"The Great American Road Race" to celebrate 40th edition in 2012
FALMOUTH, Mass. - The Falmouth Road Race will be seeking a new title sponsor for the 39th running of the race that is scheduled for Sunday, August 14, 2011.
CIGNA, a Philadelphia-based global health services company and the title sponsor since 2006, informed race directors that they would not be renewing.
The race directors will immediately begin the search, with an eye toward the 40th celebration in 2012 of what has been called "The Great American Road Race".
"Working with the professional people who put together the Falmouth Road Race and being involved in this world class event has been a positive and rewarding experience. It is a well-run event with a rich history, and we are very proud to have been a part of this tradition," said Patricia Caballero, Director, Events and Sponsorship for CIGNA.
Dr. Richard C. Adams, president of the race's board of directors, said, "CIGNA has been a terrific partner for the race since they joined us in 2006, and we will miss working with them. But the race will move on and begin a vigorous search for a new sponsor."
The Falmouth Road Race is one of the top non-marathon events on the international circuit and past race champions have included Hall-of-Famers and Olympians such as Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Lynn Jennings, Colleen De Reuck, Lornah Kiplagat and Catherine Ndereba.
The race was founded in 1973 and was named "Best USA Road Race" by Runner's World magazine. It has also been featured in Life Magazine, Sports Illustrated and Fitness magazine, as well as on CBS television and ESPN. In 2005, it was named in Sports Illustrated "One of the 25 essential things to do in the summer." It was the only road race listed.
The seven mile race from the drawbridge in Woods Hole to the finish line by the beach in Falmouth Heights is one of the highlights of summer on Cape Cod. Along with the world's elite, 10,000 runners complete the scenic course with an estimated 50,000 spectators lining the route. More than 15,000 apply to enter the race, and a lottery is held to fill the field. Visit: FalmouthRoadRace.com.
Proceeds from the race benefit Falmouth school programs and sports teams, youth organizations and Cape-based community groups. The Numbers-for-Nonprofits program supports 72 charities. More than 1,000 runners raised more than $1.5 million at the 2010 race on Sunday, August 15.
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