United Airlines Joins Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon as Major Sponsor

DENVER , Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines announced Wednesday it hassigned on as a sponsor of the first annual Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathonto be held in the Spring of 2006.

With the sponsorship, United becomes the official airline of the Post-NewsC olorado Colfax Marathon, which will welcome international athletes and local competitors to Colfax Avenue when it debuts May 21, 2006 .

"United Airlines is a great addition to the Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon family," said Dr. Jay Gershen , Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and President of the marathon's Board of Directors. "They will be essential in helping us build a truly world-class event that will continue for years to come."

United joins an impressive list of sponsors which includes the Denver Newspaper Agency, University of Colorado Hospital, FirstBank, Keller Williams, KUSA 9-News, Hyatt Regency Denver , the Daniels Fund, A.B. Hirschfeld Press, Craig Hospital and the cities of Aurora, Denver and Lakewood.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, United will work with marathon organizers to promote the event. United says it will also actively engage employees to participate in the full or half-marathon or the five-person relayas a way to promote health and community involvement in all levels of the airline.

Sonya Jackson , United's director of Corporate Social Investment, says the airline is "thrilled" to be a sponsor of the Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon. "The marathon is about uniting communities and promoting good health and fitness among all Coloradoans," Jackson said. "We are excited to help promote those goals and we look forward to working with the marathon officials, participants and others to make this historical occasion asuccess."

Denver City councilwoman and marathon board member, Jeanne Robb praised the sponsorship agreement calling it a win-win for United, the marathon and the people of Denver. "This is a world class airline joining a world-class city to organize a world-class marathon and running event," Robb said.

The Inaugural Post-News Colorado Colfax Marathon offers athletes of all levels the opportunity to run the length of America's longest main street,Colfax Avenue. Events include a full and half-marathon and a five-person relay. In addition, the marathon is proud to host the 2006 Wheelchair Marathon Championships and the 2006 USA Track and Field Club Marathon Relay Championships. The Colfax Marathon Partnership is also working with school districts in Aurora, Denver and Lakewood to establish the Marathon Milers Program, which encourages elementary and middle school-aged children to train for and participate in a one-mile run on race day.

Net proceeds from the marathon will go to Colorado Kids, a charity dedicated to preventing obesity and promoting fitness and health for elementary school children. Colorado Kids will grant funds to school district foundations and other nonprofit organizations that support youth fitness.

About the Colfax Marathon Partnership:

The Colfax Marathon Partnership, Inc., is a Colorado non-profitcorporation founded by the cities of Aurora, Denver and Lakewood. Its missionis to produce an annual high caliber marathon that contributes to theredevelopment of the Colfax Avenue corridor, promotes health and fitness amongyouth and adults and benefits local charitable organizations engaged in youthfitness. Current event sponsors include the Denver Newspaper Agency,University of Colorado Hospital, FirstBank, Keller Williams, KUSA 9-News,Hyatt Regency Denver , the Daniels Fund, A.B. Hirschfeld Press, Craig Hospital,while supporting partners include local school districts and more than twentyarea non-profit organizations.

SOURCE United Airlines

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