The city has secured a three-year sponsorship deal for the race with American sporting goods retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc, ensuring it will also be run in 2010 and 2011.
The value of the sponsorship deal is undisclosed, but Dick’s have promised to bring back the $25,000 prize purse, split between the top male and female runners.
Sleep and respiratory product manufacturer Respironics will sponsor a Half Marathon, and The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC Sports Medicine) will be the medical sponsor, putting on training seminars during the year and helping runners on the course.
UPMC Sports Medicine was the last lead sponsor of the event, in 2003, but declined the role for the 2004 race because it was preparing to host the 2005 Senior Olympics.
Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said it is likely that the public will cover the cost of policing and public works. “We're close enough that we know this is going to be possible,” said Mr. Onorato, “and I think the impact is going to be phenomenal.”
