Abbott to support six renowned marathons as World Marathon Majors' title sponsor

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott and the World Marathon Majors on Friday announced a new partnership with Abbott becoming the race series' first-ever title sponsor. The series — comprising six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW BERLIN, Bank of America Chicago and TCS New York City Marathon — will be renamed the Abbott World Marathon Majors starting in 2015.

 

Through the new global partnership, Abbott aims to create opportunities for the company to demonstrate and bring to life its core mission of helping people unlock all that life has to offer through the power of health. This mission will be expressed through the company's new brand line — "Life. To the Fullest." — as part of its communications and branding efforts around each of the races.

 

"Abbott has always been about delivering the enabling power of health so that people — in all places, aspects and stages of life — can achieve more and live not just longer but better," said Paul Magill, SVP and chief marketing officer, Abbott. "Whether you're stepping out to walk or run your first mile or training to complete a marathon, good health is the starting point for accomplishing your best. This partnership is an important building block for us as we build our corporate identity around the world."

 

 

"As the global leader in elite and mass participation marathons, the World Marathon Majors shows how people — wherever they're from in the world — are capable of doing amazing things when they're at their healthiest," added Carey Pinkowski, Bank of America Chicago Marathon executive race director. "As a company that helps people around the globe achieve their goals through better health, Abbott is a natural fit as the first-ever title sponsor of the World Marathon Majors."

 

"BMW BERLIN-MARATHON runners are unified in the sacrifices they've made just to get to the start line and their commitment to being the best they can be through good health," said BMW BERLIN-MARATHON race director, Mark Milde. "So we're excited to welcome Abbott, a company whose mission is to help people achieve their goals through better health, to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2015 as the title sponsor of the World Marathon Majors."

 

Abbott's race activation will include a pre-race expo presence; Abbott employee engagement such as dedicated on-course cheer zones; and event and on-course signage.