HOUSTON (October 11, 2016) - The Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) and DICK'S Sporting Goods today announced that DICK'S Sporting Goods has partnered with the HMC, host of the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and ABB 5K. The 2017 Race Weekend of Events will take place January 13-15, 2017.
As part of the agreement, DICK'S will host a pre-race Stretching Zone in the George R. Brown Convention Center and a post-race Stretching Zone in the We Are Houston RunFest. Also at RunFest, runners who achieve a personal best in the race can capture the moment by ringing a DICK'S branded PR Bell that will offer a photo opportunity for race participants.
"We are excited to announce this partnership with DICK'S Sporting Goods because our organizations share similar core values in regards to enhancing the participant experience on race weekend and supporting the local running community year-round," said Houston Marathon Committee and Foundation Executive Director Wade Morehead. "They truly understand how to activate at endurance events in a manner that is engaging to the runners while also providing conveniences and services that benefit all participants on race weekend. Additionally, their support of our Foundation's We Run Houston after school running program will help us reach more kids in the community, and it is truly appreciated."
The two-year agreement with DICK'S includes the presenting sponsorship of the Houston Marathon Foundation's We Are Houston after school running program that serves students throughout the Greater Houston Region. This program works with students to help them to set and achieve short and long term goals, teach healthy habits, build self-esteem and improve overall health and wellness while training for the Aramco Houston Half Marathon or ABB 5K.
"Along with opening our stores in Houston, we are thrilled to support the surrounding communities. At DICK'S, we believe that sports make people better, and the marathon is a great example of that," said Dave Natale, Director of Sports & Event Marketing.
The nation's largest sporting goods retailer will celebrate the opening of 10 stores in the Houston area, with the three-day celebration beginning on Friday, October 21. Six DICK'S locations will open in Baybrook Mall, Deerbrook Mall, First Colony Mall, The Woodlands Mall, Willowbrook Mall and The Shoppes ParkWest. For more information on the grand opening, visit DICKS.com/Houston.
About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) annually organizes the nation's premier winter marathon, half-marathon, and 5K. Over 250,000 participants, volunteers and spectators make Chevron Houston Marathon Race Day the largest single-day sporting event in Houston. A founding member of Running USA, the HMC is an IAAF bronze level event that retained Gold Certification from the Council of Responsible Sport and was awarded the AIMS Green Award for industry-leading sustainability initiatives. Race Weekend generates over $50 million in economic impact for the region annually. In 2016, the Run for a Reason Charity Program raised $2.3 million, while the Houston Marathon Foundation supported youth and community running initiatives. Televised annually by broadcast partner ABC13, 2016 was the first time that the event was syndicated live nationally and internationally on ESPN3 and the Longhorn Network. Host to 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships since 2005 and the 1992 women's Olympic Trials Marathon, the HMC also conducted the 2012 men's and women's U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon.
About DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc.
Founded in 1948, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Inc. is a leading omni-channel sporting goods retailer offering an extensive assortment of authentic, high-quality sports equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. As of July 30, 2016, the Company operated more than 645 DICK'S Sporting Goods locations across the United States, serving and inspiring athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to achieve their personal best through a blend of dedicated associates, in-store services and unique specialty shop-in-shops dedicated to Team Sports, Athletic Apparel, Golf, Lodge/Outdoor, Fitness and Footwear. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, DICK'S also owns and operates Golf Galaxy, Field & Stream, True Runner and Chelsea Collective specialty stores. DICK'S offers its products through a content-rich eCommerce platform that is integrated with its store network and provides customers with the convenience and expertise of a 24-hour storefront. For more information, visit the Press Room or Investor Relations pages at DICKS.com.
For more information, visit ChevronHoustonMarathon.com or call 713.957.3453.
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