in participating in the marathon.

Carilion Clinic and Valley Bank have taken two of the three cityavailable Overlook sponsorships. “We saw this as an opportunity to support wellness in the Valley and the region’s outdoor attractions,” said Dr. Edward Murphy, President and CEO of Carilion Clinic. Murphy said Carilion Clinic employees and others will be encouraged to walk the 13.1-mile half marathon.

Ellis L. Gutshall, President and CEO of Valley Bank echoed those thoughts. “We have a wonderful city nestled in the mountains, and this marathon showcases all of it. We feel like it’s a perfect fit for Valley Bank.”

Roanoke-based Fink’s Jewelers in partnership with Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer will be the official time keeper for the event, and will also provide watches valued at $5,000 to the overall men’s and women’s winners. “The Blue Ridge Marathon is going to be a great thing for Roanoke and I knew Fink’s needed to be a part of it. TAG Heuer is our leading timepiece for the sports enthusiast, so it was a natural fit,” said owner, Marc Fink. Fink’s will also provide a $500 gift certificate toward Tag Heuer merchandise to all participants of the event.

The inaugural National College Blue Ridge Marathon begins and ends in downtown Roanoke. Marathon runners will ascend Mill Mountain and later Roanoke Mountain before returning to the Valley for the final 10 miles on rolling terrain. A substantial portion of the run is on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Organizers felt the best way to attract a national audience was to create an event that stood out.

“We are seeing the desire of runners to come here to match themselves against this course,” said Race Co-Chair Pete Eshelman, who is also director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership one of the event’s Switchback sponsors. “We are excited that the business community is embracing our vision,” he said. Eshelman pointed out that the committee has many more sponsorships available and hoped to be making more announcements soon.