Posted: April 19, 2006

Athletics: MDI Marathon Signs Red Lobster as 1st Title Sponsor

The 2006 Mount Desert Island Marathon race committee announced on April 6th a partnership with Red Lobster, the first title sponsorship in the marathon’s history.

The MDI Marathon was founded in 2002 and has enjoyed steady growth with participants from across the United States and beyond. MDI organizers said they are thrilled to work with Red Lobster, the world’s largest casual dining seafood restaurant.

“Maine is renowned for its fresh, high-quality lobster,” said Kent Wilson, Vice President of Brand Marketing for Red Lobster. “So helping to support the Mount Desert Island Marathon is a natural for us.”

The 26.2-mile MDI Marathon will be held on Sunday, October 15th. The route begins in Bar Harbor and travels past seaside vistas, the rugged granite mountains of Acadia National Park, quaint village centers, and Somes Sound - the only natural fjord in the eastern US. The race was named the “Most Scenic Sporting Event in the US” by Eco-Marathon, and one of the “Fifty Great US Marathons” by Rainmaker Publishing.

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Race organizers said Red Lobster’s sponsorship will help propel the event to even more people. “Marathons have become the common man’s Mount Everest,” said Gary Allen, the race’s founder and director. “Partnering with Red Lobster will help us reach a broader audience so more people can enjoy the benefits of this great sport.” The marathon’s starting field is currently limited to the first 1,000 registrants. More information may be found at www.mdimarathon.org.

With 680 restaurants across the United States and Canada, Red Lobster is credited with introducing many consumers to their first taste of lobster, in addition to other seafood such as jumbo shrimp, snow crab legs and tilapia.

As Americans seek to improve their health, scientists recommend increased physical exercise as well as eating more seafood. The American Heart Association recommends people eat seafood at least twice a week and the new USDA Food Pyramid suggests consumers eat fish such as salmon that are high in heart-healthy Omega 3 fatty acids. Research suggests a diet rich in seafood can help prevent some forms of hearth disease and may also increase mental alertness in seniors.

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