Airtricity announced as new Title Sponsor for 2013 Dublin City Marathon

Some good news for the Dublin City Marathon! Back in May of 2012, the organisers of the Dublin City Marathon announced that they had lost a main sponsor for their event. Back in April of this year, they announced even more cut backs with a reduction in the prize money and the elite fields. Considering that the Dublin City Marathon is the 7th largest Marathon in Europe by size, it seemed crazy that it couldn't get proper sponsorship.

On Wednesday the 26th of June, it was announced that Airtricity will now sponsor the Dublin City Marathon and the race series.

Here is the press release below...
Airtricity, Ireland’s greenest and second-largest energy provider, was today announced as the new title sponsor of the Dublin Marathon. This partnership also includes the Race Series, which will take place in Swords and the Phoenix Park in June, July, August and September 2013 in preparation for the main Marathon event. This announcement was made earlier today by Airtricity Dublin Marathon Race Director Jim Aughney, in the company of Stephen Wheeler, Airtricity Managing Director, and fitness expert and TV Broadcaster Karl Henry at the official launch at the 5 Mile Mark in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Last year, a record of over 14,000 people participated in the Dublin Marathon and over 20,000 people took part across the Race Series in the months leading up. The economic value of the Airtricity Dublin Marathon to the city and county of Dublin over the October Bank Holiday weekend is estimated at over €10 million.

Welcoming the new sponsorship Airtricity Dublin Marathon Race Director Jim Aughney commented:...“We are delighted to have Airtricity on board as our new title sponsor this year. Airtricity shares our vision and aims for the growth of the Dublin Marathon. It is a huge endorsement of what we have achieved to date, and strong support for our development plans, to have such a sponsor involved. Airtricity has a great history of supporting events in Ireland and we look forward to developing a long-term relationship with them."

Stephen Wheeler, Airtricity Managing Director, commented:...“As someone who ran my first Dublin Marathon in 2011, I’m delighted that Airtricity is the new energy behind this well-loved Dublin and national sporting event. Airtricity is a proud supporter of Irish Sport at all levels. Through our investment as title sponsor of the Airtricity League, as Official Energy Partner to the FAI and its international teams, and as a supporter of local sports clubs nationwide through our wind farm community funds, we’re doing more to give back to local and national sporting clubs and events. Now, through our sponsorship of the Airtricity Dublin Marathon, we’re helping to support the marathon and race series at this important stage in its development and growth.”

Well-known fitness expert and TV Broadcaster Karl Henry said:...“It is great to see Airtricity come on board and give the Dublin Marathon a huge boost ahead of this year’s event. With over 14,000 participants last year, the marathon and race series is a fantastic way to get out and get fit. With today’s boost, hopefully more and more people will sign up and ensure that the 2013 Airtricity Dublin Marathon will surpass last year’s level and create new records.” 

The Airtricity Dublin Marathon takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th October 2013. 

2013 Airtricity Race Series
5 Mile run – Saturday 29 June, Phoenix Park
Fingal 10K run – Sunday 21 July, Swords
Frank Duffy 10 Mile run – Saturday 24 August, Phoenix Park
Dublin Half Marathon – Saturday 21 September, Phoenix Park
Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2013 - Monday October 28th 2013

What this actually means in reality, we'll have to wait to see. I presume there will b live TV coverage? Will it change the elite fields or prize money? At least for now, it secures the future of the event.

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