Posted: January 7, 2004

Athletics: Sponsors Line Up for Spirit of St. Louis Marathon Weekend

ST. LOUIS, MO - Local companies are showing more support than ever for the non-profit Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend, April 2-4, 2004. To date, 28 companies have signed on as sponsors.

Significant first-time contributors include Energizer Battery, Inc., Panera Bread Company and KTVI-TV (Fox 2). Other new sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri/St. Louis, the Civic Entrepreneurial Organization, Mercy Health Plans for Volunteer Appreciation and Schnucks.

Support among returning contributors is also strong with KMOX as the exclusive radio sponsor and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch headlining the Marathon Weekend's Health & Fitness Expo. Emerson, CLIF Bar, and Pine Valley Water have also pledged their continuing support. Additional contributors include Lockton Companies, Spartech Corporation, McBride & Son, Fastsigns of Bridgeton, THF Realty, Beech-Nut, The Pasta House Company, The St. Louis Sports Commission, the Saint Louis Track Club, Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Graphic Advantage, the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC), Esco Technology, KETC-TV (PBS), Arnold Worldwide and Atomicdust.

"It's highly rewarding to see a growing level of enthusiasm from the local business community, as well as the confidence exhibited by our returning sponsors," said Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend President Nancy Lieberman. "This type of commitment to the Marathon Weekend, with the mission of promoting health and fitness, ensures our success in providing participants from our city, region and nation with first-class running and walking events."

A highlight of the Marathon Weekend is the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Women's Marathon on April 3, which will be presented by Anheuser-Busch.

For more information on the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend call 314-727-0800 or visit www.stlouismarathon.com.