TORONTO June 5, 2017 –
Global athletic leader New Balance will become the official Athletic sponsor of the IAAF Gold Label Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, in a new multi-year agreement announced today. In addition to financial support, New Balance will greatly enhance the complete runner experience from the moment training programs begin at Running Room stores the week of June 19th. Complementing the official training programs will be community events featuring athlete appearances and the chance to test-drive New Balance shoes and gear, all the way up to race day on October 22nd. New Balance will bring exciting activation to the Race Weekend Expo, including their innovative high-performance apparel that will feature in the event’s Official Merchandise Program. New Balance will also bring a range of activation to the race day experience including support for the Pacer Program in both the marathon and half marathon.
“This is a perfect partnership between two, globally recognized, premier running brands,” said Canada Running Series president, Alan Brookes. “Our values are so strongly aligned, with a passion for both sport and community – and a proven commitment to Canadian road running at all levels. New Balance has always been a strong supporter of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, at the Expo, and through the participation of their top Team NB sponsored athletes like Olympians Eric Gillis and Reid Coolsaet, Rachel Hannah and Dayna Pidhoresky. We’re excited to take this natural partnership to the next level and bring further benefits to all our participants.”
Eric Gillis echoes these sentiments: “I’m very excited with the news that New Balance, my favourite athletic brand, is partnering with Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, which I’ve raced five times and where I’ve qualified for two Olympics. These two running obsessed brands will no doubt work magic together and take the STWM experience to another level. I proudly call this race my hometown marathon, and today, I’m feeling an even stronger connection to this wonderful event!”
“New Balance Canada is excited to partner with an iconic event like the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and connect with thousands of runners from all over the globe. Our brand is synonymous with the sport and this partnership is a great step in helping us achieve our goal of being the World’s Best Running brand. We look forward to working closely with the organizers and the Running Room to elevate the consumer experience and engage at all levels with athletes,” Jon Purdy, Sr. Marketing Manager, New Balance Canada.
New Balance is also the official shoe and apparel sponsor of New York Road Runners and the TCS New York City Marathon, the Virgin Money London Marathon, and the NN Marathon Rotterdam, as they continue to add strategic sponsorships in support of major marathons in leading cities worldwide.
Runners of all levels are encouraged to join in a very special Canadian running experience by registering for the 2017 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Half Marathon or 5K at STWM.ca
About Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
An IAAF Gold Label race, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon is Canada’s premier, big-city running event, the Athletics Canada National Marathon Championships, and the Grand Finale of the 7-race Canada Running Series. In 2016 it attracted 26,000 participants from 70 countries, raised $3.24 million for 182 charities through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, and contributed an estimated $35 million to the local economy. The livestream broadcast was watched by more than 72,000 viewers from 129 countries. STWM.ca
About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host. New Balance is the only major company to make or assemble more than 4 million pairs of athletic footwear per year in the USA, which represents a limited portion of our US sales. Where the domestic value is at least 70%, we label our shoes Made in the USA. New Balance owns five factories in New England and one in Flimby, U.K. New Balance employs more than 5,000 associates around the globe, and in 2015 reported worldwide sales of $3.72 billion. To learn more about New Balance, please visit http://www.newbalance.com and for the latest press information please visit http://newbalance.newsmarket.com
Media Contacts
Alan Brookes, Race Director, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon
alan@canadarunningseries.com, 416-464-7437
Victoria Siemon, Marketing Associate – Running, New Balance
victoria.siemon@newbalance.com, 289-290-6063
