FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Karen Kalan, Los Angeles Marathon
310-444-5544 x306
Laurence Cohen, TLC MediaWorks
310-474-5116
Juan Carlos Cruz, Banco Popular
847-994-6442
City of Los Angeles Marathon Signs
Multi-Year Sponsorship Agreement with Banco Popular
Unprecedented $100,000 bonus
goes to the winner of the Banco Popular Challenge
LOS ANGELES - (February 1, 2006) - The City of Los Angeles Marathon has
signed a three-year agreement with Banco Popular. Under the terms of the
agreement, Banco Popular will be designated as the 'Official Bank' of the
Los Angeles Marathon and title sponsor of the event's landmark innovation,
The Challenge, which will officially be known as The Banco Popular
Challenge starting with the 2006 race.
The Banco Popular Challenge is an unprecedented male-versus-female race in
which the women are given a 'head-start' based on statistics compiled from
recent performances by the elite runners in the field. The first person to
cross the finish line receives a $100,000 Banco Popular Challenge bonus and
a $35,000 cash prize for being first in his or her division, making it the
largest guaranteed first place payout in the United States. The Banco
Popular Challenge adds an element of excitement for athletes, spectators
and television viewers as the elite men and women battle to be the first to
cross the finish line.
"Banco Popular's sponsorship represents a significant milestone for the Los
Angeles Marathon," said Los Angeles Marathon President Dr. William Burke.
"For the first time in our 21-year history, we now have a title or
presenting sponsor for all our events."
In addition to the Banco Popular Challenge, the City of Los Angeles
Marathon presented by Honda also includes the Acura L.A. Bike Tour, the
Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk and the Emerald Nuts Quality of Life Expo.
"Banco Popular is very excited to partner with the L.A. Marathon, which
over the past twenty years has become a premier event in the community we
serve," said Banco Popular's Regional Executive Vernon Aguirre. "As we
continue to grow in this area, our 112 year old financial institution
continues its track record of supporting the communities it serves by
helping our customers reach their financial goals. We pride ourselves in
the fact that we care for our customers unlike any community bank; our
relationship-oriented approach is second to none."
With one of its bank branches on the course and several staff members
training to run the race, Banco Popular intends to have a significant
presence before, during and after race day.
"We could not be more thrilled to have Banco Popular on board as the
first-ever title sponsor of The Banco Popular Challenge and fully
appreciate their genuine commitment to serving the community," said L.A.
Marathon President Dr. William Burke.
The 21st running of the City of Los Angeles Marathon presented by Honda
will take place the weekend of March 17-19, with the run beginning at
8:15am Sunday, March 19, 2006. Prior to Sunday's race, the weekend's
activities include the two-day Emerald Nuts Quality of Life Expo taking
place on March 17-18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Other sponsors
of the weekend include Acura, American Airlines, Emerald Premium Snacks,
NBC 4, Saucony and Telemundo 52. The race will be broadcast live on NBC 4
and Telemundo 52 from 8:00am to noon and on the worldwide web at NBC4.tv.
The Los Angeles Marathon, a Running USA Founding Member, is the largest
marathon held in California, the fourth largest in the country and the
seventh largest in the world. It is expected to draw more than 25,000
runners from 50 states and 100 countries in 2006. For more race
information, visit: LAMarathon.com
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